6-Day climbing Machame Route
Tour Overview
How many days does it take to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? 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 the tropical forest and follows through all the climate zones, culminating in the arctic desert before reaching the summit area.
Seasonal Months & Best Time to Travel
Highlighted months indicate the peak/optimal seasonal period for this tour.
Day-by-Day Summary
| Days | Main Destination | Accommodation | Meal Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Machame Camp (2835m) | Camping at mountain | Full Board FB |
|
|
Shira Camp 1 (3,550m) | Camping at mountain | Full Board FB |
|
|
Barranco Camp (3,950m) | Camping at mountain | Full Board FB |
|
|
Karanga Camp (3,930m) | Camping at mountain | Full Board FB |
|
|
Not specified | No accommodation | Not specified |
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|
Mweka Camp (3,100m) | Camping at mountain | Full Board FB |
|
|
Mweka Gate (1,800m) | No accommodation | Half Board HB |
Tour Quick Facts
Tour Class
Budget Tour :This safari includes comfort-focused hand-picked lodges and camps.
Group Type
Shared group tour : Join a group of other travelers. Max 20 people per vehicle.
Start Day
Can start any day :If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Customization
Can be customized :Request minor changes to accommodations and destinations.
Single Travelers
Suitable for single travelers : Solo travelers can join, requires a minimum of 1 people to run.
Minimum Age
Minimum age of 10 years :Children and families are welcome under parental guidance.
Tour Rates & Pricing
Below are our rates for travelers visiting as a group. Discounts are available for larger parties, making group travel more affordable and enjoyable. Whether you are planning a family trip, a getaway with friends, or a special event with colleagues, our group rates are designed to offer better value while keeping the experience comfortable and convenient. Please contact us for more details on pricing, availability, and any special arrangements for your group.
- Per Person Pricing:All rates listed are per person and do not include international flights.
- Solo Travel: Solo travelers are welcome; however, the tour requires a minimum of 1 people to run.
- Age Requirements: Children aged 10 and above are allowed and discounted. Free entrance fees apply for children under 0 years old.
Please Note: All rates are subject to change based on availability, seasonality, and any updates to park fees, taxes, or tourism levies. We recommend contacting us directly to confirm pricing for your specific travel dates and group size.
Group Pricing Rates
| Solo | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,307 | $1,910 | $1,804 | $1,711 | $1,672 | $1,672 | $1,672 |
Day by Day Experience
Machame Gate (1800m) to Machame Camp (2835m)
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 the Machame Gate. On the way there, you will see coffee and banana plantations cultivated by the 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.
Machame Camp (2835m)
Full Board FB
Camping at mountain
Machame Camp (2835m) to Shira Cave Camp (3750m)
Distance covered: 5 km
Approximate time taken: 3 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Camping
Around 8:00 am, buckling up for 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 the 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 in the eastern direction the stunning glacier of Western Breach. Overnight at Shira Campsite (3750m).
Shira Camp 1 (3,550m)
Full Board FB
Camping at mountain
Shira Cave Camp (3750m) to Barranco camp (3900m)
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 a 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).
Barranco Camp (3,950m)
Full Board FB
Camping at mountain
Barranco Camp (3900m) to Karanga Camp (4000m)
Distance covered: 6 km
Approximate time taken: 4 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Camping
On this day, after breakfast, you will be leaving the campsite to walk up the Barranco wall (4200m), where it ends at the foot of the Hein Glacier. Get to Karanga Camp (4000m) after 4 hours of trekking.
Karanga Camp (3,930m)
Full Board FB
Camping at mountain
Karanga Camp (4000m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
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.
Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) then down to Mweka Camp (3100m)
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 from 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.
Mweka Camp (3,100m)
Full Board FB
Camping at mountain
Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
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.
Mweka Gate (1,800m)
Half Board HB
What's Included
Included
- All applicable park entry fees as per the program.
- Government taxes & local levies.
- Service of highly experienced English-speaking guide(s); porters & cook
- Camping equipment like mountain tent, mattress, etc.
- Accommodation Type: Camping
- Transport from the hotel to the park gate and from the park gate to the hotel.
- Meals on Full board (Unless listed as an upgrade) on trek as indicated on the program
- Unlimited drinking water (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Refreshments during the trek.
- Rescue fees, Emergency oxygen, Pulse oximeter, and First aid kit
- Guides and porters' accommodations and their entry fees on the mountain
- Fair wages to guides and porters as approved by Kilimanjaro National Park Authority
- Emergency oxygen during trek
- 24-hour support
Excluded
- International flights (From/to home) and domestic Flight
- Medical/luggage Insurance.
- Pre-& post climb accommodation (B&B)
- Pick up and drop off at the Airport
- Sleeping bag
- Tips (Tipping guideline: Guide $20, cooker $15, $10 porter pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, Visa entry fees upon arrival at the airport, etc.)
- Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Any extra orders at meals are not included. Set menu meals are part of the package.
- Portable flush toilet