Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking

Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking | Machame Route

• 8 Days | 7 Nights
• Kilimanjaro National Park

The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey Route”, is the second most popular option for climbing Kilimanjaro. This route provides a diverse range of views, landscapes, and experiences.

Unlike the gradual incline and hut accommodations found on the Marangu Route, the climbers on Machame hike steeper trails for longer distances while sleeping in tents. The Machame Route climb can be done in a minimum of six days on the mountain, but it is highly recommended to take seven days for a better altitude acclimatization schedule. The journey begins at Machame Gate, located at the mountain’s southern base and surrounded by lush, fertile rainforest. The route then proceeds towards the Shira Plateau before circling along the southern circuit, providing breathtaking views from every angle. The ascent to the summit is made from the east, and the descent follows the Mweka trail.

Itinerary Plan

Day 0: Arrival – Pre-trek Briefing
If you have chosen to use our airport transfer service, we will collect you from Kilimanjaro Airport and take you to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Your guide will meet you at the hotel for a pre-trek briefing, which is scheduled for the day after your arrival. We recommend that you arrive at least one day before the trek begins. During the briefing, we will discuss the trek and review your equipment. If you require any additional equipment, we can arrange for it to be rented from our store.

Day 1: Machame Gate – Machame Camp
After breakfast, you will be transferred from Moshi or Arusha to Machame Gate (1,640m / 5,381ft) for registration and final trek preparations. The hike begins through the lush and scenic rainforest, where you may spot blue monkeys and unique tropical vegetation. The trail is muddy and can be slippery, but the forest scenery is beautiful and rewarding. After approximately 5–6 hours of hiking covering 11km (7 miles), you will arrive at Machame Camp (2,972m / 9,751ft) for dinner and overnight.
Zone: Rain Forest
Hiking Time: 5–6 hrs
Distance: 11 km / 7 miles

Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira 2 Camp
Today the trail continues uphill as you leave the rainforest and enter the heath and moorland zone, with expansive views of Mount Meru and the Shira Plateau. The landscape becomes more open with giant heathers and volcanic rock formations. After trekking for about 4–6 hours over a distance of 5km (3 miles), you will reach Shira 2 Camp (3,804m / 12,480ft) for dinner and overnight.
Zone: Heath & Moorland
Hiking Time: 4–6 hrs
Distance: 5 km / 3 miles

Day 3: Shira 2 Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp
This day is an important acclimatization day. You will hike gradually upward across the alpine desert landscape toward Lava Tower (4,630m / 15,190ft). After reaching the tower, you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,950m / 12,959ft). This “climb high, sleep low” approach greatly improves your chances of a successful summit. The trek takes approximately 4–5 hours and covers 7km (4.2 miles).
Zone: Alpine Desert
Hiking Time: 4–5 hrs
Distance: 7 km / 4.2 miles

Day 4: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp
After breakfast, you begin the day with the exciting climb up the famous Barranco Wall, a steep but enjoyable scramble offering stunning views. Once at the top, the trail continues through ridges and valleys before reaching Karanga Camp (4,033m / 13,232ft). Today’s hike takes around 4–5 hours and covers approximately 6km (3 miles).
Zone: Alpine Desert
Hiking Time: 4–5 hrs
Distance: 6 km / 3 miles

Day 5: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp
Today you will trek steadily up toward Barafu Camp (4,556m / 14,948ft), the base camp for your summit attempt. The environment is cold and dry with an alpine desert landscape. Upon arrival, you will rest, enjoy an early dinner, and prepare for the midnight summit push. The hike takes about 4–5 hours and covers 4km (2 miles).
Zone: Alpine Desert
Hiking Time: 4–5 hrs
Distance: 4 km / 2 miles

Day 6: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp
This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the trek. You will start your summit attempt around midnight, climbing steadily toward Stella Point and then continuing to Uhuru Peak (5,895m / 19,341ft), the highest point in Africa. After enjoying the sunrise and taking photos at the summit, you will descend back down to Barafu Camp for a short rest, then continue to Mweka Camp (3,100m / 10,171ft) for dinner and overnight.
Zone: Ice Camp / Rain Forest
Hiking Time: 7–8 hrs up / 4–6 hrs down
Distance: 12 km / 7 miles

Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate
After breakfast, you will descend through the rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,640m / 5,381ft). The trail can be wet and slippery, but the forest scenery is refreshing after days in the alpine zone. Upon arrival at the gate, you will sign out, receive your summit certificates, and transfer back to Moshi or Arusha. Today’s trek takes approximately 3–4 hours and covers 10km (6 miles).

Zone: Rain Forest
Hiking Time: 3–4 hrs
Distance: 10 km / 6 miles

Inclusions and Exclusions