Know Your
Mount Kilimanjaro – Machame Route
Additional Information.
Price is per person, if 2 or more people travel together the cost is less.
The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is a six- or seven-day camping route and is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. This trail offers stunning views, a reasonable challenge, and plenty of time to acclimate, making it a good choice for those who have a bit of extra time in their schedule.
DAY 0: Arrival & Pick Up (Kilimanjaro Airport).
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA)or Arusha Airport, where you will meet with our representative who will drive you to your accommodation in Arusha or Moshi. The accommodation will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: rooms, hot water, polite staff, and Internet access.
DAY 1:Hotel to Machame camp.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Driving takes roughly 45 minutes from Moshi to Machame Gate. The settlement of Machame, which is situated on the mountain’s lower slopes, is traversed throughout the route.
We leave the park’s entrance and go up a ridge along a meandering track through the montane forests. The trail could be slick and muddy at lower altitudes. Here, gaiters and hiking poles are wise ideas. We travel a short distance before arriving at the Machame Camp.
DAY 2:Machame camp to Shira camp
Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast we leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge while taking our time, soaking in the scenery as we make our way through moorlands. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.
DAY 3:Shira camp to lava tower to Barranco camp
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
We proceed eastward from the Shira Plateau along a hill, past the intersection that leads to Kibo’s peak. As we proceed, we turn to the southeast in the direction of the “Shark’s Tooth” Lava Tower (4650m/15,250ft). The second junction, leading to the Arrow Glacier, is located not far from the tower. Moving on, we descend to the Barranco Camp. Even though you start and end the day at roughly the same level, this day is crucial for acclimatization and will assist your body in getting ready for summit day.
DAY 4:Barranco camp to Karanga camp.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
DAY 5:Karanga camp to Barafu camp
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
DAY 6:Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp.
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
We continue climbing to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers between midnight and two in the morning. You travel northwest and make your way over steep scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. The hardest part of the walk both physically and mentally is this section. You’ll take a little break at Stella Point, where you’ll be rewarded with the most breathtaking sunrise you’re ever likely to witness. The sunrise can be seen from the peak by more rapid hikers. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! After lunch at Barafu, we start our descent from the mountain by going straight down to the Mweka Camp. For the loose gravel coming down, gaiters and trekking poles can be useful. We reach Mweka Camp and take in our final night on the mountain.
DAY 7:Mweka camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
We continue the descent to the Mweka Park Gate after breakfast so you can pick up your summit certificates there. Here we will have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park and driving back to the hotel or airport.
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IncludedAll transportation (unless labeled as optional)A professional driver/guideAll accommodations as stated in the itineraryAll activities (unless labeled as optional)All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)All Taxes/VATCamping EquipmentPark fees
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Not IncludedInternational flights (from/to home)Services not mentioned in the programAdditional accommodation before and at the end of the tourAlcoholic drinksItems of a personal naturePersonal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)Rescue Fee.Round trip Airport Transfer.The government imposed an increase in taxes and/or park feesTipsTravel insurance and medical repatriation