Machame Route

The Machame route, commonly referred to as the "Whiskey" route, starts at Machame Gate, which is situated in the lush, dense rainforest at the southern base of Mount Kilimanjaro. We ascend to the Shira Plateau, descend the mountain beneath the Southern Icefield of Kilimanjaro, peak from Barafu Hut, and finally descend by Mweka Gate. It is advised to take the Machame 7 Day itinerary because it shortens some of the daily hikes and offers an extra day for acclimatization.

Day 1: Machame Gate – Machame Camp

Elevation: 1800m – 3000m

Vegetation: Mountain Forest

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to Machame gate (1800m). At the gate you will receive a packed lunch, after completing the necessary registration formalities at Machame National Park gate, our Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking – Machame Route – 7 Days begins to trek through a beautiful and lush forest. We have a picnic lunch on the way.

We camp at Machame Camp (3000m). (5-6 hours walking)

Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp

Elevation: 3000m – 3840m

Vegetation: Moorland

We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily through rocky hills with wide views of the Shira Plateau (3353m). From our camp near Shira Hut (3840m), we take in the unforgettable views of Mt. Meru as she floats among the clouds. (4-5 hours walking)

Day 3: Shira Camp – Barranco Camp

Elevation: 3840m – 3900m

Vegetation: Semi Desert

After a morning of steady ascent and panoramic views, we stop for lunch close to Lava Tower (4630m). The trail then descends to the Barranco Valley's floor (3900m), where we spend the night in the magnificent Barranco Camp, which offers expansive views of the plains far below while being protected by high rocks. (7-9 hours on foot)

Day 4: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp

Elevation: 3900m – 3995m

Vegetation: Alpine Desert

A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with stunning views of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga Camp (3950m), the last water point on the approach to the summit. (5-7 hours walking)

Day 5: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp

Elevation: 3995m – 4600m

Vegetation: Alpine Desert

We follow an easy path on compacted scree with expansive views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach Barafu Hut (4600m) for lunch. There is a short acclimatization hike to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley (4785m). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the early morning final ascent. 3-5 hours walking

Day 6: Barafu Camp – Summit – Mweka Camp

Elevation: 4600m – 5895m peak, descending

Vegetation: Stone scree and iced cape summit

Start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5685), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can continue from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5895m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.

The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshments, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite, Mweka Camp (3100m). (12-15 hours walking)

Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate

Elevation: 3100m – 1980m

Vegetation: Mountain Forest

After having breakfast, we descend steadily on a well-built trail. Through a wonderful tropical forest alive with bird song and boasting rich undergrowth with significant botanical interest. We descend to the Mweka (1980m) entrance to the Kilimanjaro National Park before continuing via coffee and banana plantations to the villages of Mweka, from where we are transported to our accommodation in Moshi where you will spend the night before departure.

Depending on your flight schedule and departure point you will be transferred to the Airport for your journey home, safari, or a relaxing trip to Zanzibar Beach.

The following is included in the Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking - Machame Route - 7 Days:

1. Hotel accommodations for the night before and after the hike (double occupancy)
2. All entrance fees, hut fees, climbing permits, and government taxes associated with Kilimanjaro National Park;
3. Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summiting aid)
4. Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
5.  Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters, and cook
6. Salaries for the mountain crew
7. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
8. Porter to carry your duffel bag (max weight 15kg / 32 lbs)
9. Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt

Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking – Machame Route – 7 Days Excludes:

1. Flights and airport taxes
2. Items of a personal nature
3. Compulsory tips for guides, porters, and cook
4. Highly recommended travel and medical insurance.
5. Personal hiking/trekking gear – we can rent some of the gear from our equipment store in Tanzania
6. Snacks, personal medicine, and water purifying tablets