6 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route
6 Days from $1720 per person
Nicknamed the “Whiskey” route for being more difficult and expensive than the Marangu route, the Machame route is one of the best options for climbing Kilimanjaro, offering great acclimatization and stunning scenery. Though challenging and physically demanding, it’s well-suited for adventurous trekkers with some hiking experience. The route is scenically diverse, passing through five climatic zones, with highlights including the expansive Shira Plateau, a scramble up Lava Tower, the Great Barranco Wall, and Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field. While its popularity leads to crowded trails, the route offers excellent acclimatization with walk high, sleep low opportunities and the option to split the pre-summit climb for better rest before summiting. Climbers ascend from the southwest and descend via the Mweka route.
Tour highlights
- Day 1: Machame Gate (1,800m) to Machame Camp (2,835m)
- Day 2: Machame Camp (2,835m) to Shira Camp (3,850m)
- Day 3: Shira Camp (3,850m) to Barranco Camp (3,900m) via Lava Tower (4,600m)
- Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
- Day 5: Barafu Camp (4,673m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and descend to Mweka Camp
- Day 6: Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka Gate (1,640m)
The price includes:-
- Professional, English-speaking Guide
- Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
- Pre and Post accommodations (2 nights Bed and Breakfast)
- Complimentary Oxygen Cylinder
- Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages Cylinder
- Meals And Drinks
- Drinking water and Full Board Meals
- Pickup and Transfer to Airport
The price Excludes:-
- International flights; available upon request
- Tips for porters and mountain crew
- Personal gear rentals; (available upon request)
- Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks & beverages
- Travel or Medical Insurance is required and you should ask for Recommendation
- Additional lodge nights if early descent from the mountain
- Medication
- Duration: 7 or 8 days
- Difficulty: Medium
- Scenery: Good
- Traffic: High
Price per person
Solo
2 pax
3 pax
4 pax
5 pax
6 pax
7+ pax
$2,021 USD*
$1,967 USD*
$1,904 USD*
$1,828 USD*
$1,816 USD*
$1,798 USD*
$1,720 USD*
Day 0: Arrival in Moshi at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) our driver will be waiting just outside the Customs Control area with a Nyange Adventure sign with your name on it. After he loads your bags into our van, he will drive you to your hotel in Moshi. Once you are settled in, your guide will go through a pre-climb briefing where all your questions will be answered and important information will be given. There will be an equipment check to ensure that you have everything needed to make your climb comfortable and safe. If you need any equipment, any/all items can be rented locally of good quality at a fair price. Note that if your arrival is at night, the briefing and equipment check may be done early the next morning instead.
Day 1: Hotel to Machame Camp
Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
Tour Features
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
- Distance: 11km/7mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.
Tour Features
- Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Walking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Heathland
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Tour Features
- Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Walking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elev 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp with views of the summit in the distance.
Tour Features
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 9km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), 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 you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Tour Features
- Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
- Down to 3090m/10,150ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
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).
Wetu Africa Adventures vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).
Tour Features
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: Breakfast
Price per person
Solo
2 pax
3 pax
4 pax
5 pax
6 pax
7+ pax
$2,021 USD*
$1,967 USD*
$1,904 USD*
$1,828 USD*
$1,816 USD*
$1,798 USD*
$1,720 USD*
Interested In This Tour
Wetu Africa Adventures is a popular choice due to our professionalism, commitment to responsible tourism, license, flexibility, quality vehicles, and customer satisfaction. The company prioritizes sustainability, ethical practices, and ensuring a memorable and fulfilling safari experience during wildlife excursions, which sets it apart.
