Machame Route –7 Days Trek/9 Days Tour Date of Travel
Trekking Spot
Machame Camp,Machame Camp , Shira Camp,Lava Tower,BarrancoCamp,Barranco Camp ,Karanga CampKaranga Camp ,Barafu Camp,Uhuru Peak (Summit) Mweka Camp,Arusha Kilimanjaro International Airport
Duration
9 Days | 8 Nights
Price
From $2,744 per person sharing
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Trip Overview
The 9-day Machame Route is one of the most popular and scenic ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Often called the “Whiskey Route,” it is known for its beautiful landscapes and varied terrain. The trail begins on the southern side of the mountain and passes through rainforest, heather and moorland, and alpine desert before reaching the summit zone. The route follows a “climb high, sleep low” profile, which helps with acclimatization and increases summit success rates.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Day: Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha (1 hour)
Your Tanzanian adventure begins as you touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), the gateway to the safari circuit. On a clear day, you may catch a glimpse of Mount Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak from the tarmac.
You will be welcomed by a representative and transferred to your hotel in Arusha, a vibrant city nestled at the foot of Mount Meru. Depending on your arrival time, you safari briefing may take place today or early tomorrow meaning.
Overnight
Arusha Serena
Main Destination
Arusha city
Meals
Dinner
Day 2: Arusha – Machame Gate – Machame Camp
After an early breakfast, you will depart Arusha for the scenic drive to the Machame Gate. After completing the park registration, you enter the lush montane rainforest. The trail is often misty and can be muddy, winding through ancient trees draped in moss. Listen for the calls of Black-and-white Colobus monkeys as you make your first steady ascent.
- Elevation: 1,640m – 2,850m
- Altitude Gain: 1,210m
- Hiking Time: 5 – 7 hours
- Distance: 11 km
Overnight
Machame Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Machame Camp – Shira Camp
Today, the trail leaves the forest behind and steepens significantly as you enter the heath and moorland zone. You will trek along a rocky ridge and across the Shira Plateau. On a clear day, you will be rewarded with your first unobstructed views of the jagged Shira Cathedral and the massive Kibo Peak ahead.
- Elevation: 2,850m – 3,750m
- Altitude Gain: 900m
- Hiking Time: 4 – 6 hours
- Distance: 5 km
Overnight
Shira Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Shira Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp
This is a critical day for your body to adjust to the thinning air. You will hike east toward the Alpine Desert, ascending to the iconic Lava Tower, a 300ft volcanic rock formation. After lunch at the tower, you will descend into the beautiful Barranco Valley, passing through a forest of prehistoric-looking Giant Groundsels
- Elevation: 3,750m – 3,900m (via 4600m at Lava Tower)
- Altitude Gain/Loss: 850m ascent / 700m descent
- Hiking Time: 6 – 8 hours
- Distance: 10 km
Overnight
Barranco Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp
The day starts with the most famous scramble on the mountain: the Barranco Wall. While it looks intimidating, it is a non-technical climb that requires using your hands for balance. From the top, you will enjoy spectacular views of the southern glaciers. The trail then traverses a series of ridges and valleys before reaching Karanga Camp
- Elevation: 3,900m – 3,995m
- Altitude Gain: 95m
- Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours
- Distance: 5 km
Overnight
Karanga Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp
You will continue your ascent through the stark, lunar-like landscape of the Alpine Desert. The trail leads you to the Barafu Camp, which sits on a narrow, rocky ridge. This is your “Base Camp.” You will spend the afternoon resting, hydrating, and preparing your gear for the midnight summit bid.
- Elevation: 3,995 m – 4,673m
- Altitude Gain: 678m
- Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours
- Distance: 4 km
Overnight
Barafu Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak (Summit) – Mweka Camp
Your “Summit Day” begins around midnight. Guided by headlamps, you will climb the steep frozen scree toward the crater rim. You reach Stella Point (5,756m) in time for a magnificent sunrise over the African plains. A final hour of trekking along the snow-covered rim brings you to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After celebrating, you begin the long descent back to Barafu for a quick rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp.
- Elevation: 4,673m to 5,895m (Summit) to 3,068m (Mweka Camp)
- Altitude Gain: 1,222m
- Altitude Loss: 2,827m
- Hiking Time: 12 – 15 hours
- Distance: 17 km
Overnight
Mweka Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Arusha
The air becomes warm and oxygen-rich as you descend through the rainforest. At Mweka Gate, you will sign out of the park and receive your official gold summit certificate. A vehicle will be waiting to drive you back to Arusha for a long-awaited hot shower and a celebration with your trekking team.
After celebrating, you begin the long descent back to Barafu for a quick rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp.
- Elevation: 3,068m to 1,640m
- Altitude Loss: 1,428m
- Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Distance: 10 km
Overnight
Arusha Serena
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Arusha – Kilimanjaro International Airport
After a final breakfast at your hotel, you will have a few hours for last-minute souvenir shopping in Arusha, perhaps picking up some Tanzanite jewelry or local coffee beans. Your driver will then provide a private transfer back to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departing flight.
Meals
Breakfast
What’s Included:
- All accommodations
- All transportation (Unless labelled as optional)
- Meals (As specified in the day- by-day section)
- Taxes / VAT
- Activities (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Park fees
- Professional Mountain Team (Guides, porters & Cook)
- Camping Equipment (Tents, Sleeping mattress, Utensils, Tables and Chairs)
What’s not included:
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- International & Domestic flights
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Tips (recommended; Mountain Guide – $25 per day / per guide / per Group – Mountain Chef – $15 per day / per group, Mountain Porter – $10 per day / per porter)
- Travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation up to 6,000 meters above sea level and any associated medical treatment.
- Personal gear rentals (Sleeping bags, hiking shoes, trekking poles, etc)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees.
- Portable toilet