The best Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Machame in six (6)-Days for 2025
The best Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Machame in six (6)-Days for 2025 , The Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey Route,” is one of the most popular paths to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Known for its diverse landscapes, scenic views, and excellent acclimatization profile, this route provides a thrilling 6-day adventure with a high success rate. Here’s a detailed day-by-day itinerary for your 2025 trek on the Machame Route.
Day by day Itinarary Tour Overview
Duration: 6 Days, 5 Nights
Route: Machame
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challengin
Best For: Adventurous trekkers and photographers
Highlights: Diverse ecosystems, panoramic views, stunning glaciers, and high summit success rate
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Starting Altitude: 1,800m (5,905 ft)
Ending Altitude: 3,010m (9,875 ft)
Distance: 11 km (7 miles)
Trekking Time: 5-7 hours
Terrain: Rainforest
Highlights & Experience:
Your journey begins at Machame Gate, where you’ll register and meet your team. The trail leads through the lush rainforest with towering trees, vibrant moss, and a chance to spot colobus monkeys and exotic bird species. Arriving at Machame Camp, you’ll enjoy a hot meal and rest as you acclimate to the elevation.
Accommodation: Tented camp at Machame Camp
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Starting Altitude: 3,010m (9,875 ft)
Ending Altitude: 3,840m (12,600 ft)
Distance: 5 km (3 miles)
Trekking Time: 4-6 hours
Terrain: Moorland
Highlights & Experience:
Leaving the rainforest, the landscape shifts to moorland, dotted with heathers and unique plants like the giant groundsel and lobelia. The trail is steeper today but shorter, with breathtaking views of Mount Meru in the distance. You’ll reach Shira Camp in the afternoon and enjoy stunning views of Kibo Peak at sunset.
Accommodation: Tented camp at Shira Camp
Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
Starting Altitude: 3,840m (12,600 ft)
Highest Point (Lava Tower): 4,630m (15,190 ft)
Ending Altitude: 3,950m (12,960 ft)
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Trekking Time: 6-8 hours
Terrain: Alpine desert
Highlights & Experience:
Today, the trail leads through the alpine desert toward the Lava Tower, providing excellent acclimatization as you reach higher altitudes before descending to Barranco Camp. The trek to Lava Tower is a challenging one but offers sweeping views of the Western Breach and stunning volcanic formations. Descending to Barranco Camp, you’ll rest near the iconic Barranco Wall.
Accommodation: Tented camp at Barranco Camp
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Starting Altitude: 3,950m (12,960 ft)
Ending Altitude: 4,035m (13,238 ft)
Distance: 5 km (3 miles)
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours
Terrain: Alpine desert and valley
Highlights & Experience:
The day begins with a thrilling scramble up the Barranco Wall, a steep but manageable ascent that rewards with breathtaking views. After conquering the wall, the trail meanders through the Karanga Valley, providing amazing vistas and unique geological formations. Karanga Camp serves as your resting spot before the final push to base camp.
Accommodation: Tented camp at Karanga Camp
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Starting Altitude: 4,035m (13,238 ft)
Ending Altitude: 4,640m (15,091 ft)
Distance: 4 km (2.5 miles)
Trekking Time: 3-4 hours
Terrain: Alpine desert
Highlights & Experience:
The trail continues upward through the barren alpine desert toward Barafu Camp, your base camp for the summit push. This short but steep climb prepares you for the big ascent. Upon arrival at Barafu, you’ll rest, eat, and prepare for a midnight summit attempt, with stunning views of Mawenzi Peak and the journey you’ve traversed so far.
Accommodation: Tented camp at Barafu Camp
Day 6 of The best Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Machame in six (6)-Days for 2025: Barafu Camp to Summit – Uhuru Peak, then Descent to Mweka Camp
Starting Altitude: 4,640m (15,091 ft)
Summit Altitude: 5,895m (19,341 ft)
Ending Altitude: 3,080m (10,105 ft)
Distance: 17 km (10.5 miles) total
Summit Trekking Time: 7-8 hours
Descent Trekking Time: 4-6 hours
Terrain: Arctic zone to rainforest
Highlights & Experience:
The summit push begins around midnight, aiming to reach Stella Point by dawn. From there, a final ascent leads to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, where you’ll witness a stunning sunrise. After celebrating at the summit, you’ll begin the descent back to Barafu for a rest before continuing down to Mweka Camp. The descent to lower altitudes offers a well-earned rest in the rainforest.
Accommodation: Tented camp at Mweka Camp
Day 7 of the best Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Machame in six (6)-Days for 2025 : Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Starting Altitude: 3,080m (10,105 ft)
Ending Altitude: 1,640m (5,380 ft)
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Trekking Time: 3-4 hours
Terrain: Rainforest
Highlights & Experience:
The final leg of your journey descends through the lush rainforest back to Mweka Gate, where you’ll sign out and receive your certificate of achievement. Here, you’ll meet your support team to celebrate and reflect on the remarkable achievement of reaching the roof of Africa.
End of Trek: Mweka Gate with transfer back to your hotel for a hot shower and well-deserved relaxation!
Inclusions
Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
Quality Mess tents Day 1
Conservation fees (part of park fees)
All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
Clean, purified drinking water
Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
Sleeping Mattress
All meals while on the Mountain
Rescue fees (part of park fees)
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Kilimanjaro summit certificate
VAT (18% charged by the Government)
Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Exclusions
Transfers (available as an optional addon)
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
Tanzania Visa
Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
