Take the famous “Whiskey Route” up Africa’s highest mountain
The incredible Mount Kilimanjaro on Machame Route trek is the perfect way to conquer Africa’s tallest mountain! This tour takes you up Mount Kilimanjaro by the Machame route. This popular “Whiskey” route is the most scenic way to trek up the mountain and offers ease of acclimatization. Although it has some of the most challenging sections of trail, it is also longer than some of the other routes, which gives you a better chance to acclimate to the thin air.
The Mount Kilimanjaro on Machame Route tour includes everything you need to cross this epic trek off your bucket list. Guides, porters, cooks, meals and tents are all provided so that you can focus on the trail. This route circles Uhuru Peak, giving you a chance to see the summit from all angles. You’ll also be trekking past some other epic scenery, like the stunning Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, and the impressive Barranco Wall.
Your final ascent begins at midnight so that you can experience the spectacular sunrise from Stella Point before you tackle the summit! How unforgettable? You’ll have the whole final night on the mountain and hike the next morning to share your summit stories with your fellow trekkers. The Mount Kilimanjaro on Machame Route is an opportunity not to be missed.
Highlights of the 6-day Mount Kilimanjaro on Machame Route
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Mount Kilimanjaro on Machame Route Itinerary
Day 0 Pre-trek night and briefing
Your pre-trek meeting will be today at your hotel, and here you’ll receive important information. Your guides will review your equipment so that any rentals required can be arranged. Please note that this night is not included but can be booked as an optional extra.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 1 Trek to Machame Camp
Depart in the morning from your Moshi hotel to the trailhead at Machame Gate. Today’s path winds through the rainforest and up the ridge to Machame Camp. You may want to have your gaiters and trekking poles out as this section of trail can get muddy. Day one is done, nice work!
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,026m / 9,927ft)
Distance: 5-6 hours, 11 km, 1220m elevation gain
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2 Short trek to Shira Camp
Today’s trek is a shorter one. Leaving the rainforest behind, you’ll enjoy open vistas as the trail ascends the ridge to Shira Camp. Enjoy the tremendous views of Shira Ridge and Mount Kilimanjaro from camp tonight.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,766m / 12,355ft)
Distance: 4-5 hours, 5 km, 800m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Lava Tower and Mount Kibo en route to Barranco Camp
Leaving the beautiful Shira Plateau behind, you’ll continue your trek upwards. Grab your camera as your approach the Lava Tower and keep it handy for the scenic view of Mount Kibo at the end of the day.
The trail will help you get acclimatized to the elevation as it brings you up over 4500m for the first time on this trek. Not to worry, you’ll have an elevation break tonight at camp, as Barranco camp sits only slightly higher than where you were last night.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,983m / 13,067ft)
Distance: 5-6 hours, 10 km, 863m of ascent, 646m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Climb the Barranco Wall and cross the Karanga Valley
Yesterday’s scenic view of the Barranco Wall becomes today’s objective. The wall is a strenuous hike and may require occasional support from your hands as it is quite steep. The other side descends more gently into the beautiful Karanga Valley. By the time you reach Barafu Camp, you’ll have completed the South Circuit and experienced views of the summit from every angle.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (4,645m / 15,239ft)
Distance: 6-8 hours, 9 km, 700m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Early morning trek to summit and descent to Mweka Camp
Today is the day! Your early morning trek begins just after midnight so that you can experience the sunrise from Stella Point, or if you’re fast, from the summit itself. This last stretch is the most difficult of the trek. The terrain is steep, with heavy scree up to Stella Point. You’re also likely to be hiking through snow for the final hour of ascent to Uhuru Peak. Keep pushing!
Once you’ve celebrated being at the highest point in all of Africa, it’s time to head back down. The trail down to Mweka Camp is loose gravel and steep in sections, so you may want to have your trekking poles handy.
Overnight Location: Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro (3,110m / 10,203ft)
Distance: 10-13 hours, 18km, 1,195m of ascent, 2,805m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Final descent to Mweka Gate
After a good night’s rest and lots of much-needed oxygen, you can begin the final leg of your trek. Dress in layers, as it will warm up as you descend back into the rainforest climate. You’ll receive your summit certificate at the Mweka Park gate and be met by the vehicle that will transport you back to your hotel in Moshi.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 3-4 hours, 10 km, 1410m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Mount Kilimanjaro on Machame Route Price and Dates
This guided trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro can be run as a custom tour for your group, in which case the price depends on the size of your group. If you choose to join an existing group, the price is fixed.
Prices below are per person:
- Guided group of 4: from $1,835 USD* per person
Please note that the price depends on the size of your group. Please contact us to get the exact quote.
Book NowAccommodation on the Mount Kilimanjaro on Machame Route Tour
All the included accommodations are camping tents at designated camps along the trail. The tents are good quality and waterproof with a sleeping pad. The provided tents are double occupancy. Private tents and private toilets can be rented at an additional fee. Small group mess tents with tables and chairs are provided as well.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private tent (please enquire for more information).
Hotels on Standard Tour
Machame Camp
Machame Camp is a well-organized camp just outside the tropical forest area at 3,000m. There are views of the peak. There are splendid sunset views on Mount Meru.
Shira Camp
After cresting the dramatic Shira Ridge, you'll see why people rave about the views from the plateau. This is where you'll find Shira Camp.
Barranco Camp
Barranco Camp is set in a rocky valley. Hopefully the view of the Barranco Wall in the distance will help motivate you for the upcoming journey.
Barafu Camp
Tonight, you’re sleeping at over 4,600m above sea level with the summit in sight.
Mweka Camp
You’ll enjoy an abundance of fresh air at the much lower altitude Mweka Camp, where you’ll celebrate your climb with fellow campers.
What’s Included in the Mount Kilimanjaro on Machame Route Tour?
Meals
5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners are included. Purified drinking water is also included.
Accommodations
Tented accommodations for 5 nights along the tour are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes the transfers between Moshi and the trailhead before and after the tour. Airport transfers can be booked as a supplement.
Also Included
- Experienced mountain guides
- Porter and cook
- Park fees
- Quality four-season tents (based on twin share)
- Sleeping mattress
- Emergency oxygen cylinder
- Mess tents with table and chairs
- Conservation, camping and rescue fees
- VAT (18% charged by the government)
Not included
- Visas if required
- Flights to and from Moshi
- Personal equipment such as sleeping bag, trekking poles, etc. (rental options are available)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
Optional Extras
- Additional nights in Moshi or Arusha
- Private toilet rental added to your gear
- Additional equipment rentals (available locally)
- Airport transfers
Frequently Asked Questions about 6-day Mount Kilimanjaro on Machame Route
Monkey Adventures is an East African (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda) operator offering Safari Tours, Kilimanjaro climbs, and Gorilla tracking (Uganda). They have offices in Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda. The company offers Kilimanjaro climbs over different routes with a duration of 5 days to 9 days and all their departures are guaranteed. You can opt for a group joining trek (depending on if there is a group on that day) or a private trek just for your group.
Monkey Adventures is proud to share that the Tanzania National Parks Authority, Government of Tanzania recently presented them with the "Best Tour Operator" award for 2018/2019 and the company has also been recognized as the Travellers' Choice Winner - 2020 by Tripadvisor. In the past, Monkey Adventures have also won the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2018 and 2019.
Monkey Adventures guides hold certifications such as Kilimanjaro Guide Licence, Wilderness First Aid Responder, Tourism College Certificates, Kilimanjaro search and rescue, High altitude Medicine Skills Acquisition Program for Mountain Guide, and more.
Learn More6-day Mount Kilimanjaro on Machame Route Map
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