6 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Trip Overview

The 6 Days Machame Route is one of the most popular and scenic routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft / 5,895 m). Known as the “Whiskey Route,” it offers a more challenging trek compared to the Marangu Route but rewards climbers with breathtaking landscapes and a higher success rate due to its gradual acclimatization profile. This adventure takes you through lush rainforests, heather moorlands, alpine deserts, and glaciers before reaching Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft / 5,895 m) – the highest point in Africa! With its climb high, sleep low approach, the Machame Route increases your chances of a successful summit while providing an unforgettable hiking experience.

Why Choose the Machame Route?

Stunning Scenery & Diverse Landscapes

Hike through tropical rainforests, moorlands, alpine deserts, and glaciers, each offering unique views of Mount Kilimanjaro’s natural beauty.

Better Acclimatization = Higher Success Rate

The Machame Route follows a “climb high, sleep low” approach, helping your body adjust to the altitude and increasing your chances of reaching the summit.

Challenging Yet Rewarding

While the Machame Route is more difficult than Marangu, the extra effort is worth it for the amazing views and higher summit success rate.

Full Camping Experienced

Unlike the Marangu Route, Machame is a camping route, offering a more authentic adventure under the stars. It’s also more affordable for budget travelers

Day 0: Pre-trek Briefing

If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.

Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive atleast one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend in having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.

Day 1: Hotel to Mti Mkubwa Camp

After breakfast and briefing, drive to Lemosho Park Gate. From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft
Distance: 6km/4mi
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp to Shira 2 Camp

After breakfast, we continue as the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. After several streams are crossed we continue over the Shira Ridge past the Shira 1 camp and on to the Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.

Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 16km/10mi
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Shira 2 Camp 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” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel

After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions

Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
VAT (18% charged by the Government)
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
Sleeping Mattress
Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
Clean, purified drinking water
Conservation fees (part of park fees)
All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
Rescue fees (part of park fees)
Kilimanjaro summit certificate
Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
All meals while on the Mountain
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
Professional, experienced, mountain guides

Exclusions

International and domestic flights
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
Travel insurance
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Tanzania Visa
Tips and gratuities
Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
Hotel (available as an optional addon)
Transfers (available as an optional addon)