7 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route
7 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route
Tour Starts & Ends: Arusha
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TREK OVERVIEW
The 7-day Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey Route,” is one of the most popular and scenic routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. This challenging and rewarding trek offers varied landscapes, including lush rainforests, moorlands, and high alpine deserts, culminating at the snow-capped Uhuru Peak. The extended itinerary allows for better acclimatization, improving your chances of successfully reaching Africa’s highest point. Starting from Moshi, the Machame Route is perfect for adventurers seeking both a thrilling climb and a diverse trekking experience.
Our Tanzania Destinations
Day 1: Arrival in Moshi
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in Moshi, where you will meet your guides for a briefing about the upcoming trek. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, explore the town, or prepare your gear for the climb. Moshi, nestled at the foot of Kilimanjaro, offers a serene introduction to your trekking adventure.
- Moshi Accommodation Options
Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel
Kilimanjaro Luxury Camp
Day 2: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
After breakfast, you’ll depart from Moshi to the Machame Gate (1,800m), where registration and final preparations take place. The trek starts with a gradual climb through the lush rainforest, where you may spot monkeys and exotic birds. The trail eventually opens up to heathland as you make your way to Machame Camp (3,000m), where you’ll spend your first night on the mountain.
Trek Information
- Distance: 11 km
- Hiking time: 5-7 hours
- Overnight: Machame Camp
Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
On your second day, the landscape begins to change as you leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone. The trail becomes steeper and rockier as you ascend, with stunning views of the surrounding valleys and Mount Meru in the distance. You’ll arrive at Shira Camp (3,840m) by mid-afternoon, where you can relax and enjoy the views of Kibo Peak as the sun sets.
Trek Information
- Distance: 5 km
- Hiking time: 4-6 hours
- Overnight: Shira Camp
Day 4: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
Today is an important acclimatization day as you trek from Shira Camp to Lava Tower (4,630m) before descending to Barranco Camp (3,960m). Although this day involves hiking at higher altitudes, the descent to Barranco Camp helps your body acclimatize. The day’s trek offers stunning scenery, with the Lava Tower and the Barranco Valley providing incredible photo opportunities. Barranco Camp is set in a scenic location below the towering Barranco Wall.
Trek Information
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking time: 6-8 hours
- Overnight: Barranco Camp
Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, you’ll tackle the Barranco Wall, a challenging but non-technical climb that offers fantastic views once you reach the top. The trail then descends into the Karanga Valley before a short ascent to Karanga Camp (4,035m). This day is relatively short, designed to aid further acclimatization and prepare you for the higher altitudes ahead.
Trek Information
- Distance: 5 km
- Hiking time: 4-5 hours
- Overnight: Karanga Camp
Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Today’s trek takes you from Karanga to Barafu Camp (4,640m), the final camp before your summit attempt. The trail becomes steeper as you ascend through the alpine desert, with little vegetation and dramatic views of the surrounding peaks. Once you arrive at Barafu Camp, you’ll rest and prepare for the challenging summit night ahead. An early dinner and an early night’s sleep are essential as your summit attempt will begin around midnight.
Trek Information
- Distance: 4 km
- Hiking time: 4-5 hours
- Overnight: Barafu Camp
Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, Descend to Mweka Camp
Just after midnight, you’ll begin the final push to Uhuru Peak. The ascent is steep and challenging, passing through scree and snowfields as you approach Stella Point (5,739m) on the crater rim. From here, it’s a gradual climb to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. Standing at the summit as the sun rises is a truly unforgettable experience. After celebrating your achievement, you’ll begin the long descent back to Barafu Camp for a short rest, followed by a further descent to Mweka Camp (3,110m) for your overnight stay.
Trek Information
- Distance (ascent): 5 km to Uhuru Peak
- Hiking time (ascent): 7-8 hours
- Distance (descent): 12 km to Mweka Camp
- Hiking time (descent): 6-8 hours
- Overnight: Mweka Camp
Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, Return to Moshi
On your final day, you’ll continue your descent through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,640m), where you’ll sign out and receive your summit certificate. Afterward, you’ll be transferred back to Moshi for a much-deserved rest and celebration of your successful climb. Spend the evening relaxing or exploring Moshi before your departure.
Trek Information
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours
- Moshi Accommodation Options
Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel
Kilimanjaro Luxury Camp
Day 9: Departure from Moshi
After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, you’ll be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey. This marks the end of your incredible 7-day adventure on the Machame Route, with unforgettable memories of standing atop Africa’s highest peak.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Park Fees: All Kilimanjaro National Park entry fees, camping or hut fees, and rescue fees are typically included in the total package.
- Professional Guides: Certified and experienced mountain guides will lead the trek. Their services include navigation, safety management, and mountain knowledge.
- Porters and Cooks: A team of porters will carry your gear, set up camp, and prepare meals, while cooks ensure that you are well-fed with nutritious meals throughout the trek.
- Meals: Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are provided during the trek. Meals are designed to sustain energy levels, including snacks and drinks (water, tea, coffee).
- Camping Equipment: High-quality camping gear such as tents, sleeping mats, and cooking equipment is usually provided for camping routes. Hut accommodations (like on the Marangu route) are also included where applicable.
- Transportation: Transfers to and from the starting point of the trek, as well as from the airport to your hotel.
- Accommodation Before and After the Trek: One or two nights of accommodation in Moshi or Arusha (usually one night before and one night after.
- Summit Certificates: You will receive an official certificate upon reaching Uhuru Peak or Stella Point.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- International Flights: Flights to and from Tanzania (or the destination country) are not included.
- Visa Fees: You will need to arrange your Tanzanian visa, which is not included in the trekking package.
- Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel and health insurance that covers high-altitude trekking, medical emergencies, and evacuation is typically not included but is essential for the trek.
- Personal Equipment: Items such as sleeping bags, trekking poles, personal clothing (boots, jackets, gloves), and backpacks must be brought by the climber or rented separately.
- Tips for Guides, Porters, and Cooks: Tips are customary and expected at the end of the trek. The amount usually ranges between $250 to $300 per climber, depending on group size and satisfaction.
- Optional Activities: Additional activities or excursions before or after the trek, such as safaris, cultural tours, or city visits, are generally not included.
- Medical Expenses: Any medical treatment required during or after the trek, aside from evacuation services, is not covered.
- Personal Expenses: Costs for souvenirs, laundry, phone calls, or other personal expenses incurred during your stay are not included.
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