7-Day climbing Machame Route
Trip Overview - 7-Day climbing Machame Route
Next to Marangu, Machame, popularly known as “the Whiskey Route”, is the second most sought-after way of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro. This path gives access to an array of views, scenery, and experiences.
So, if you enter Machame Gate from the southern slope of Mt Kilimanjaro, you will walk the wonderful path which starts from tropical forest and follows through all the climate zones, culminating in the arctic desert before reaching the summit area
The camps along the trek are favorably located for an easy and gradual transition of acclimatization. On the 3rd day Machame Route converges with Lemosho and Umbwe at Barranco camp. Arrive in Tanzania Meal: Breakfast and dinner included Pick up from Kilimanjaro international airport and transfer to your hotel. Later, leave with your seasoned guide for a trek briefing and equipment check to ensure you have everything required for the mountains. Then spend the night at your hotel.
Full Detailed Itinerary
Distance covered: 11 km
Approximate time taken: 7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Camping
You shall be collected from the hotel at about 8 a.m. after breakfast, and taken to Machame gate. On the way there, you will see the coffee and banana plantations grown by Chagga people. When you get to Machame gate, you will register and do some of the other park formalities before you start climbing Mount Kilimanjaro at the Machame gate. Your first day’s hike is through a tropical rain forest, to Machame camp (2835 m). On the way, you shall take a picnic lunch. Camp overnight at Machame.
Distance covered: 5 km
Approximate time taken: 3 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Camping
Around 8:00 am buckling to hiking. One should climb for about one hour till getting to the top of the forest and then 1 hour on a gentler gradient through moorland zone. A short lunch (a snack) and a brief rest, before proceeding up a rocky ridge, Shira plateau. At this point, one can see an eastern direction, the stunning glacier of western breach. Overnight at Shira Campsite (3750m).
Distance covered: 10 km
Approximate time taken: 6 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Okay, to acclimatize, we will hike high and descend to lower altitude. This trek will take us into the alpine desert to lava tower (4600 m), from where we will descend to Baranco Camp (3900 m). The descent to Barranco Camp takes about 3 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful pictures of the Western Breach and Barranco wall. This campsite is situated in a valley below the Barranco wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while waiting for dinner. Overnight at Barranco Camp (3900 m).
Distance covered: 6 km
Approximate time taken: 4 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Camping
In this day, after breakfast, you will be leaving the campsite to walk up the Barranco wall (4200m) where it ends in the fort of the Hein glacier. Get to Karanga Camp (4000m) after 4 hours of trek.
Distance covered: 4 km
Approximate time taken: 3 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Camping
You will shortly set off for Barafu Camp (4640 m), after breakfast, along a route with scenic views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Upon reaching the campsite, we will have lunch and a long break preparing for the prolonged night and day ahead. Dinner will be early and we will try to sleep early as we will be up about midnight preparing to go climbing to the summit.
Distance covered: 20 km
Approximate time taken: 14 hours
Habitat: Glacier/Moorland/Rainforest
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Camping
You will be awake by 00:00 because some light tea with cookies will be ready for you. Now we start our scree climb for 4 to 5 hours, gaining incredible height over a very short distance. Spectacular views. Reach the crater rim at Stella point (5756 m) when the first light rays of the sun hit us. One hour form Stella point will take us to Uhuru peak (5895 m) where you take some pictures for a few minutes before we begin descending to Barafu Camp for lunch and some rest, then walk to Mweka Camp (3100 m) for dinner and overnight.
Distance covered: 10 km
Approximate time taken: 3 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meal: Breakfast, and lunch included
Accommodation: Camping
Hike through the three-hour Mweka montane forest until you get to Mweka Gate, where you fulfill the necessary park formalities and pick up your certificates. You can hang them up with pride. The vehicle will be ready to take you back to your warm shower at Moshi. It’s time to celebrate.
7-Day climbing Machame Route Cost Breakdown
Number of People | 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | |
Price is Per Person | $2,307 | $1,910 | $1,804 | $1,711 | $1,672 |
Climbing Cost Includes
- All applicable park entry fees as per the program.
- Government taxes VAT & local levies.
- Service of highly experienced English-speaking guide(s); porters & cook.
- Camping equipment like mountain tent, mattress, chairs, etc. (Except for Marangu Route).
- Transport from the hotel to the park gate, as well as from the park gate to the hotel.
- Meals on Full board (Unless listed as upgrade) on trek as indicated on the program.
- Unlimited drinking water (As specified in the day-by-day section).
- Accommodation Type: Camping or hut in Marangu Route.
- Rescue fees, Emergency oxygen, Pulse oximeter, and First aid kit.
- Guides and porters' accommodations, meals and their entry fees on the mountain.
- Fair wages to guides and porters as approved by Kilimanjaro National Park Authority.
Climbing Cost Excludes
- International flights (From/to home) and domestic Flight.
- 2-night accommodation in Arusha Before and after trek.
- Pick up and drop off at the airport.
- Tips (Tipping guideline Guide $10-$20pp per day, Cooker & Porters $5-$10pp per day).
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, Visa entry fees upon arrival at the airport or online $50-$100 per person per entry depending on nationality, etc.).
- Any extra orders at meals are not included. Set menu meals are part of the package.
- Government-imposed increase of taxes or park fees.
- Medical/luggage Insurance.
- Portable flush toilet
- Sleeping bag
Our Climbing Addons
| Hotel Name | Single Room | Double Room | Triple Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kili Seasons Hotel | USD 165 | USD 165 | USD 165 |
| Kibo Palace Hotel | USD 195 | USD 248 | USD 273 |
| Forest Hill Hotel | USD 150 | USD 218 | USD 270 |
| Mlimba Parm Hotel | USD 60 | USD 120 | — |
| Parrot Hotel | USD 95 | USD 180 | — |
| African Tulip Hotel | USD 198 | USD 334 | — |
Climbing Gear Add-ons
If you are booking a hotel directly, please check with us before booking to ensure we can meet you and arrange pickup.
| Gear Item | Rate |
|---|---|
| Private Toilet | USD 150 |
| Private Tent | USD 7 per day |
| Kailas X3 III Alpine Tent with Vestibule | USD 12 per day |
| Thicker Sleeping Mattress | USD 10 per mattress |
| Thermosets | USD 17 per thermoset |
| Full Climbing Gear Rental | USD 350 per climb |
Transfers
We offer the following transfer options:
| Route | Rate |
|---|---|
| Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) → Moshi / Arusha | USD 70 per vehicle |
| Moshi / Arusha → Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) | USD 70 per vehicle |
| Arusha → Moshi | USD 100 per vehicle |
| Moshi → Arusha | USD 100 per vehicle |
Payment Terms
| Deposit Payment | |
| Deposit Amount | 30% of the total booking amount |
|---|---|
| Payment Methods | Bank transfer or online card payment |
| Card Payment Fee | 5% surcharge (non-refundable) |
| Bank Transfer | Bank account details provided upon request |
| Confirmation | Booking confirmation sent after deposit is received |
| Balance Payment | |
| Payment Options | Bank transfer, card payment, or cash |
| Bank Transfer | Recommended 30 days prior; accepted up to 15 days before tour |
| Card Payment | Recommended 7 days prior; accepted up to 1 day before tour 5% surcharge (non-refundable) |
| Cash Payment | Accepted on arrival (USD notes printed in or after 2009) |
| Cancellation Policy | |
| 10+ Days Before Departure | Only bank charges apply as cancellation fees |
| 0–9 Days Before Departure | 50% of total tour price charged as cancellation fees |
| Postponement | Trek can be postponed to any new date at no extra cost |
| Card Surcharge | 5% surcharge on advance/balance payments is non-refundable |
Climb Highlights
| Location | Mount Kilimanjaro |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 Days / 6 Nights |
| Summit Success Rate | Medium success rate |
| Difficulty Level | Difficulty |
| Minimum Age | 8+, 12+, 16+ |
| Price |
From $1,910 Per Person |
Why Planning Your Climb with Us?
- Experienced Local Guides
- Licensed & Certified Company
- We specialize in customized climbs
- Fair Pricing, No Hidden Costs
- Safety First
- Sustainable & Ethical Travel
7-Day Machame Route Climb
- $2,300
7-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing - Rongai Route
- $2,500
6-Day Umbwe Route Climb
- $2,500
