The Best 7-days Kilimanjaro Climbing on Machame Route-2025 with itinerary
The Best 7-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing on the Machame Route – 2025
The 7-day
Route offers one of the best opportunities for acclimatization while still providing climbers with the breathtaking scenery Kilimanjaro is known for. The extra day on this trek gives you more time to adjust to the altitude, significantly increasing your chances of a successful summit. Known as the “Whiskey” route, the Machame Route is more physically demanding compared to the Marangu Route but is favored for its challenging yet rewarding experience.
Why Choose the 7-Day Machame Route?
Excellent Acclimatization: The longer itinerary allows for better acclimatization, increasing your likelihood of reaching the summit successfully.
Incredible Landscapes: From the lush rainforest to the alpine desert and volcanic formations, you’ll experience some of the most diverse landscapes on Kilimanjaro.
Adventurous Trek: The 7-day Machame Route involves some challenging sections, such as the Barranco Wall, but rewards climbers with stunning panoramic views.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Moshi
Arrival: Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transfer to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-climb Briefing: Meet your guides for a briefing, equipment check, and an overview of the climb ahead.
Accommodation: Overnight at a Moshi hotel.
Day 2: Moshi to Machame Camp
Elevation: 1,800m to 3,000m (5,905ft to 9,843ft)
Distance: 11 km (7 miles)
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest After breakfast, you’ll be driven to the Machame Gate, where your climb begins. The trail takes you through a tropical rainforest with towering trees and unique wildlife. Arrive at Machame Camp in the late afternoon, where you’ll spend your first night on the mountain.
Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation: 3,000m to 3,840m (9,843ft to 12,598ft)
Distance: 5 km (3 miles)
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland As you leave the rainforest behind, the trail climbs steeply into the moorland zone. You’ll cross the Shira Plateau with stunning views of the mountain peaks before reaching Shira Camp.
Day 4: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
Elevation: 3,840m to 4,630m (12,598ft to 15,190ft), then descend to 3,960m (12,992ft)
Distance: 10 km (6 miles)
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert Today is a crucial acclimatization day. You’ll ascend to Lava Tower (4,630m), giving your body time to adjust to the high altitude. After a break at Lava Tower, you’ll descend to Barranco Camp, known for its incredible views of the Barranco Wall and Mount Kilimanjaro’s glaciers.
Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 3,960m to 4,035m (12,992ft to 13,238ft)
Distance: 5 km (3 miles)
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert Begin your day with a thrilling climb up the Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical scramble. Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys. The trek continues across the Karanga Valley to Karanga Camp, where you’ll spend the night.
Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4,035m to 4,673m (13,238ft to 15,331ft)
Distance: 4 km (2.5 miles)
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert Today’s hike to Barafu Camp is relatively short but steep as you climb through the desolate alpine desert. Upon arrival at Barafu Camp, you’ll have time to rest and prepare for the summit push. Early dinner and rest are crucial, as the summit trek begins around midnight.
Day 7: Summit Day – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4,673m to 5,895m (15,331ft to 19,341ft), then descend to 3,068m (10,065ft)
Distance: 17 km (10.5 miles)
Hiking Time: 12-15 hours
Habitat: Arctic zone to Rainforest Start the final ascent around midnight, trekking under the stars towards Stella Point (5,756m). This is the most physically demanding part of the climb, but the rewards are great. From Stella Point, continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After celebrating your achievement, descend back to Barafu Camp for a short rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp for the night.
Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3,068m to 1,640m (10,065ft to 5,380ft)
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely hike through the rainforest as you descend to Mweka Gate. At the gate, you’ll receive your summit certificate and be transferred back to Moshi for a well-earned rest.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home or onward travel.
Inclusions
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- Sleeping Mattress
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
Exclusions
- Tanzania Visa
- International and domestic flights
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
