6 Day Machame Route Trekking
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- 6 Days 5 Nights
- All weather
Tour Overview
The Machame Route, also called the “Whiskey Route,” is one of Kilimanjaro’s most scenic and popular treks. Known for its steeper trails and longer hiking days compared to Marangu, it offers a true adventure with nights spent in tents beneath the stars. While it can be completed in six days, many climbers prefer seven for better acclimatization and a higher chance of reaching the summit. Beginning at Machame Gate on the southern slopes, the trail passes through lush rainforest, climbs onto the Shira Plateau, and follows the dramatic southern circuit with breathtaking views from all sides of the mountain. The summit push comes from the east before descending via Mweka trail, making this route both challenging and unforgettable.


Trip Itinerary
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
One hour’s drive from Moshi to Machame gate, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.
Approx. time taken: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.
Approx. time taken: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Barranco Camp (3960m) to Barafu Camp (4640m) Our day starts by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley, which is our last stop for fresh water before the summit. Scree now forms the terrain as we walk through arid and desolate land towards Barafu camp.
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m) We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Included
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome hot shower.
Tour Pricing
- Park fees
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- 4X4 Custom built – Toyota Land cruiser during Safari
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Drinking water (On all days)
- International flights (From/to home)
- Domestic flights
- Balloon Safari over the Serengeti (can be arranged with extra cost)
- Tips
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fee
from $1750 per person
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