7 Days Machame Route

Tour Details
Itinerary
Book Now

Booking Form

COUNTRIES

Tanzania

TYPE

Trekking

ARIVAL

Moshi, Kilimanjaro

DIPARTURE

Moshi, Kilimanjaro

DURATION

7 Days

ROUTE

NOTE

Difficulty: Medium

Scenery: Excellent

Traffic: High

Start & End: Moshi, Kilimanjaro

BUDGET

On Request

Includes

Airport Transfers (to and from the Airport)
Clean, purified drinking water
All meals while on the Mountain
Rescue Fees and all taxes.
Sleeping Mats
Kilimanjaro entrance/conservation fees
Salaries for Porters, Cook, and Guides
Kilimanjaro Camping fees
Oxygen Tanks, Oximeter, & First Aid Kit
Quality Sleeping tents shared by 2 clients
Mess tents, Crew tents, Table, Chairs, eating utensils, cooking equipment.
Transfers from Hotel to Kilimanjaro entrance gate and from Kilimanjaro exit gate to the hotel

Excludes

International and local airfare
Yellow fever vaccinations
Passport, Visa, and Travelers Insurance
Tips for the support team
Private Toilet and hot shower tent
Bed, Sleeping Bag, and walking Poles.
Personal nature expenses eg: Laundry
Local transport before & after the climb.
Optional tours not mentioned in itinerary.

Itinerary Description

Known as the Whisky Route, this is one of the most scenic and therefore popular routes on the mountain and offers adventurous climbers stunning scenic outlooks. With paths through magnificent forests to gain a ridge leading through the moorland zones to late sunsets at Shira Plateau to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco Wall.

It then traverses beneath the glaciated precipices of the Southern Ice fields to join the Barafu Route to the summit. Because it can be done over longer periods and the incline is more manageable it has a much higher success rate of summit.

Day By Day Itinerary

Day 1

MACHAME GATE – MACHAME CAMP: 10.75k /7mi | 5-6 hrs | Rainforest

Elevation: 1811m/5942ft to 3021m/9911ft

Altitude gained: 1210m

Departing from Moshi a 45-minute drive will take you through the Village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

Day 2

MACHAME CAMP – SHIRA CAMP: 5.3km/3mi | 4-5hrs | Moorland

Elevation:3021m/9911ft to 3839m/12,595ft

Altitude gained: 818m

After a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite. Temperatures begin to drop

Day 3

SHIRA CAMP – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP: 10.75km/6mi | 5-6hrs | Semi-Desert

Elevation: 3839m/12,595ft to 3986m/13,077ft

Altitude gained:m 147

Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.

Day 4

BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP: 5.2km/3mi | 3-4hrs | Alpine Desert

Elevation:3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft

Altitude gained: 48m

After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

Day 5

HIKE KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP: 3.3km /2 mi | 3-4hrs | Alpine Desert

Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft

Altitude gained: 628m

Distance: 4 km | 2 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

Day 6

BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT: 4.86km /3mi up | 5-7hrs | – MWEKA CAMP: 11.5km /7.2mi down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit

Elevation: : 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft

Altitude gained: 1233m

Descent to 3106m/10,190ft

Altitude lost: 2789m

Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.

Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!

After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight Mweka Camp.

Day 7

MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE – MOSHI: 9.1km/6mi |3-4hrs | Rainforest

Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft

Altitude lost: 1473m

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.

From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).

Let Us Plan a Custom Trip for You

CALL US NOW +255622528847 OR START PLANNINGYour Customize Trip

Kilimanjaro Hike

The Best, Hand-Picked Route For Climbing

Kilimanjaro Climb is the best thing you will ever do in your life and if you have already decided to take up this challenge to climb the tallest free-standing mountain in the world

View all Packages

8 Days Lemosho Route

As a newer route, it is more remote and arguably more beautiful, but a bit longer and slightly more expensive.

9 Days Northern Circuit Route

The Northern Circuit route is the newest route up Mount Kilimanjaro and arguably the best.

7 Days Machame Route

Known as the Whisky Route, this is one of the most scenic and therefore popular routes on the mountain

Start Planning Your Trip Now

Every adventure is unique, designed just for you. This collection is here to satisfy your safari appetite.

Enquire Now

Guide

Kilimanjaro Travel Guide

Best Time To Visit Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak and one of the world's Seven Summits

Kilimanjaro Altitude Sickness

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the iconic peak of Africa, is a thrilling adventure, but it

Kilimanjaro Foods

When you are planning a trip, one of the first things that comes to mind is what kind of Food

We're All About Your Satisfaction

Konstantin L

USA

I had a great climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro with Great Lake Expedition. The owner was really responsive in the booking process and had me picked up on the day of arrival.