Mount Kilimanjaro climbing

7 Days Machame Route

From $1,850 Per Person

Enquire This Tour
}

Duration

7 Days

Accommodation

Camping

Starting Date

Any day of your choice

The Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey Route,” is one of the most scenic and successful routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. This route approaches the summit from the southwestern side of the mountain and offers incredible views, varied landscapes, and excellent acclimatization.

The 7-day Machame itinerary includes an extra acclimatization day, which significantly improves summit success rates. Climbers follow the “climb high, sleep low” principle, allowing the body to adjust gradually to the altitude.

Trekkers pass through five ecological zones: rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and the arctic summit zone before reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa.

This route is ideal for climbers who want spectacular scenery, better acclimatization, and a higher chance of reaching the summit.

Price (Per Person)

Group Size Price
1 Person $2,250
2–4 People $2,050
5+ People $1,850

(Prices may vary depending on season and group size.)

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Machame Gate (1,800 m) – Machame Camp (3,000 m)

  • Distance: 11 km

  • Hiking Time: 5–7 hours

  • Habitat: Rainforest

After breakfast and a briefing from your mountain guide, drive from Arusha or Moshi to Machame Gate, where the climb begins.

After completing park registration, begin trekking through the lush rainforest. The trail is shaded by giant trees covered in moss and lichens, and you may spot colobus monkeys and tropical birds along the way.

Arrive at Machame Camp in the afternoon where your porters will have already prepared the tents.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Machame Camp)

Day 2: Machame Camp (3,000 m) – Shira Camp (3,840 m)

  • Distance: 5 km

  • Hiking Time: 4–6 hours

  • Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, the trail becomes steeper as you leave the rainforest behind and enter the moorland zone.

The path climbs along a ridge with stunning views of Kilimanjaro’s summit and the surrounding landscape.

You will arrive at Shira Camp, located on the beautiful Shira Plateau, where you may also see Mount Meru in the distance on clear days.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Shira Camp)

Day 3: Shira Camp (3,840 m) – Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m)

  • Distance: 7 km

  • Hiking Time: 3–4 hours

  • Habitat: Moorland / Semi-desert

Today is a shorter trekking day designed for acclimatization.

You will trek across the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus on earth. The trail is relatively gentle and offers spectacular views of the Kibo summit.

Arrive at Shira 2 Camp, where you will spend the night while your body continues adapting to the altitude.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Shira 2 Camp)

Day 4: Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m) – Lava Tower (4,630 m) – Barranco Camp (3,960 m)

  • Distance: 10 km

  • Hiking Time: 6–8 hours

  • Habitat: Semi-desert

This is an important acclimatization day.

You will gradually climb to Lava Tower (4,630 m), where you will stop for lunch and enjoy the dramatic volcanic landscape.

Afterwards, descend to Barranco Camp, located beneath the impressive Barranco Wall.

Descending after reaching a higher altitude helps the body adjust and improves the chance of reaching the summit.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Barranco Camp)

Day 5: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) – Karanga Camp (4,035 m)

  • Distance: 5 km

  • Hiking Time: 4–5 hours

  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, climb the famous Barranco Wall, a fun and exciting scramble with spectacular views.

Once at the top, the trail continues across ridges and valleys before reaching Karanga Camp.

This shorter day allows for additional acclimatization and rest before heading to base camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Karanga Camp)

Day 6: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) – Barafu Camp (4,640 m)

  • Distance: 4 km

  • Hiking Time: 3–4 hours

  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

Today you hike toward Barafu Camp, the final base camp before the summit.

The terrain becomes rocky and barren with stunning views of the glaciers above.

After arriving, enjoy an early dinner and rest for a few hours before preparing for the midnight summit ascent.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Barafu Camp)

Day 7: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Mweka Gate

  • Distance: 17 km

  • Hiking Time: 12–14 hours

Around midnight, begin the most challenging and rewarding part of the climb.

Ascend slowly toward Stella Point (5,756 m) on the crater rim before continuing to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa.

After celebrating your achievement and taking photos, descend back to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing down to Mweka Gate.

At the gate, climbers receive their Kilimanjaro summit certificates before being transferred back to their hotel in Arusha or Moshi.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

From $1,850 per person
Price varies by group size

Tour Booking Form

Select Date and No. of Travellers

Contact Information

Price Includes

  • Kilimanjaro National Park fees

  • Professional mountain guides, porters, and cook

  • Accommodation

  • All meals during the trek

  • Drinking water on the mountain

  • Airport transfers

  • Transport from hotel to the mountain gate and back

  • Rescue fees and emergency oxygen

  • Government taxes

Price Excludes

  • International and domestic flights

  • Tanzania visa

  • Travel insurance

  • Personal climbing gear

  • Tips for guides, porters, and cook

  • Personal expenses (laundry, drinks, etc.)

  • Hotel accommodation before and after the climb