Overview
Considered to be the most beautiful and scenic of the various routes up Mount Kilimanjaro, the Machame Route is appropriate for more adventurous hikers who wish for a more physically demanding climb than Marangu or Rongai can offer. You can choose to complete this route in either six days or seven days.
One of the most breathtaking and popular routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, the Machame (or ‘Whiskey’) route contains some tough climbing that rewards those who prepare and endure when the going gets tough.
With the addition of an additional day for acclimatization, this route perfectly blends the challenge of the climb with Machame’s natural beauty.
Itinerary
Machame route 6 days
Day 1 - MOSHI - MACHAME CAMP
You’ll be picked up from your Moshi or Arusha accommodations and make the drive to Kilimanjaro National Park.
Here, you’ll liaise with your guides and begin your ascent through the verdant rainforest that clothes the lower reaches of Kilimanjaro.
Hiking for 5-6 hours through this ancient jungle, you’ll get to go on a miniature safari as you spot wildlife such as black and white colobus monkeys along the way.
You’ll finish your day at Machame Camp (3,000 metres), where your porters will be waiting with your tents pitched, hot water ready for bathing, and food ready to reenergise you for the day to come.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2 - MACHAME CAMP - SHIRA CAMP
You’ll be up bright and early today, but it’s a shorter day of hiking. The lush forest gives way to scrubby moorland today, making for an entirely different hiking experience.
You’ll arrive at Shira Camp by the mid-afternoon, giving you time to relax and soak in the stunning views of the Kibo glacier from the Shira Plateau.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 - SHIRA CAMP - LAVA TOWER - BARRANCO CAMP
Your first goal today will be the intimidating form of the Lava Tower (4,640m) and you’ll set off for this distinctive landmark immediately after breakfast.
After ascending 700m to the Lava Tower, you’ll descend gradually towards Barranco Camp at 4,500m.
Your trek again takes you through different vegetation zones and you’ll set up camp at the scenic Barranco Camp in the shadows of the imposing Barranco Wall. Considered the most beautiful of all of the camps on Kilimanjaro, Barranco will be your base for the evening.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 - BARRANCO CAMP - BARAFU CAMP
You’ll get your first real taste of mountain climbing today, as you’ll tackle Barranco Wall for a bit of old-fashioned rock climbing.
After this initial trial, you’ll continue towards the Karanga Valley, where you’ll stop for lunch.
After your meal, you’ll continue on for another 2-3 hours until you reach Barafu Camp.
As you’ll be submitting tomorrow, it’s important that you eat a full meal and drink plenty of fluids before turning in for the evening.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 - BARAFU CAMP - UHURU PEAK - MWEKA CAMP
You’re starting your day early today – just after midnight, in fact!
Your climbing team will wake you with a cup of hot tea and a light snack for energy as you get dressed and prepare your daypack for the adventure ahead.
You’ll be hiking in utter darkness for the next 5-7 hours, so take it slow and you’ll arrive at Stella Point a few hours before dawn. From here, there’s another two hours of intense hiking before you reach your ultimate goal: Uhuru Peak.
Standing at 5,985m, you’ll be able to experience a spectacular sunrise and take in the panoramic view. You’ve done it!
After snapping your photos and soaking it all in, you’ll begin the descent back down towards Barafu Camp, where you’ll stop for lunch and some celebration.
After a bit of rest, you’ll continue down to Mweka Camp to overnight.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinne
DAY 6 - MWEKA CAMP - MOSHI
It’s a day of celebration today, as you’ll enjoy one last breakfast on the mountain before descending to the Mweka Gate.
Here, you’ll get to celebrate with your porters and guides, provide them with their tips for their hard work, and collect your certificate of completion.
Your driver will then whisk you away to your Moshi or Arusha hotel to get some well-earned rest.
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cost Breakdown
Included
National Park fees
Including once-off rescue fee of USD $20 per person. Other National Park fees are charged per person and based on the number of days spent in the Park. These other required fees are: entry fee of USD $70 per day and public campsite fee of USD $50 per night. NOTE: in Marangu they don't have public campsites so we supposed to pay Hut fee which is USD 60 per person per night,
VAT
From the government
Wages
For Guides, Assistant Guides, cooks and porters consistent with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP)
Transport
to and from airport to Hotel
to and from Hotel to National Park Gate (starting point)
Fresh local ingredients for three meals per day during the hiking and filtered drinkable water.
Equipments
such as quality sleeping tents, communal meals tent, portable toilet, and sleeping pad
for your safety and well-being, such as mandatory First Aid Kit, Oxygen tank, Oximeter, and stretcher and handheld radio
Other cost not Included
Equipments
such as sleep bags, hiking poles, head-lamps are not included in the pricing. However, these equipment along with others, like down jacket, rain gear, and hiking shoes are available for rent. See our rental equipment table for the full list
Tipping
is part of the local culture and is an expectation. While our team earns above minimum wage, tips are a key way to support local staff—especially those working in tough conditions like on the mountain. While wages are taxed heavily in Tanzania, tips are not taxed. So in Tanzania, guides, cooks and porters rely on tips to support 5–10 family members. Tips help them achieve their goals and are a meaningful way to say thank you. We ask that you kindly budget for tips
VISA fee and Travel insurance
Additional Hotel night
Laundry service
is not provided during the hike. However, you may use the hotel’s laundry services which they provide for a cost
Cost of meals during your stay at the hotel.
The hotel we’ll organize your stay at has a restaurant. There are also a number of cafes and restaurants located near the hotel within walking distance.