The 7 Days Machame Route is one of the most scenic and successful routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Known as the "Whiskey Route," it offers breathtaking landscapes, from lush rainforests to alpine deserts, before reaching the iconic Uhuru Peak (5,895m).
This route provides excellent acclimatization, increasing your summit success rate. Trek through diverse terrains, enjoy spectacular views, and experience the adventure of a lifetime with our expert guides and top-notch services.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
- You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 2: Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)
One hour’s drive from Moshi to Machame gate, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 3: Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)
Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.
Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 4: Shira Cave (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 6: Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 7: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m)
We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 8: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome hot shower.
Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 9: Depart Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
Safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.
Meals: Breakfast Included
Ending Point
Kilimanjaro Airport
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
-Private transport (van) to & from Kilimanjaro International -Airport to your accommodations in Moshi
-2 nights of accommodation in Moshi (BB) Panama Garden Resort/Parkview inn hotel
-Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
-Park entry fees
-Camping fees
-Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees
-18% VAT on tour fees & services
-4 Season mountain tents
-Double layered Sleeping Mats 4 inches (10cm) thick
-Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
-3 meals daily while on the mountain
-Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
-Hot water for washing
-Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro -
-Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
-Government taxes
-Portable oxygen tanks
-Ox meter
-Emergency first-aid kit
-Portable flush toilet with a toilet and tent
-Mountain climbing certificates
-Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
-Travel insurance
-Laundry (Available at hotel).
-Personal items and toiletries.
-Tips for guides, porters and cook.
To ensure our quality experience, the party consists of the staff below.
-Me (tour guide)
-Guests
-Mountain guides (assigned based on the 2:1 ratio)
-Porters (to carry equipment and luggage)
-Chef (to prepare meals during the trek)
Feel free to request any kind of tour arrangement.
Greetings! I'm a seasoned Tanzania Guide known as Jackson. I specialize in crafting immersive experiences that blend wildlife safaris, cultural insights, and breathtaking landscapes. What sets me apart is my deep local knowledge, personalized itineraries, and a commitment to sustainable tourism. Join me for a unique journey that goes beyond the ordinary.
$3,000/ per group