7 Days Machame Route

Overview

Known as the “Whiskey” route, the Machame route is now the most popular route on the mountain. Compared with Marangu, the days on Machame are longer and the walks are steeper. The Machame route is considered a difficult route, and is better suited for more adventurous folks and those with some hiking or backpacking experience.

The route begins from the south, then heads east, traversing underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field before summiting. The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although seven days is recommended. The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. However, due to the heavy crowds, it loses some of its spendor.

Area to Visit

Machame Camp, Shira Camp, Lava Tower, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp,
Barafu Camp, Uhuru Peak and Mweka Camp

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Moshi – Machame Gate – Machame Camp

You will begin your drive from Moshi to machame gate; the drive will only take about 50 minutes. The journey will take you through the beautiful village of machame located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

After arrival at the gate you will proceed to the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. The path might be muddy and slippery so it is advised that you use gaiters and trekking poles.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight : Machame Camp

Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight : Machame Camp

Day 3: Shira Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp

After an early morning breakfast you will depart from shira 2 camp and enter the desert and rocky landscape. You will reach lava tower after a five hour long walk. Enjoy lunch at the tower and opt to hike the enormous lava tower if the weather permits. You may feel some discomfort due to the high altitude.

After having lunch you will descend from the tower to barranco campsite. The descent will only take 2 hours and upon arrival you will spot the famous barranco wall which will be hiked the next day.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight : Barranco Camp

Day 4: Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight : Karanga Camp

Day 5: Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight : Barafu Camp

Day 6: Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.

At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down.

Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight : Mweka Camp

Day 7: Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy.

Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.

Kilimanjaro Trekking Route

5 Days Marangu Route

7 Days Mchame Route

8 Days Lemosho Route

6 Days Rongai Route

Pick up Kilimanjaro Airport, transfer to lodge/hotel
Transfer lodge/hotel to Kilimanjaro Airport
Private guide speaking fluently English
Private cook speaking fluently English
Park Fees for national park
Porters who carry your luggage
Accommodation in huts
Chairs and tables for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Dinner-tent
Rescue fee

International flight tickets and tourist visa
Accommodation on day of arrival and departure
Insurances (travel, flying doctors etc)

ENQUIRE FORM

Please use the form below to plan your trip with us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Full Name

Mob Number

Country

Date of Travel

Adult Number

Number of Children

Trip Planner

Message

Date of Travel