7 Day Kilimanjaro Climb: Machame Route (6 Days on the Mountain)
The Machame Route, also called the “Whiskey Route”, is one of the most scenic ways up Mount Kilimanjaro and one of the routes we recommend most. It climbs through magnificent rainforest to a ridge, crosses the moorland to the Shira Plateau, then traverses beneath the glaciers of the Southern Icefields before joining the Barafu Route to the summit. Climbing high to the Lava Tower and sleeping lower at Barranco helps your body adjust to the altitude and gives this route a high summit success rate.
Days on the mountain: 6 · Summit: Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m · Accommodation: four-season tents on the mountain · Starts and ends: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Moshi
Accommodation
| Night 1 · Moshi | Panama Garden Resort (bed and breakfast) |
|---|---|
| Night 2 · Machame Camp | Mountain camping, 3,021 m |
| Night 3 · Shira Camp | Mountain camping, 3,839 m |
| Night 4 · Barranco Camp | Mountain camping, 3,986 m |
| Night 5 · Barafu Camp | Mountain camping, 4,662 m |
| Night 6 · Mweka Camp | Mountain camping, 3,106 m |
Itinerary
- 1Kilimanjaro Airport Start
- 2Moshi 1 night
- 3Mount Kilimanjaro 5 nights
- 2Moshi Finish
By road
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro – Moshi
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), our representative meets you and drives you to the Panama Garden Resort in Moshi. Overnight at Panama Garden Resort.
Overnight (bed and breakfast)
Day 2: Moshi – Machame Gate – Machame Camp (LD)
After breakfast, a 45-minute drive takes you through Machame village to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate. While your permits are issued, watch the bustle as the crews prepare for the journey ahead. Then set off through beautiful rainforest on winding trails, while your guide tells you about the plants and wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are a great help. Dinner and overnight at Machame Camp.
Hiking: 5–6 hours · 10.75 km · 1,811 m to 3,021 m (1,210 m gained) · Rainforest
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Machame Camp – Shira Camp (FB)
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, you leave the rainforest behind and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep, rocky ridge. The route then turns west along a river gorge to Shira Camp, where the temperatures begin to drop. Dinner and overnight at Shira Camp.
Hiking: 4–5 hours · 5.3 km · 3,021 m to 3,839 m (818 m gained) · Moorland
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Shira Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp (FB)
Begin the day climbing up a ridge, then head south-east towards the Lava Tower, a 300 ft (90 m) volcanic rock formation at about 4,630 m. Then descend to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio forest of giant groundsels. Although you begin and end the day at almost the same altitude, the time spent higher up is very good for acclimatisation. Dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp.
Hiking: 5–6 hours · 10.75 km · 3,839 m up to 4,630 m, then down to 3,986 m · Semi-desert
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp (FB)
After breakfast, climb the steep but non-technical Barranco Wall, then cross to the Karanga Valley and the junction with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to watch your crew’s strength and agility as they move up the wall with what looks like ease. Continue up to Barafu Camp: you have now completed the South Circuit, with breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest prepare you for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.
Hiking: 6–8 hours · 8.5 km · 3,986 m to 4,034 m to 4,662 m (676 m gained) · Alpine desert
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp (FB)
Excitement builds as you start between midnight and 2 AM. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. Climb between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, zigzagging north-west up heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim, where you are rewarded with a magnificent sunrise during a short rest (faster hikers may see it from the summit). From here, the last hour to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa, is often on snow. After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy, begin the steep descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a short rest. Gaiters and trekking poles help a lot on the loose gravel and volcanic ash. Overnight at Mweka Camp.
Hiking: 5–7 hours up (4.86 km), then 5–6 hours down (13 km) · 4,662 m to 5,895 m, then down to 3,106 m · Glaciers and snow-capped summit
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi (B)
After breakfast and a heartfelt farewell ceremony with your crew, continue down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate to receive your summit certificate. The weather is much warmer and the path can be wet, muddy and steep, so keep your gaiters and trekking poles handy. A vehicle meets you at Mweka village for the 30-minute drive back to Moshi. Enjoy a long-overdue hot shower and celebrate!
Hiking: 3–4 hours · 9.1 km · 3,106 m down to 1,633 m · Rainforest
Breakfast
Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climb Prices
Prices are per person and depend on how many people are climbing together.
Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climb
6 days on the mountain, with a night in Moshi before the climb
From $2,475 per person
| Group size | 1 person | 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person | On request | $2,536 | $2,525 | $2,475 |
Prices are in US dollars per person sharing, for the full climb as described, including everything listed under Package Includes. Valid for climbs in 2026 and 2027. For other group sizes, please contact us.
Optional Extras
- Private toilet tent – US$ 100 for the whole climb
- Extra night at the hotel in Moshi – US$ 70
- Transfer from Mweka Gate to Arusha – US$ 120
Package Includes
- Pick-up at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transfer to Panama Garden Resort in Moshi
- One night at Panama Garden Resort before the climb, with breakfast
- Transfers from Moshi to Machame Gate, and from Mweka Gate back to Moshi
- Four-season tents on the mountain, with a 3-inch self-inflating mattress for each climber
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch and dinner), served hot in a mess tent from the second day
- Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees, camping or hut fees and rescue fees
- Professional mountain guides, trained as first-aid responders, plus porters and a cook
- A summit porter to carry your daypack and water on summit night, so you climb with nothing on your back
- Emergency oxygen at no extra cost, a comprehensive first-aid kit carried by every guide, and a fingertip pulse oximeter to check your oxygen levels and pulse
- 24-hour standby radio communication
- A hot water bottle for your sleeping bag at night
- Snacks during the climb
- Bottled drinking water for each climber on the first day
- Kilimanjaro forest fees for climbers and crew
- Summit certificate
Package Excludes
- Personal climbing gear and sleeping bag (some gear can be hired; ask us)
- Flying Doctors membership for emergency helicopter evacuation
- Tips for your guides, porters and cook
- Drinks, international flights, visas, travel insurance and personal expenses
- Accommodation after the climb
