Kilimanjaro · Machame Route

6 Days Machame Route

Duration: 6 Days
Route: Machame Route
Highest point: 13,000 ft
Price: From $1,500

Tour Overview

The 6 Days Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey Route,” is one of the most popular and scenic ways to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. You get wide views, a lot of different landscapes and a pace that helps your body get used to the altitude. The route comes up from the south, through rainforest, moorland, alpine desert and glacier country, to the summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895m).

Compared with shorter trips, this 6-day version mixes hard climbing days with good acclimatization, which gives you a better chance of reaching the top. It suits fit climbers who want a full and varied Kilimanjaro climb with plenty to look at.

Along the way you’ll scramble up the cliffs of the Barranco Wall and walk up to Lava Tower to help you acclimatize. Each day on Africa’s highest mountain brings something new.

6 Days Machame Route + 2 Nights in Hotel — Route map · open full size

Highlights

Offers the best route for acclimatization
Enjoy the climb through forest, moorland and desert
Spot the black &white color Monkey

Itinerary

Ascent profile, in feet: Machame Gate 5,400 ft to Barranco Camp 13,000 ft. Select a point to read that day.

Pre day Arriving in Tanzania

All trekkers need to organize their own flight to Kilimanjaro international Airport [JRO]. From JRO you will be met by our staff and transferred to Moshi in the peaceful surrounds of our comfortable pre and post trek accommodation from where there are great views of the mountain. You can relax by the pool before your briefing with the Guides, who will provide the essential information for your trek to the roof of Africa.

The Hotel we are using is between these

Parkview Inn Hotel

Panama Garden Resort

Weruweru River Lodge
Day 1 Machame Gate to Machame Camp

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

After finishing registration, we now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp for overnight.

Elevation (ft)
5,400ft to 9,400ft
Hiking time
6-7 hours
Distance
11 km
Habitat
Rain Forest
Transport
Private
Accommodation
Camping
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & 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 little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.It will be colder tonight than the previous night with temperatures possibly falling below freezing.

Elevation (ft)
9,400ft to 12,500ft
Hiking time
5-6 hours
Distance
5 km
Habitat
Moorland
Accommodation
Camping
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & 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." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Elevation (ft)
12,500ft to 13,000ft
Hiking time
6-8 hours
Distance
10 km
Habitat
Semi Desert
Accommodation
Camping
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 Barranco camp (3950m)- Barafu camp (4550m)

After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than what you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you reach Barafu Hut.

The last water stop on the route is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.

Hiking time
7 hours
Distance
Approximately 13 kilometers
Habitat
Alpine Desert
Accommodation
Camping
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 (Summit attempt) Barafu camp (4550m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)

You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers, this 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak.

The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared.

Hiking time
8h to reach Uhuru Peak, 7 – 8h to descend to Mweka
Distance
Approximately 7 kms ascent – 23 kms descent
Habitat
Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Accommodation
Camping
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 Mweka camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1980m)

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to Moshi town for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

Depart Tanzania

This day left for your next destination. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to Zanzibar or fly back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.

Hiking time
3 hours
Distance
Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat
Forest
Accommodation
Camping
Meals
Breakfast

Places on This Trip

Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park

Include

6 Days 5 Nights Machame Route
-Private transport from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
Private transport to Kilimanjaro International Airport after trek to catch your flight back home
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
National Park entry fees, camping fees, rescue fees
18% VAT on tour fees & services
4 Season Mountain tents with comfortable Sleeping Mattress
2 nights of your hotel stay before and after trek in Moshi.
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters [average ratio of support staff to climber is 4:1 in a group]
3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
Hot water for washing
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
Government taxes
Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
Emergency first-aid kit

Exclude

Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
Travel insurance
Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 100 for the entire trek shared in a group.
Flights
Laundry (Available at hotel)
Personal items and toiletries
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the
Mountain: http://www.kiliporters.org/tipping_recommendations.php
Guides: $20/day/guide
Cook: $15/day
Porter: $10/day/porter

Prices

Standard Package Price For 6 Days Machame Route + 2 Nights in Hotel

People in Group	1-2	3-5	6-8	9+
Standard Package	$1,778	$1,680	$1,590	$1,500

Prices in US dollars.

Trekking Preparation

Testimonials

What Our Travelers Say About Our Tours

Highly Experienced and Wonderful Crew
The 7 days Lemosho route Kilimanjaro trek exceeded our expectations. The route is so beautiful and we enjoyed tackling the mountain with experienced guides - Bakari and Nickson. They were supportive from start to finish in all the aspects of the trek, starting with the technical strategy on the speed, rests and ensuring that we were healthy through regular checks.
SteveRead on TripAdvisor (Steve’s review)
Absolutely Beautiful Memories For My Family
Traveling with my 6 members of my family of ages between 8 and 73 is always a complex task with many moving parts. We had to arrange for Mama and Poppas dietary restrictions, accommodations, easy access for Mama and off-course places with a pool and kids activities for Lil Poppa and his teenage sister Anna.
Martina_EaghanRead on TripAdvisor (Martina_Eaghan’s review)
Awesome Trekking
My bothers and I shared one of the most incredible experiences in Tanzania as we trekked up Kilimanjaro. Our host Naick of Kilisa Tours & Safaris is the man behind our success.
TobiasRead on TripAdvisor (Tobias’s review)
Fun & Adventure On Our Christmas Vacation
Our safari to Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti with Kilisa Tours and Safaris for exceeded all our expectations in every way. We were impressed by the high standards set right from our pickup at the airport, during the trip to the good byes. Nothing was left to chance as every detail had been well planned for.
MauriceRead on TripAdvisor (Maurice’s review)
The Best Experience Absolutely
We could not have asked for a better experience on Kilimanjaro. Everything about this trip with this local operator was top notch. Starting with the booking with Naick who made it smooth and easy with his timely responses and advice. Payment was easy and they took care of all the logistics that all we had to do was present ourselves at the KIA.
LokiRead on TripAdvisor (Loki’s review)
Hike Mt Kilimanjaro
We have visited Tanzania before, but this was our first time trekking Kilimanjaro. We are truly thrilled with our decision to choose Kilisa Tours & Safaris for our adventure, as they provided exceptional support throughout the trek.
Tephia SRead on TripAdvisor (Tephia S’s review)