7 Days / 6 Nights Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Machame Route
Duration
7 Days / 6 Nights
Destinations
Machame Gate /Shira Plateau / Lava Tower /Barranco Camp /Karanga valley Campsite / Barafu Camp / Mweka Camp
Style
Mountai Trekking
Total hiking distance
100 km
About this Tour
Machame (“Whisky Route”) Route:
This is probably the most beautiful route up KILIMANJARO.
Accommodation on the Marangu Route is in huts, the Machame Route offers strictly tents only where all the equipments and supplies are carried by the porters and the delicious meals are prepared by the cook during your trek.
This makes Machame (also referred to as the “Whisky Route”) better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, however rewarding him/her a scenic splendor such as the sunset at Shira and the lovely view of Kibo at the Barranco Wall, not seen on the Marangu Route. There is an added benefit to this, as you are afforded the most valuable commodity on the mountain – acclimatization. The Machame Route takes you high to Lava Tower (4630m) on the day 3 and brings you down by 700m for an overnight at Barranco Camp. (3950m).
This is the secret to successful acclimatization recommended for a successful summit climb and applying the rule of high altitude CLIMB HIGH AND SLEEP LOW.
Brief itinerary below
Day 0: Arrival
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be picked up from with our driver and transfer you to the Hotel for overnight. (Bed & breakfast.
Destination
Moshi
Meals Plan
Bed & breakfast
Overnight
Panama Garden Lodge
Day 1: The Rainforest Gate
The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slope of the mountain. Upon reaching the Park Gate, climbers are requested to make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging their packs containing food, water and other equipment. Make sure that you have all your day pack items with you as the porters travel very quickly.
The guides will be pleased to assist with any additional information. From the Park Gate you walk through the main forest on a winding trail to the first camp, which is located at an altitude of 3,840 meters. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery.
Gaiters and trekking poles are good idea here. You continue a short distance until you reach the Machame Hut, where camps are already put up for rest and enjoy dinner and camp overnight.
Hiking Time
7 hours
Distance
18 km
Habitat
Montane Forest
Overnight
Machame Hut
Day 2: The Shira Plateau
On the second day, the trail steepens as you leave the forest and enter the heath and moorland zone. This 5km hike takes about 5 to 6 hours, leading you up a rocky ridge onto the vast Shira Plateau. From Shira Camp the landscape opens up to provide breathtaking, unobstructed views of the Western Breach and the jagged Shira Cathedral.
Hiking Time
6 hours
Distance
9km
Habitat
Moorland
Overnight
Shira Camp
Day 3: The Lava Tower
From the Shira Plateau, you continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, the direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth”. It is usually at this point where for the first time some climbers will start feeling symptoms of breathlessness and headache due to high altitude and one should walk slowly –POLE POLE as they say in Kiswahili.
You now continue down wards to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 3,950meters, situated in a valley below the breach and the great Barranco Wall. Here, you rest enjoy dinner and camp overnight.
Although you end the day at the same elevation, as when you started, this day is very important for acclimitization (climb high and sleep low) and will help your body prepare for the successful summit day.
Hiking Time
6 hours
Distance
11 km
Habitat
Semi desert.
Overnight
Barranco Camp
Day 4: The Great Barranco Wall)
After Breakfast, you will depart from Barranco Camp and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall through the Karanga Valley at 4200m and it is the LAST WATER STOP as you shall not find water at the Barafu Camp. Here, one gets a better chance to view the glaciers at a very near distance. You shall have hot Lunch at Karanga Valley campsite. After a short rest, you can view the Mawenzi Slopes as well as the Tanzania Sugar Plantation farms. (TPC) with a short walk to see the sedimentary rocks which sound like iron when stepped on and return to the Karanga Valley Campsite for dinner and overnight.
Hiking Time
4 hours
Distance
7 km
Habitat
Semi desert.
Overnight
Karanga Campsite
Day 5: The High Alpine Desert
After Breakfast, you will depart from Karanga Valley campsite at (4200m), for the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. You continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4600 meters. You have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views for the summit from many different angles.
There is no water at Barafu Camp, even though Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice.” The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are far above Barafu Camp near the summit of the mountain. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents.
Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, and drink a lot of fluids. Here you can, rest, enjoy dinner and go to bed for a few hours of your precious sleep.
Hiking Time
3 hours
Distance
8 km
Habitat
Alpine Desert
Overnight
Barafu Camp
Day 6: The Summit and Descent
you continue towards the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5895meters. It can be bitterly cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. You now make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut Campsite, stopping at Barafu Camp for lunch.
You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp at 3100meters, is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected during the late afternoon. This part of the descent takes about 7 to8 hours. Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep
- Uhuru Peak (5895m)
- Mweka Camp (3 100m)
Hiking Time
8hrs to reach Uhuru Peak. 7-8 hrs down to Mweka camp.
Distance
8km – 23km down to Mweka Camp
Habitat
Stone scree and ice capped summit Early morning,
Overnight
Mweka Camp
Day 7: The Final Rainforest Trek
On your last day, you’ll complete the journey with a 3-to-4-hour descent through the lush rainforest to the Mweka Gate. The path is often muddy but offers a beautiful close to your adventure. At the gate, you will sign out and receive your official gold summit certificate before being transferred back to Arusha or Moshi for a well-earned celebration and a warm shower.
- Mweka Gate (1500m)
Hiking Time
3 -4hours
Distance
15km
Habitat
Forest
INCLUDED
- All accommodations per itinerary
- All meals per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- All tours and entrance fees per itinerary (unless listed as excluded)
- All transportation and transfers per itinerary
- National Park gate fees
- Transfers Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi to starting point on mountain and return to Moshi then Kilimanjaro Airport
- Hut fees
- Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides for all routes
- Salaries for all crew members
- Rescue fees (as required by national park)
- Tents, foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and eating utensils
- Oximeters
NOT INCLUDED
- International and domestic flights
- Meals not listed
- Beverages and alcohol
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
- Optional tours
- Single room supplement
- Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
- Tips for guides, porters, and cooks (budget $200-500/person)
- Sleeping bags and personal gear
- Single Supplement $80
Eco Dream Safari
Trekking Specialist
Enquire this Tour
Why Eco Dream
- Responsible Luxury & Comfort
- Personalized Safari Experience
- Authentic Wildlife Experience
Turn Your Kilimanjaro Dream into Reality
With our Kilimanjaro trekking experiences, every climb is designed around you. You have the freedom to choose your preferred route, pace, and level of challenge. Our sample itineraries are flexible and can be fully customized to match your goals—whether you seek a steady summit approach, a scenic journey through diverse landscapes, or a deeply rewarding personal achievement on Africa’s highest peak.
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