Kilimanjaro: Machame Route
The Machame Route, often referred to as the "Whiskey" route, is renowned for its challenging yet rewarding climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. This route showcases stunning landscapes, ranging from lush rainforests to pristine alpine deserts. With its longer acclimatization period, the Machame Route offers a higher success rate for reaching the summit. It is the perfect choice for adventurous trekkers seeking a challenging and unforgettable experience in the breathtaking nature of Kilimanjaro.
​​​​​
​All Stunning Kilimanjaro Trekking Tours are private and fully guided, featuring a full-board meal planwith three nutritious meals per day.​ Flexible start dates are available all year round (subject to availability).​​​​​
​
Starting Point:
Total Duration:
Hiking Distance:
Elevation Gain:
Highest Point:
Difficulty Level:
​​
Popularity:
Accommodation: ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​Machame Gate, the southern entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park.
8 days, with 6 nights on Mount Kilimanjaro.
47,5 km ascending, 20 km descending.
4,095 meters from the starting point to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters – the roof of Africa!
A route with challenging and demanding terrain, but with a gradual ascent, offering excellent acclimatization opportunities and a high success rate.
A popular route, which is suitable for adventurous, well-prepared trekkers.
High quality tents (per 2 persons), mattresses and private portable toilets.​​
​*All estimated prices are per person, based on a 2 person trek.
​​Estimated Price:​​​​​​​​​​​​
Details Kilimanjaro Trekking via the Machame Route
Starting from $ 2,499.00​​​​*
Including acclimatization hikes and distinctive key highlights, such as the impressive Lava Tower, the scenic Shira Plateau, and the challenging Barranco Wall, the scenic Machame Route is one of the most popular and rewarding routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
​
Machame Route
Machame Gate & Machame Camp.
Shira Cave Camp & The Lava Tower.
Barranco Camp & The Barranco Wall.
Karanga Camp & Barafu Camp.
Stella Point & Uhuru Peak.​​​​​
​
Key Highlights
Kilimanjaro: Day-to-Day Itinerary
Keep in mind that these itineraries are just a starting point to help you plan your Stunning Kilimanjaro adventure. We specialize in creating tailor-made tours and personalized adventures and holidays, fully customized to match your personal preferences.​
- Day 1 -
Arrival and Pre-Climb Briefing
​​​
-
Upon landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be welcomed by our professional team, ready to transfer you to your accommodation in Arusha, the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro.
-
Later that day, meet your certified Kilimanjaro guide for a detailed pre-climb briefing and a comprehensive gear check to ensure you’re fully prepared for the adventure ahead.
-
Enjoy a nourishing meal and het some rest, getting ready for the thrilling trek.
​
​
From Machame Gate to Machame Camp
​​​
-
After a delicious breakfast, your dedicated mountain crew will drive you to Machame Gate (1,800 m), the southern entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park.
-
After registering and obtaining your permits, you’ll begin your trek towards Machame Camp (2,835 m).
-
Prepare for potential rain by bringing a raincoat, as the route takes you through a lush rainforest, offering a chance to spot wildlife.
-
Dinner and overnight stay await you at Machame Camp, where our team will have the camp ready with tents and a delicious meal.
​
​
​
​
​
​​​
​​​​
Altitude: 1,800 m - 2,835 m
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking duration: 5-6 hours
​
​
- Day 2 -
From Machame Camp to Shira Cave Camp
​​​
-
Start the day with a hearty breakfast at Machame Camp (2,835 m) before embarking on a gradual ascent to Shira Cave Camp (3,750 m).
-
The trek is moderate but you may feel the effects of the increasing altitude.
-
As you move past the rainforest, the stunning Shira Plateau offers panoramic views for the first time.
​
​
​
​​
​
​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​
Altitude: 2,835 m - 3,750 m
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking duration: 4-5 hours​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​
​
Acclimatization Hike towards Lava Tower Camp
-
In the afternoon, take a short acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp, with an altitude gain of more than 300 meters.
-
Return to Shira Cave Camp (3,750 m), where a hot, freshly prepared dinner will be waiting, followed by a well-deserved overnight stay.
​​
An acclimatization hike is a light trek with a gradual altitude gain, designed to help your body adapt to the thinner air at higher elevations. These hikes are essential for a successful Kilimanjaro climb and significantly reduce the risk of altitude sickness. Therefore, take them seriously to maximize your chances of reaching the summit.​​
​
​
​
​​​​​
​​
​
​​​​​​​
Altitude: 3,750 m - 4,120 m - 3,750 m
Hiking distance: 2 km
Hiking duration: 1-2 hours
​​
​
- Day 3 -
The Lava Tower & Barranco Camp
​​​
-
After breakfast at Shira Cave Camp (3,750 m), your journey continues towards one of the key highlights on this route: The Lava Tower (4,600 m).
-
This is a challenging section, due to the possible inconvenience caused by the altitude.
-
Spend 1-2 hours at Lava Tower to properly acclimatize, while you enjoy your lunch.
-
After the break continue descending to Barranco Camp (3,900 m), where dinner and rest await.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​​
Altitude: 3,750 m - 4,600 m - 3,900 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking duration: 6-8 hours​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​
​
- Day 4 -
- Day 5 -
The Great Barranco Wall & Karanga Camp
​​​​
-
After an early breakfast, start your climb of the famous Barranco Wall (4,202 m).
-
This climb is quite easy and takes about an hour.
-
Once at the top, take photos with the majestic Kibo volcano in the background.
-
Then descend to Karanga Camp (3,995 m) for lunch.
​
​​
​​​
​
​
​​
​
​​​​
Altitude: 3,900 m - 4,202 m - 3,995 m
Hiking distance: 6 km
Hiking duration: 4-5 hours
​​​​​​​​​
​​
​
Acclimatization Hike towards Barafu Camp
​​​
-
In the afternoon, you will take a short acclimatization hike towards Barafu Camp (4,270 m), then descend back to Karanga Camp (3,995 m) for dinner and overnight.​​​​​​​​​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​​​
Altitude: 3,995 m - 4,270 m - 3,995 m
Hiking distance: 2.5 km
Hiking duration: 1-2 hours
​​​​​​​​​​​​
​
- Day 6 -
From Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
​​​
-
After breakfast at Karanga Camp (3,995 m), head to Barafu Summit Camp (4,673 m).
-
Known for its chilly winds and freezing temperatures, Barafu lives up to its name.
-
The camp will be prepared for you, complete with tents and sleeping bags, for a well-deserved rest.​​
​​
​
​
​
​
​
​​
Altitude: 3,995 m - 4,673 m
Hiking distance: 4 km
Hiking duration: 4-5 hours​​​​​​​
​​
​​
​
Acclimatization Hike towards Kosovo Camp
​​​
-
Later you will take another short acclimatization hike towards Kosovo Summit Camp (4,800 m) before returning to Barafu Camp (4,673) for dinner.
-
You can spend the evening resting in preparation for the summit attempt at night.​​​​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​​​
Altitude: 4,673 m - 4,800 m - 4,673 m
Hiking distance: 2 km
Hiking duration: 1-2 hours
​​​​​​​​​​​​
​
Conquering Heights: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m)
​​​
-
Depart from Barafu Camp (4,673 m) around midnight, and begin your summit push to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa, passing Stella Point (5,756 m) along the way.
-
The final stretch can be challenging due to the high altitude, but the reward is witnessing the sunrise at the highest point in Africa.
-
Celebrate your success and enjoy the spectacular views of glaciers.​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​​​
Altitude: 4,673 - 5,756 m - 5,895 m
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking duration: 6-7 hours
​​​​​​​​​
​​
​
The Descent Back to Mweka Camp
​​​​​
-
After celebrating your achievement and a well-deserved rest you'll start your descent to Barafu Camp (4,673 m), after which you'll continue to Mweka Camp (3,100 m).
​The descent is faster but challenging, due to the steep trail, especially after the long morning of trekking.​
​
​​​​​​
​​​​​
​​​​​
Altitude: 5,895 m - 4,673 m - 3,100 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking duration: 6-7 hours (2 hours of rest at Barafu Camp excluded)
​
​​​​​​
- Day 7 -
The Final Descent to Mweka Gate
​​​
-
Upon reaching Mweka Gate (1,640 m), you will celebrate your incredible achievement of reaching Mount Kilimanjaro's summit, and you receive your official certificates to remember the experience by.
-
You will get a transfer back to your hotel in Arusha for a relaxing shower, dinner, and overnight stay.
-
Depending on your departure, this marks the end of your Stunning Kilimanjaro adventure.
​​
​​
​​
​​
​​
​​
​​​​
Altitude: 3,100 m - 1,640 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking duration: 3-4 hours
​​​​​​
​​​
- Day 8 -
- Day 9 -
- Day 10 -
- Day 11 -
- Day 12 -
What is the Next Step?
​
-
Your Kilimanjaro experience may be complete, but the wonders of Tanzania are far from over.
-
Whether you choose an epic wildlife safari in the Serengeti or a serene getaway on the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar, your adventure continues.
-
This is the perfect opportunity to explore more of East Africa’s breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultures, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
​
​
Mission Accomplished!
You’ve reached the Roof of Africa through the Machame Route.
Included
​​
-
All entrance fees including government taxes.
-
All activities (unless indicated as optional).
-
All accommodations as mentioned in the itinerary.
-
A professional driver and mountain guide, including expert guidance and informative commentary.
-
3 meals per day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
-
Unlimited bottles of drinking water.
-
Transportation to and from the base of the mountain.
-
Pick-up and drop-off at the airport.
-
Camping equipment and porter services.​
-
Official certificates issued by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA).
​
Excluded
​​​
-
International and/or domestic flights.
-
Tips (read Additional Advice).
-
Visa (50 USD for Tanzania)
-
Medical and/or travel insurance.
-
Local SIM card.
-
Personal expenses, such as souvenirs.
-
Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and meals not specified as included.​
-
Climbing gear (can be rented upon request).
-
Medical evacuation by helicopter.
-
Increases in taxes or park fees initiated by the government or other official authorities.​​​​​
​