6 Days Machame - Mount Kilimanjaro
Nicknamed the Whiskey route, as it is more challenging and expensive than the Marangu route. Overall, this is one of the best routes to scale Kilimanjaro, both for acclimatisation and cost. The route is difficult and best suited to more adventurous trekkers and those with some hiking or backpacking experience.
The Machame route is scenic and diverse. Due to its popularity, there are more trekkers, which affects its splendour. The Machame route heads toward the summit from the southwest. Trekkers descend using the Mweka route, where they can enjoy views of the expansive Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, the Great Barranco wall, and a traverse beneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice zone.
In specific sections, this route is steeper than the Marangu and Rongai routes. The routes are more difficult to ascend but easier than the others. The route is great for acclimatisation. Trekkers have to walk at high altitudes and sleep at lower altitudes to help their bodies adapt to the environment. The trek is challenging yet rewarding enough, with stunning scenery winding through five diverse climatic zones. It’s an ideal opportunity to split the pre-summit day climb, leaving climbers rested before reaching the summit.
6 Days Machame Route Trek to Mount Kilimanjaro
Check out the travel blueprint for your 6-day Machame route Trek to Mount Kilimanjaro
Day 1: Hotel to Machame Camp
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Day 3: Shira Cave to Barranco Camp
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
OUR itinery
Ascend through the Machame route on your 6-day trek journey to Mount Kilimanjaro.
DAY 0
Arrive at Moshi or Arusha
Our team will meet you at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport, then take you to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. That’s the point of your accommodation and briefing before the climb. You must plan to arrive at least 1 day before the trek begins. Today, you will rest and receive a pre-briefing on the trek. Our team member will also review your equipment and rent any necessary equipment.
DAY 1
Hotel to Machame Camp
We will drive from Moshi to Machame Gate in about 60 minutes. The journey takes you through the village of Machame, on the lower slopes of the mountain, due to its adequate water supply and fertile soil for agriculture, especially coffee and banana cultivation.
We leave the park gate and take a walk through the rainforest through a winding trail up a ridge. At lower heights, the trail is muddy and slippery. You can use gaiters and trekking poles here. We continue for a short distance toward the camp.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
DAY 2
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After we finish breakfast, we leave the rain forest glades and ascend along a steep, rocky path, crossing the valley. The route heads west into a river gorge as we arrive at the Shira campsite.
Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Duration: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Hot Snacks, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 3
Shira Cave to Barranco Camp
We continue our journey from the Shira Plateau to the east up a ridge, crossing the junction towards the Kibo peak. As we continue, our direction changes to the Southeast toward The Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth,” for hot lunch. You can fill some water at an elevation of 4650m/15,250ft.
Then, we come to the second junction, along the Arrow Glacier. Now, we continue down to the Barranco Camp. You end the day with the same elevation where you began. This day is very important for acclimatisation and helps your body prepare for summit day.
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Hot Snacks, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 4
Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco to warm up a bit, scrambling to the Barranco wall and continuing on a steep ridge up ahead. The Barranco viewing point is about
At 4200m above sea level, we then head to the Karanga Valley, a river we often cross. Karanga Valley is the last water point, so there is no water source from the Basecamp. In the morning, make sure you have a big wash because after Karanga Camp, you will meet
with water at Mweka Camp. We will have hot lunch and move forward to Barafu camp. We cover the southern circuit and enjoy views from different angles. We will set up camp here, have 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, Hot
Snacks, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 5
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning, from midnight to 1:00 am, we continue our way to the summit between the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers. You are heading toward the northwest and ascending toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This is one of the most physically challenging phases of the trek. The journey presents heavy mental turmoil, too. At Stella Point, there will be a short break for rest, and you will get to see the most amazing sunrise to witness. The fast trekkers may enjoy the sunrise from the Uhuru Peak Summit, as well.
At Stella Point, you find snow all the way on your ascent to the summit. You reach the Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. Once we touch the summit, we start our descent journey straight down to the Mweka Camp. In between, we stop at Barafu for lunch. Trekkers may require gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel on the way down. At the end, you arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy your 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, Hot Snacks, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 6
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
After breakfast, we bid farewell to the teams during the souvenir ceremony, then we begin descending to the Mweka Gate to receive your certificates of a successful summit. At lower heights, it can be wet and muddy. You may need gaiters and trekking poles at this phase. Shorts and t-shirts are ideal to wear; keep rain gear and warm layers in your backpack.
At this point, you meet the vehicle that takes you to the lunch point via Mweka gate. We, then, drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Make your Dream Safari Come True
This safari explores northern Tanzania’s premier national parks, starting with a convenient domestic flight from Zanzibar.
Include
- Professional, experienced mountain guides
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Sleeping Mattress
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
Exclude
- Tips and gratuities
- Transfers (available as an option)
- Hotel (available as an option)
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Tanzania Visa
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- The government imposed an increase in taxes and or Park Fees.
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- International and domestic flights
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Travel insurance
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
FAQ
A 6-7-day itinerary is recommended for the Machame route. When you have extra days, you can acclimate better and take enough rest before the summit day.
On your trek to the Machame route, the hardest part is the summit night. The journey requires 12-14 hours of trekking at high altitude. The journey is exhausting, both mentally and physically.
The best time to climb the Machame route is during the drier months, from January to March and from July to September.
Yes. Training is needed. The route doesn’t require technical expertise, but fitness and endurance are essential for your trek.
The Machame route, being one of the most popular trek routes to Mount Kilimanjaro, remains crowded, especially during the peak climbing seasons.
