The best7-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route – Complete Itinerary
The best7-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route – Complete Itinerary, The Machame Route is one of the most popular and scenic routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, offering a diverse experience through different ecosystems. Known as the “Whiskey Route” due to its challenging nature compared to the “Coca-Cola” Marangu Route, the 7-day itinerary allows extra time for acclimatization, increasing the chances of a successful summit at Uhuru Peak.
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation: 1,640m (5,380ft) to 2,835m (9,300ft)
Distance: 11 km (7 miles)
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Description: After registration at the Machame Gate, your trek begins through the lush rainforest, where the trail is often muddy and slippery. You’ll hike steadily uphill, passing through thick vegetation, towering trees, and hanging moss. The day ends at Machame Camp, where you’ll rest for the night in tents.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation: 2,835m (9,300ft) to 3,750m (12,500ft)
Distance: 5 km (3 miles)
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Description: Leaving the rainforest behind, the landscape opens up as you ascend into the moorland. The trail becomes rockier, and you’ll begin to see the first clear views of Kibo Peak. The climb is shorter but steeper, eventually leading to the Shira Plateau, an expansive high-altitude desert. You’ll camp overnight at Shira Camp, with incredible views of Kilimanjaro’s peaks.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower, Then to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3,750m (12,500ft) to 4,600m (15,090ft) (Lava Tower), then down to 3,950m (13,044ft)
Distance: 10 km (6 miles)
Hiking Time: 7-9 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Description: This day is critical for acclimatization as you climb to Lava Tower at 4,600m. Though the ascent is steep and the altitude challenging, this gradual approach is designed to help your body adjust to the thinning air. After spending some time at Lava Tower, you’ll descend to Barranco Camp, which sits below the stunning Great Barranco Wall. This “climb high, sleep low” approach is key for acclimatization.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 3,950m (13,044ft) to 4,035m (13,106ft)
Distance: 5 km (3 miles)
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Description: The day begins with the exciting scramble up the Great Barranco Wall, which, although steep, doesn’t require technical climbing. Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Kibo Peak and the valleys below. The path then follows a series of ridges and valleys until reaching Karanga Camp. This relatively short hike helps with further acclimatization.
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4,035m (13,106ft) to 4,640m (15,223ft)
Distance: 4 km (2.5 miles)
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Description: Today’s trek is short but steep, as you ascend to Barafu Camp, the base camp for the final summit push. The landscape is barren, and the altitude becomes more noticeable as you reach higher elevations. Once at Barafu Camp, you’ll rest, have an early dinner, and prepare for the midnight ascent to the summit.
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, Then Down to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4,640m (15,223ft) to 5,895m (19,341ft) (Uhuru Peak), then down to 3,080m (10,105ft)
Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles) ascent, 12 km (7.5 miles) descent
Hiking Time: 10-15 hours (6-8 hours ascent, 4-7 hours descent)
Habitat: Arctic (summit), then Alpine Desert and Moorland
Description: The final ascent to Uhuru Peak starts around midnight. The trail is steep and challenging, with loose scree making progress slow. After reaching Stella Point (5,756m) on the crater rim, you’ll continue on to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Celebrate at the summit, then begin your descent back to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing to Mweka Camp through rocky and moorland terrain.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3,080m (10,105ft) to 1,640m (5,380ft)
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Description: The final leg of your trek takes you back through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate. The trail is often muddy, so be prepared for a slippery descent. At Mweka Gate, you’ll sign out and receive your certificates – green for reaching Stella Point and gold for reaching Uhuru Peak. A vehicle will be waiting to transport you back to your hotel.
Inclusions
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- 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
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic flights
- Tips and gratuities
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)
