7 days / 6 nights
Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek
Machame Gate · Shira Plateau · Barranco · Karanga · Barafu · Uhuru Peak
Challenge yourself on the iconic Machame Route, one of the most scenic approaches to Mount Kilimanjaro and a popular choice for trekkers seeking a rewarding summit experience. This 7-day itinerary provides a gradual ascent profile with time for acclimatisation before the final push to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa.
Known as the "Whiskey Route," Machame combines spectacular volcanic landscapes, varied vegetation zones and excellent mountain scenery.
Trek highlights
- Reach Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m
- Trek through Kilimanjaro's rainforest, moorland and alpine desert
- Spectacular views from the Shira Plateau
- Experience the famous Barranco Wall
- Cross Kilimanjaro's high-altitude volcanic landscape
- Summit attempt during the early morning
- Mountain camping throughout the trek
- Experienced mountain crew and professional mountain guide
- Exceptional sunrise and mountain photography opportunities
- Acclimatize progressively before summit day
Day by day
7 days, 6 nights
Distances and walking times are the usual figures for this route. Your pace, the weather and how the group is acclimatising all move them on the day.
- 1
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Drive from your hotel in Moshi to Machame Gate for registration and trek preparation.
Begin hiking through the lush montane rainforest. The trail gradually climbs through dense vegetation toward Machame Camp.
- Distance
- Approximately 11 km
- Trekking time
- 5-7 hours
- Altitude
- 1,800 m → 3,000 m
- Overnight
- Machame Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 2
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast, continue climbing through the rainforest toward the moorland zone.
The vegetation becomes shorter and the landscape opens dramatically as you approach the Shira Plateau, with beautiful views toward Kibo and surrounding volcanic terrain.
- Distance
- Approximately 5 km
- Trekking time
- 4-6 hours
- Altitude
- 3,000 m → 3,840 m
- Overnight
- Shira Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 3
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
Trek across the high-altitude Shira Plateau toward Lava Tower before descending toward Barranco.
This "climb high, sleep low" profile is important for acclimatisation. Enjoy spectacular views of Kibo and the surrounding volcanic landscape.
- Distance
- Approximately 10 km
- Trekking time
- 6-8 hours
- Altitude
- 3,840 m → 3,960 m
- Overnight
- Barranco Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Begin the day by tackling the impressive Barranco Wall. Although it looks challenging, it is a non-technical climb and can normally be completed with the assistance of the mountain crew.
Continue through the alpine desert toward Karanga Camp.
- Distance
- Approximately 6 km
- Trekking time
- 4-5 hours
- Altitude
- 3,960 m → 4,035 m
- Overnight
- Karanga Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Continue toward Barafu Camp, the final high camp before the summit.
The landscape becomes increasingly barren as you enter the alpine desert zone. After arriving at camp, rest, hydrate and prepare your equipment for the summit attempt.
An early dinner and early bedtime are recommended.
- Distance
- Approximately 4 km
- Trekking time
- 4-5 hours
- Altitude
- 4,035 m → 4,640 m
- Overnight
- Barafu Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 6
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, then Mweka Camp
Begin the summit attempt around midnight.
Trek slowly through the darkness toward Stella Point (5,739 m) on the crater rim. Continue along the rim toward Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa.
Celebrate your summit achievement before descending toward Barafu and continuing to Mweka Camp for the night.
- Distance
- Approximately 17 km
- Trekking time
- 12-15 hours
- Altitude
- 4,640 m → 5,895 m → 3,080 m
- Overnight
- Mweka Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate & Moshi
After breakfast, begin your final descent through the rainforest toward Mweka Gate.
Complete Park formalities and meet your vehicle for the transfer back to Moshi, where the trek ends.
- Distance
- Approximately 10 km
- Trekking time
- 3-4 hours
- Altitude
- 3,080 m → 1,640 m
- Meals
- Breakfast & Lunch
Included
What the price covers
- Private transfers between Moshi and Kilimanjaro gates
- Professional, certified Kilimanjaro Mountain guide
- Experienced mountain crew and porters
- 6 nights of mountain camping
- Quality mountain tents and sleeping arrangements
- All Kilimanjaro National Park entry, camping and applicable conservation fees
- Rescue and park-related fees
- Meals throughout the mountain trek
- Drinking water during the trek
- Porters' services for permitted trekking equipment and luggage
- Park registration and applicable government fees
- Accommodation in Moshi before and/or after the trek as specified in the confirmed package
Accommodation options: Your accommodation will be selected according to your preferred comfort level, travel dates, availability and safari route. Exact properties will be confirmed in your personalised quotation
Not included
What you arrange yourself
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal trekking equipment and clothing
- Sleeping bag unless specifically included
- Tips for mountain guide, porters and support crew
- Personal snacks and beverages
- Laundry
- Optional hotel nights outside the confirmed itinerary
- Helicopter evacuation or medical expenses not covered by insurance
- Souvenirs and personal expenses
- Any service not specifically mentioned under Included
Important Trekking Information
Kilimanjaro is a high-altitude mountain, and reaching the summit depends on individual fitness, acclimatisation and weather conditions. No technical climbing skills are required for the Machame Route, but good preparation is essential.
Our guides maintain a slow and steady trekking pace ("pole pole"), monitor trekkers throughout the ascent and prioritize safety. Proper acclimatisation, hydration and following your guide's instructions are essential.
Best for
Ideal for adventure travellers, experienced hikers, couples and anyone seeking the challenge of standing on the highest point in Africa. The 7-day Machame itinerary provides a strong balance between scenery, acclimatisation and summit preparation, making it one of the most rewarding routes on Kilimanjaro.
Accommodation levels
Choose the level, and we build the trip around it
The same route can be run four ways. The level you pick decides where you sleep, how far you drive to the wildlife each morning, and most of what the safari costs.
Budget
Clean, simple camps and small lodges. Everything you need after a day in the park, and nothing you do not.
Mid-range
Comfortable lodges and permanent tented camps with en-suite bathrooms, pools and full service. Where most safaris sit.
Luxury
High-end lodges and luxury tented camps in prime locations, with the shorter drives to the wildlife that come with them.
Premium
The best addresses in each park. Exclusive-use camps, private guiding and the quietest corners of the reserves.
Why there is no price on the page
A safari price that fits everyone fits nobody. Two people in a premium camp in August and a family of four in a mid-range lodge in April are different trips at different costs, on the same itinerary. Rather than publish a figure that would be wrong for most people reading it, we price each trip properly.
Tell us your dates, your group and the level you want, and you get an accurate quote back with the accommodation named.
What the quote is built from
- Accommodation level and the type of camp or lodge
- Where you sleep: park rates differ, and so do the drives
- Travel dates, since low, high and peak seasons are priced apart
- Group size, and the ages of any children
- Safari style: private, shared, or tailor-made
- Length of the trip, the parks you enter and the activities you add
- Vehicle and transport arrangements
- Anything special: flights, transfers, honeymoon touches, dietary needs
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