6 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route

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Overview

  • Duration:6 days 8 nights
  • Travelers:1 - 24 guests
  • Tour Type:Private tour, Trekking
The Machame Route—often called the Whiskey Route—is one of Kilimanjaro’s most iconic and beloved trails. Starting in lush tropical rainforest, it quickly immerses you in the mountain’s incredible diversity. At Tanzania Globe Tour, we guide hundreds of trekkers along this route every year, and its popularity is well-earned.

You can choose between 6-day and 7-day itineraries, with the 7-day option offering a smoother acclimatization profile and a higher summit success rate. Even first-time hikers find this route rewarding and manageable, thanks to its steady pace and well-planned elevation gains.

Along the way, you’ll journey through all five of Kilimanjaro’s distinct climate zones—from rainforest to alpine desert—each with its own beauty. You’ll also tackle the famous Barranco Wall, a scenic and enjoyable climb that many trekkers list as a highlight of their trip. And throughout the trek, you’ll encounter the otherworldly Dendrosenecio kilimanjari, towering plants found nowhere else on Earth.

The Machame Route blends adventure, scenery, and comfort in a way few trails can match, making it an exceptional choice for anyone ready to experience Africa’s highest peak.
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Includes/Excludes

  • All transfers described on the program.
  • Hotels and lodges before and after the hike.
  • Meals on the hike with our mountain chefs and waiters
  • Camping equipment lie tents
  • Professional guides and porters
  • Emergency Oxygen tanks
  • National Park fees for the entire tour (park entry fees and concession fees).
  • Medical check-ups, fully-loaded medical kits
  • 24/7 phone support services.
  • Air tickets
  • Visa fee
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips to the climbing crew
  • Personal gear rentals
  • Lunch and dinner in the hotel

Itinerary

Arrival to Welcome Tanzania

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet a Tanzania Globe Tour representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.

Private tour packages include shared airport transfers for your group. Extra charges will apply for additional individual transfers. To avoid extra costs, sync your group's arrival and departure times.

Trekking From Machame Gate To Machame Camp

A guide and the mountain support crew from Tanzania Globe Tour will meet you at the hotel in the morning for a short but informative briefing. Afterwards, you’ll drive to Kilimanjaro National Park’s renowned Machame Gate. Once your climbing permits are issued and registration with the search and rescue service is complete, your adventure begins.

Your first trek leads you through the lush, green rainforest—one of the most magical zones on Kilimanjaro. Tropical showers are common here, so packing a raincoat and a set of dry clothes is highly recommended. By day’s end, you’ll arrive at Machame Camp, where your warm meal and prepared tents await.

Trekking From Machame Camp To Shira Camp

After breakfast, you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp. On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Technically speaking, trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 400 m /1,312 f gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp, you will be served a hot dinner.

Trekking From Shira Camp To The Lava Tower and Descent To Barranco Camp

After breakfast, you’ll leave Shira Camp and begin your journey toward one of the iconic milestones of this route: Lava Tower (4,600 m / 15,088 ft). This stretch includes a series of ascents and descents, and while it can feel challenging at times, it plays an essential role in proper acclimatization. To help your body adjust to the altitude, you’ll spend 1–2 hours at Lava Tower—an ideal moment to relax and enjoy lunch with dramatic high-altitude scenery all around you.

Afterward, you’ll descend to Barranco Camp, where the famous Barranco Wall comes into view. Towering and dramatic, it’s one of the most photographed landmarks on Kilimanjaro. Despite its imposing appearance, the route up the wall is a straightforward hiking trail. You’ll tackle it the next morning—an exciting and memorable part of your climb!

Trekking From Barranco Camp To Barafu Camp

Your group will have an early start this morning. After enjoying a filling breakfast, you’ll begin your ascent of the Barranco Wall. We recommend leaving camp as early as possible to avoid the crowds, which can slow down progress. Despite its dramatic appearance, the climb is not difficult and usually takes about an hour. At the top, you’ll have time to rest and capture beautiful photos with Kibo Volcano as your backdrop.

From there, you’ll continue with a more challenging hike toward Karanga Camp, a route marked by several ascents and descents. There’s no need to worry—our experienced guides set a comfortable and safe pace for the whole group. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a warm lunch and a well-earned break.

After resting for a couple of hours, you will continue your ascent to Barafu Camp, where a hot dinner will be served. It’s best to spend the remainder of the evening resting and sleeping in preparation for the night-time summit push.

Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Millennium Camp

Your team will depart Barafu Camp at night to begin the final push to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,336 ft). While the trail itself is not technically difficult, the high altitude makes this section physically demanding, and even simple movements can feel strenuous. To ensure your safety and well-being, each pair of climbers will be accompanied by a dedicated guide who monitors both physical and mental condition throughout the ascent.

After reaching the iconic Uhuru Peak, you may choose to descend briefly to the nearby glacier for photos. Following this, you’ll return to Barafu Camp for a well-earned two-hour rest before continuing your descent to Millennium Camp, where you can relax and recover from an unforgettable day.

Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

Millennium Camp sits within a lush tropical rainforest. After a good night’s rest, you’ll wake up feeling the relief of lower altitude and the joy of having reached the summit. Following a warm breakfast, you’ll begin your final descent toward Mweka Gate, the official exit of Kilimanjaro National Park.

Once you arrive at the gate, your group will come together to celebrate your achievement. You’ll also have the chance to share your thoughts about the climb in the guestbook. Finally, you’ll receive your commemorative summit certificates at our office before being transferred back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Departure

After breakfast on the final morning, you are transferred back toward Arusha and onward to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure flight. Your 5-day Tanzania Kilimanjaro trek — part of the Tanzania Globe Tour — concludes, leaving you with memories of varied ecosystems and the wild heart of Tanzania.

Tour maps

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