6 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route
6 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route
Overview
Often referred to as the “Whiskey” route, Machame is known for being more challenging and costly compared to the Marangu route, earning its adventurous reputation.
When compared with other routes to Kilimanjaro’s summit, Machame offers one of the best balances between cost and effective acclimatization, making it a top choice for climbers.
The Machame route is diverse and visually stunning, passing through multiple climate zones. However, its popularity means the trail can be busy, which slightly affects the sense of remote wilderness. It begins in the southwest and descends via the Mweka route, featuring highlights such as the Shira Plateau, the Lava Tower, the Barranco Wall, and views of the southern ice field. A scenic and highly frequented trail.
6 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route
Day By Day Itinerary
Day 1: Machame Gate (1,790m) → Machame Camp (3,010m)
After breakfast, we drive for about an hour from Arusha to the Machame Gate. Here, registration and park formalities are completed before meeting your mountain crew. The trek begins through lush, dense rainforest along a steady trail, often muddy and overgrown in places. By late afternoon, we reach Machame Camp for dinner and overnight.
Distance: 10.8 km / 6.7 miles
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Machame Camp (3,010m) → Shira Camp (3,845m)
Today’s trail continues through the forest, then climbs steeply onto the Shira Plateau. The landscape opens up dramatically with rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, Mount Meru towers over the distant Arusha skyline. We arrive at Shira Camp by afternoon, with time to rest and enjoy the views.
Distance: 5.4 km / 3.4 miles
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Shira Camp (3,845m) → Barranco Camp (3,960m)
We traverse the high moorland across Kilimanjaro’s southwest slopes. The route passes beneath Lava Tower (4,600m), offering a taste of higher altitude before descending to Barranco Camp. This “climb high, sleep low” approach helps your body acclimatize. Expect dramatic scenery throughout the day, from volcanic rock formations to wide alpine landscapes.
Distance: 10.8 km / 6.7 miles
Hiking Time: 7–8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,960m) → Barafu Camp (4,640m)
The day begins with a descent into the Great Barranco Valley before a steep climb up the Barranco Wall. This is a physically demanding but non-technical scramble, offering spectacular views at the top. From here, the trail passes beneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers before reaching Karanga Valley—the final water point. The landscape then becomes barren and rocky as we push onward to Barafu Camp, our base for the summit.
Distance: 8.5 km / 5.3 miles
Hiking Time: 7–8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Barafu Camp (4,640m) → Uhuru Peak (5,895m) → Millennium Camp (3,790m)
Summit day begins around midnight. The climb is steep, following switchbacks up scree slopes toward Stella Point (5,739m). From here, a final push along the crater rim leads to Uhuru Peak (5,895m)—the highest point in Africa. After celebrating at the summit, we descend back to Barafu Camp for breakfast before continuing downhill to Millennium Camp for a well-deserved rest.
Distance: 13.4 km / 8.3 miles
Hiking Time: 12–15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Millennium Camp (3,790m) → Mweka Gate (1,630m)
A final gentle descent takes us through lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you will receive your summit certificates. From here, we transfer back to Arusha for a hot shower, relaxation, and celebration of your achievement.
Distance: 12.1 km / 7.5 miles
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
From $1,780 Per Person Sharing
Inclusive & Exclusive
Trekking Includes
- High quality mountain sleeping tents.
- 2 Nights accommodation
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
- All Park fees
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Arrival and Departure transfers
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs:
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food:
- Clean, purified drinking water:
- Crisis management and safety procedures:
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters:
- Sleeping Mattress
Trekking Exclusive
- Tanzania Visa: $50 / $100 (American residents) per person on arrival at airport
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed above
- Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
- Tips and any items of personal nature.
