Machame route 7 days Kilimanjaro climbing tour Overview
The Machame route, also known as the "Whiskey" route, is the most popular and beautiful route to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro. Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore, this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking or backpacking experience. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, begining with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate.
The path leads hikers through the rain forest to Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro’s routes converge. The climb begins in the lush rainforest and follows a path that offers occasional views of Mt Meru, Shira Ridge as well the main summit of Mt Kilimanjaro – Kibo. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route and Overnights on the Machame Route will be in tents.
On the 7-day Machame route, the trek from Barranco to Barafu is broken up into two days, allowing for a short day just prior to the summit attempt. This is important because summit day begins very early, around midnight, so climbers are sleep deprived going into the toughest day on the mountain. By having a short day beforehand, climbers can be better rested. The 7-day Machame route is highly recommended.
7 days Machame route tour highlights
- DAY 0 of 7 days Machame: Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi/ Arusha
- DAY 1 of 7 days Machame: Moshi/ Arusha – Machame gate – Machame camp
- DAY 2 of 7 days Machame: Machame camp – Shira 2 camp
- DAY 3 of 7 days Machame: Shira 2 camp – Lava tower – Barranco camp
- DAY 4 of 7 days Machame: Barranco camp – Karanga
- DAY 5 of 7 days Machame: Karanga – Barafu camp
- DAY 6 of 7 days Machame: Barafu camp – Uhuru Peak (summit point) – Mweka camp
- DAY 7 of 7 days Machame: Mweka camp – Mweka gate – Back to Moshi
DAY 0: ARRIVAL AT ARUSHA/KILIMANJARO AIRPORT – MOSHI | MACHAME ROUTE 7 DAYS
Upon arrival at Arusha/Kilimanjaro Airport you will meet a guide who will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi Tanzania. For budget hotels we recommend KILIMANJARO WHITE HOUSE HOTEL. Settle into your accommodation, relax and get used to the African atmosphere. Ready to start your 7 DAYS KILIMANJARO HIKING TOUR VIA MACHAME ROUTE the next day.
OVERNIGHT STAY; KILIMANJARO WHITE HOUSE HOTEL (Optional) BUDGET LODGE (HOTEL):
- NAME OF THE HOTEL: KILIMANJARO WHITE HOUSE HOTEL
- ACCOMMODATIONS: BED AND BREAKFAST
- HOTEL LOCATION: MOSHI -KILIMANJARO
- ROOM TYPE: SINGLE/ DOUBLE
DAY 1: MOSHI – MACHAME GATE – MACHAME CAMP | Machame 7 days Kilimanjaro
After breakfast you will be picked up at the lodge and taken to the Kilimanjaro entrance gate. While your guide is busy with the registration forms, you can be preparing yourself for the climb and once this is all done, your Kilimanjaro adventure will begin. In no time you will be deep within the magnificent mountain rainforest with ancient trees, primeval ferns, liana, lichen and moss that carpets the ground and drapes from the trees. You will hear and with a little luck, even spot the beautiful black and white colobus monkeys in the treetops.
After 5 to 6 hours, you will reach Machame Camp which is situated just above the tree line. Here, at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro, you will have your first dinner followed by an overnight stay in tents.
- Elevation (ft):5,400 - 9,400ft
- Altitude (m):1,790m - 3010m
- Distance covered: 11km
- Time to be used: 5-7 hour
- Habitat: Rain Forest
- Meals: Lunch and Dinne
- Accommodation: Machame camp
OVERNIGHT STAY AT MTI MKUBWA CAMP (PUBLIC CAMPSITE):
- NAME OF THE CAMP: MACHAME CAMP
- ACCOMMODATIONS: FULL BOARD
- CAMP LOCATION: MACHAME
- ROOM TYPE: SINGLE/ DOUBLE
DAY 2: MACHAME CAMP – SHIRA 2 CAMP | Kilimanjaro 7 days Tour via Machame
After an early morning start, the path steepens. The landscape changes into heath and moorland and the open landscape allows you to see the impressive mountain range. Today’s stage is shorter than the previous day and you will arrive at the New Shira Camp by mid-afternoon. The camp has a breath-taking view of the mountain and during sunset, the evening sun lights the rock face and glacier of Kibo.
- Altitude: 3,010 m to 3,845m
- Distance Covered: 5km
- Time to be used: 4 - 6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitant: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
- Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp
OVERNIGHT STAY AT SHIRA 1 CAMP (PUBLIC CAMPSITE):
- NAME OF THE CAMP: SHIRA 2 CAMP
- ACCOMMODATIONS: FULL BOARD
- CAMP LOCATION: SHIRA
- ROOM TYPE: SINGLE/ DOUBLE
DAY 3: SHIRA 2 CAMP – LAVA TOWER - BARRANCO CAMP | MACHAME TOUR 7 DAYS
Today you will climb about 800 m but you will be camping at an elevation only slightly higher than the previous night. This will allow your body to acclimatize as a height of over 4,500 m will be reached over the next two days. The trek begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower. From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth”.
Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. The vegetation becomes sparser as the landscape changes to an afro-alpine desert. The route passes through the sweeping Barranco Valley with its lobelia and giant senecio plants. After 6 to 7 hours, you will arrive at the most beautiful camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp.
- Altitude: 3,845 m to 3,845m to 3,960m
- Distance Covered: 10 km
- Time to be used: 6-8 hours.
- Habitat: Health
- Habitat: Semi Desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Barranco camp
OVERNIGHT STAY AT MOIR HUT CAMP (PUBLIC CAMPSITE):
- NAME OF THE CAMP: BARRANCO CAMP
- ACCOMMODATIONS: FULL BOARD
- CAMP LOCATION: BARRANCO
- ROOM TYPE: SINGLE/ DOUBLE
DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP | KILIMANJARO TOUR VIA MACHAME ROUTE
After sleeping below the Great Barranco Wall, you get your chance to tackle this hurdle. Don’t worry…It’s much easier than it looks. Continue up until you reach just below the Heim Glacier. Then head down through the Karanga Valley. This is the last place for your porters to gather water. They will collect all the water for the remainder of the ascent here. You will settle in here at the Karanga Camp. After lunch, you can spend the afternoon doing light exploring or resting while taking in the views of Mawenzi’s towering spires.
- Altitude: 3,960 m to 4,035m
- Distance Covered: 7km
- Time to be used: 4-5hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Karanga Camp
OVERNIGHT STAY AT KARANGA CAMP (PUBLIC CAMPSITE):
- NAME OF THE CAMP: KARANGA CAMP
- ACCOMMODATIONS: FULL BOARD
- CAMP LOCATION: KARANGA
- ROOM TYPE: SINGLE/ DOUBLE
DAY 5: KARANGA CAMP - BARAFU CAMP | KILIMANJARO 7 DAYS MACHAME ROUTE
Awakening to the sunlight dancing off the Kibo Summit, you will enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting out to today’s destination – Barafu Camp. Most of the day will be spent walking through very dry desertic terrain, with Kibo ever present on your left side. After 3 to 4 hours, you will reach Barafu Camp, where you will have an early dinner and night as the highlight of your trip is only a few short hours away. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.
Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position. Once at the camp, you can relax, have dinner and call it an early night.
- Altitude: 4035 m to 4,640 m to 4863m
- Elevation: 13,235 ft to 16,076 ft
- Distance Covered: 6 km
- Time to be used: 3-4 hrs
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Barafu Camp
OVERNIGHT STAY AT BARAFU/KOSOVO CAMP (PUBLIC CAMPSITE):
- NAME OF THE CAMP: BARAFU/KOSOVO CAMP
- ACCOMMODATIONS: FULL BOARD
- CAMP LOCATION: BARAFU/KOSOVO
- ROOM TYPE: SINGLE/ DOUBLE
DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP – UHURU PEAK CAMP – MWEKA CAMP | 7 DAYS MACHAME KILIMANJARO
After a cup of hot tea and a light snack, the climb begins at around midnight from Kosovo camp. We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
| Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak | Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp |
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OVERNIGHT STAY AT MWEKA CAMP (PUBLIC CAMPSITE):
- NAME OF THE CAMP: MWEKA CAMP
- ACCOMMODATIONS: FULL BOARD
- CAMP LOCATION: MWEKA
- ROOM TYPE: SINGLE/ DOUBLE
DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP - MWEKA GATE - BACK TO MOSHI | LAST DAY OF MACHAME TOUR
The final leg of your amazing adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. Then a gentle 2 to 3 hours’ descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate, where your driver will be waiting for you. He will take you back and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to relax, relax at the pool or celebrate your achievement. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!
- Altitude: 3,080 m to 1,630m
- Distance Covered: 9.3km km down
- Time to be used: 2 - 3 hrs
- Habitat: Rain Forest
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
OVERNIGHT STAY AT CRATER CAMP (PUBLIC CAMPSITE):
- NAME OF THE CAMP: CRATER CAMP
- ACCOMMODATIONS: FULL BOARD
- CAMP LOCATION: CRATER
- ROOM TYPE: SINGLE/ DOUBLE
OVERNIGHT STAY; MOSHI WHITE HOUSE HOTEL (Optional) BUDGET LODGE (HOTEL):
- NAME OF THE HOTEL: KILIMANJARO WHITE HOUSE HOTEL
- ACCOMMODATIONS: BED AND BREAKFAST
- HOTEL LOCATION: MOSHI -KILIMANJARO
- ROOM TYPE: DOUBLE
Machame 7 days Kilimanjaro tour Price Inclusions and Exclusions
About 7 days Machame route tour price inclusions and exclusions
The following are the things that will be included to the machame route 7 days package price and the things that will be excluded in the package's price. The price also it involves all the activities that will be done before and after Kilimanjaro climbing.
7 days Machame tour Price Inclusions
- Tourist Entry Park Fees and Bike entry fee
- Experienced Professional Tour guide
- All taxes
- Gate transfer, Airport pick up and Drop up
- Crew Wages
- 2-nights Budget Hotel Accommodation – Before and after Trekking
- Private Cook and Porters
7 days Machame tour Price Exclusions
- Tips (Gratituities) to Guides, Cook and Porters
- Local and International flights
- Mountain Climbing Gears
- Visa & Travel insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature