6-Day Machame Route for Trek Kilimanjaro: Ultimate Adventure
The Kilimanjaro Machame Route is one of the most popular and scenic routes, often referred to as the "Whiskey Route" due to its challenging yet rewarding nature.
- Duration: 6 days
- Difficulty: Moderate to Chalenging
- Price Per Person: $ 1,690- $ 1,750
- stunning scenery
Overview: Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trekking
The Machame Route, known as the “Whiskey Route,” is one of the most popular and scenic ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Over six days, trekkers will experience varying landscapes, from lush rainforests to alpine deserts, culminating in the majestic summit of Uhuru Peak. The route offers stunning panoramic views of the mountain, providing a sense of adventure and accomplishment for hikers. With a gradual ascent, this route provides a good balance of acclimatization and an exciting challenge for trekkers. The six-day trek includes well-established camps along the way, ensuring a safe and comfortable journey to the summit. Here’s a breakdown of the itinerary and what to expect each day during the Machame Route trek.
Trip Highlights
- Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp (Elevation: 1,800m to 3,000m)
- Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp (Elevation: 3,000m to 3,850m)
- Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp (Elevation: 3,850m to 4,630m to 3,950m)
- Day 4 : Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (Elevation: 3,950m to 4,750m)
- Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit (Uhuru Peak) to Mweka Camp (Elevation: 4,750m to 5,895m to 3,100m)
- Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (Elevation: 3,100m to 1,640m)
What is Included
- Airport transfers (pick-up and drop-off)
- National park fees and camping fees
- Rescue fees
- Oxygen cylinders and first aid kit
- All meals while on the mountain
- Cleaned, Purified and drinking water
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- VAT (18% charged by government)
- Quality mess tents with table and chair
- Professional and experienced mountain guides
- All necessary trekking gear such as tents, sleeping bags, etc.
- Large portions of fresh, healthy and nutritious food
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
What is not Included
- International and Domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal items and gear (such as Clothing, trekking boots etc.)
- Soft drinks, alcohol or additional snacks
- Accommodation before and after trekking
- Tips and gratitude (senior guide $25 per day from the whole group, Assistant guide $20 per day for whole group, cooks $15 per day for whole group and Porters $10 per day from whole group.
Day 0: Arrival and Trek Briefing
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our team will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi for your first night in Tanzania. After settling in and resting for the day, you’ll have an informative trek briefing late in the afternoon, where your guide will provide all the necessary details about the upcoming climb. This is also a great opportunity to ask any questions and ensure you are prepared for the trek.
Kilimanjaro Trekking Gallery
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp (Elevation: 1,800m to 3,000m)
After breakfast, we will drive you from the hotel to the Machame Gate, the official entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park. Once at the gate, we will take care of all the necessary permits, and you will be ready to start your adventure. The first day of trekking is a steady ascent through a lush rainforest. This portion of the trek takes approximately 5-6 hours and covers a distance of about 12 km. The habitat transitions from dense forest to the lower montane zone as you approach Machame Camp.
Machame Camp, located at an elevation of 3,000 meters, is a scenic spot with views of the surrounding forest and is a perfect place to rest and acclimatize. Here, you’ll enjoy a warm dinner, and your guide will brief you on the next day’s trek.
Trekking Features
- Elevation Gain: 1,200 meters
- Distance: 12 km
- Distance: 12 km
- Habitat: Rainforest, dense vegetation
- Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
- Overnight stay in tents
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp (Elevation: 3,000m to 3,850m)
On the second day of the trek, we continue our climb by traversing through the montane zone, which opens up to a more arid, heathland environment. After breakfast, you’ll start your trek towards Shira Camp, located at an altitude of 3,850 meters. The hike today is approximately 5-6 hours and covers a distance of about 8 km. As you ascend, the landscape changes with the emergence of more exposed rocky terrain and scenic views of Kilimanjaro’s western glaciers.
Shira Camp offers stunning views of the Shira Plateau and is known for its stunning sunset views. This is another key point for acclimatization and will allow your body to adjust to the increased altitude.
Trekking Features
- Elevation Gain: 850 meters
- Distance: 8 km
- Trekking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Heathland and moorland
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
- Overnight stay in tents
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp (Elevation: 3,850m to 4,630m to 3,950m)
This is one of the most exciting days of the trek, as we hike up to the Lava Tower at 4,630 meters, before descending to Barranco Camp at 3,950 meters. The route today takes trekkers through the alpine desert zone, which is quite rocky and barren, and you will encounter spectacular views of the mountain’s glaciers and volcanic rock formations.
After reaching Lava Tower, you’ll descend for a 3-4 hour trek to Barranco Camp, a beautiful site nestled beneath the towering Barranco Wall. The total hiking time today is around 7-8 hours and a distance of about 10 km. This day allows for crucial acclimatization as the body experiences both ascending and descending at high altitudes.
Trekking Features
- Habitat: Alpine desert and rocky terrain
- Distance: 10 km
- Trekking Time: 7-8 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
- Overnight stay in tents
Day 4 : Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (Elevation: 3,950m to 4,750m)
On this day, we tackle the famous Barranco Wall, which is a steep, but short climb that requires some scrambling. After conquering the Barranco Wall, the route continues along a ridge with panoramic views of the summit and the surrounding valleys. The hike to Barafu Camp will take approximately 6-7 hours and covers a distance of about 9 km.
Barafu Camp is located at 4,750 meters, and it serves as the base camp for the summit bid. Here, you will rest and have an early dinner before preparing for the challenging summit push the following day. It’s essential to hydrate well and rest, as you will be starting your summit attempt at midnight.
Trekking Features
- Habitat: Alpine desert and rocky terrain
- Distance: 9 km
- Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
- Overnight stay in tents
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit (Uhuru Peak) to Mweka Camp (Elevation: 4,750m to 5,895m to 3,100m)
Today is the most challenging and rewarding day of the trek. The hike to the summit begins around midnight, and we will climb in the dark to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) at sunrise. The trek is steep and demanding, but the sense of achievement at reaching the roof of Africa is worth every step.
After summiting, you’ll descend to Mweka Camp, located at 3,100 meters, for a well-deserved rest. The total trek time on this day is approximately 12-14 hours, with a distance of 16 km. The descent to Mweka Camp is long, but it provides incredible views of the mountain as you make your way down.
Trekking Features
- Elevation Gain: 1,145 meters ascent, 2,795 meters descent
- Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles
- Trekking Time: 12-14 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
- Overnight stay in tents
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (Elevation: 3,100m to 1,640m)
On the final day, we descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, which takes about 3-4 hours. This is a straightforward trek through the rainforest, and as you descend, you’ll experience a refreshing change in vegetation and wildlife. Once at the gate, you’ll be greeted by the company vehicle, which will take you back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Trekking Features
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Distance: 10 km
- Trekking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Arctic
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
- Overnight stay in tents
Price Per Person
SEASON & DATES
2 pax
4 pax
6 pax
PRICE
Per Person
$1,750 USD*
$1,710 USD*
$1,690 USD*
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