Kilimanjaro Tours

Machame Route – 7 Days – The Scenic Whisky Route

Climb Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route in 7 Days

The Machame Route is one of the most scenic and rewarding ways to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, offering dramatic landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and excellent acclimatization. Often referred to as the “Whisky Route,” it is more adventurous than Marangu, guiding trekkers through dense rainforests, vast moorlands, alpine deserts, and finally onto the icy summit of Africa’s highest peak.

This seven-day itinerary is carefully designed to maximize acclimatization and increase summit success while immersing climbers in Kilimanjaro’s raw beauty. The extra day allows the body to adapt gradually to altitude, making the journey both safer and more enjoyable, and giving climbers time to fully absorb the mountain’s ever-changing scenery.

Trip Itinerary

Arrival – Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha/Moshi

Arrival Date You arrive in Moshi or Arusha and spend the night resting and preparing for the climb.
Day 1 – Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Your adventure begins after breakfast with a drive to Machame Gate, where formalities are completed before entering the rainforest. As you hike beneath towering trees and hanging moss, the trail feels alive with birdsong and the scent of damp earth. The steady climb through thick forest leads you to Machame Camp, where mist drifts through the trees as your first mountain night settles in.
Day 2 – Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Leaving the forest behind, the landscape opens into sweeping moorland with giant lobelias and endless skies. The trail ascends along a ridge, revealing expansive views of Mount Meru in the distance. By afternoon, you arrive at Shira Camp on the Shira Plateau, where the vastness of the mountain truly begins to reveal itself.
Day 3 – Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

This crucial acclimatization day takes you high toward Lava Tower, rising above 4,600 meters. The terrain becomes stark and dramatic, testing both body and mind. After lunch near the tower, you descend into the Barranco Valley, where the air feels richer and breathing easier. Barranco Camp rests beneath the imposing Barranco Wall, offering one of the most spectacular campsites on the mountain.
Day 4 – Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

The day begins with the exhilarating climb up the Barranco Wall, a hands-on scramble that rewards you with breathtaking views once you reach the top. The trail then winds through ridges and valleys, balancing ascent and descent to support acclimatization. By afternoon, you arrive at Karanga Camp, perched on a ridge with panoramic views of the southern glaciers.
Day 5 – Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

As vegetation fades, the mountain takes on an otherworldly appearance. The trail climbs steadily toward Barafu Camp, the final base before summit night. The air is thinner, the landscape harsher, and anticipation grows with every step. After an early dinner, you rest under a sky ablaze with stars, preparing mentally and physically for the summit attempt.
Day 6 – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, then to Mweka Camp

Around midnight, the summit push begins. Step by step, you climb through darkness and cold, passing Stella Point as dawn breaks over the horizon. Reaching Uhuru Peak is an emotional triumph, standing at the highest point in Africa as the sun rises over glaciers and endless plains. After photos and reflection, you descend carefully to Mweka Camp, exhausted but victorious.
Day 7 – Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Your final descent leads you through lush forest once more, the air growing warmer with each step. At Mweka Gate, you receive your summit certificates and bid farewell to the mountain that challenged and rewarded you. A transfer takes you back to Moshi or Arusha for a well-earned rest and celebration.
Departure Date

Following your overnight rest, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight, concluding a memorable Kilimanjaro adventure.

Suggested Lodges & Camps

Safari Cost Include

Transfers
All transfers as outlined in the program.

Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation in Moshi or Arusha before and after the climb.
Full board meals during the trek as specified in the program.
Filtered and treated drinking water throughout the climb.

Guiding & Mountain Support
Services of certified, professional mountain guides.
Support team including cooks and porters.
All national park entry, camping, and rescue fees.
Quality mountain tents and sleeping mattresses.
Emergency oxygen and comprehensive medical kit.
24/7 support throughout the trekking experience.

Safari Cost Excludes

International and domestic flights.
Tanzanian visa fees.
Personal trekking gear and equipment.
Tips for guides, porters, and crew.
Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking.
Personal expenses such as snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.

Please Note

By default, our mountain adventures include shared accommodation in twin or double rooms unless otherwise requested and agreed upon. Single room supplements are available upon request. Please refer to your itinerary for specific accommodation details.
Accommodations in Moshi, Arusha, or nearby towns typically include breakfast only, unless otherwise arranged. Check your program for detailed meal plans for each night of your adventure.
Most lodges and mountain huts do not include tea, coffee, soft drinks, or alcoholic beverages in their standard packages, allowing you to order and pay only for what you need directly at the facility.
Tented camps or mountain lodges, the most common type of accommodation during off-the-beaten-path adventures, may operate on solar power. This can result in features such as bucket showers, limited Wi-Fi, or the absence of hair dryers, reflecting efforts to minimize environmental impact. We recommend reviewing your accommodations in advance to ensure they meet your expectations for comfort and convenience.

Machame Route – 7 Days – The Scenic Whisky Route

Climb Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route in 7 Days

Trip Itinerary

Arrival – Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha/Moshi

Day 1 – Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Day 2 – Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Day 3 – Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

Day 4 – Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Day 5 – Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Day 6 – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, then to Mweka Camp

Day 7 – Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Departure Date

Suggested Lodges & Camps

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