7 Days
Kilimanjaro Machame Route Climbing
Tour Overview
The 7-day Machame Route is one of the most scenic and popular routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Known as the “Whiskey Route” for its challenging terrain, it offers diverse landscapes, stunning views, and excellent opportunities for acclimatization, making it a favorite for adventurers looking to summit Africa’s tallest peak. This route is slightly longer than others, giving trekkers a better chance to adjust to the altitude. The tour begins and ends in Arusha.
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Machame Gate – Machame Camp
The trek begins at Machame Gate, where you will register and start your ascent through the dense, tropical rainforest. This is a lush and humid part of the climb with rich plant life and frequent sightings of monkeys and various bird species. You will gradually gain elevation and arrive at Machame Camp for your first overnight stay.
Climbing Highlights
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Elevation Gain: 1,640m/5,380ft to 2,835m/9,300ft
- Habitat: Rainforest
Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp
On Day 2, you will leave the rainforest and enter the moorland zone. The vegetation changes dramatically, and you will start to experience more open views of the surrounding landscape. You will trek up a steep ridge, with views of Mount Meru in the distance, before arriving at Shira Camp, located on the Shira Plateau. From here, you’ll get your first stunning view of the Western Breach and Kibo Peak.
Climbing Highlights
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
- Elevation Gain: 2,835m/9,300ft to 3,750m/12,300ft
- Habitat: Moorland
Day 3: Shira Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp
This is an important acclimatization day. After leaving Shira Camp, you will hike towards the Lava Tower, a volcanic rock formation at 4,600 meters. The hike takes you into the alpine desert, and this elevation is a significant challenge for most climbers. After a short break at Lava Tower, you’ll descend into the lush Barranco Valley, where Barranco Camp is located. The descent helps your body adjust to the altitude.
Climbing Highlights
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Elevation Gain: 3,750m/12,300ft to 4,600m/15,090ft (Lava Tower) and descend to 3,900m/12,800ft (Barranco Camp)
- Habitat: Semi-desert/Alpine Desert
Day 4: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp
The day begins with the challenging Barranco Wall, a steep climb that involves some scrambling. Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Karanga Valley. The rest of the day is a relatively short trek to Karanga Camp, which serves as another important acclimatization stop. You’ll have time to rest and prepare for the higher altitudes ahead
Climbing Highlights
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Elevation Gain: 3,900m/12,800ft to 4,035m/13,250ft
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 5: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp
Today’s trek takes you to Barafu Camp, your final camp before the summit push. The trail is steep and challenging, but the excitement builds as you get closer to the top. Upon arrival at Barafu Camp, you’ll have an early dinner and rest in preparation for the midnight departure to Uhuru Peak. Barafu means “ice” in Swahili, and temperatures at this altitude are freezing.
Climbing Highlights
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Elevation Gain: 4,035m/13,250ft to 4,640m/15,090ft
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 6: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp
Around midnight, you will begin the most challenging part of your climb – the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. You will trek through the dark, with the goal of reaching Stella Point at sunrise. From Stella Point, it’s a short but strenuous trek along the crater rim to reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 meters.
After celebrating your achievement and taking in the breathtaking views, you’ll begin your descent back to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing down to Mweka Camp.
Climbing Highlights
- Ascent Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Descent Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
- Elevation Gain: 4,640m/15,090ft to 5,895m/19,341ft (Uhuru Peak), descend to 3,100m/10,170ft (Mweka Camp)
- Habitat: Arctic/Alpine Desert
Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Arusha
On the final day, you will descend through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you will sign out of the park and receive your summit certificate. Afterward, you will be transferred back to Arusha for a well-deserved rest and celebration.
Climbing Highlights
- Elevation: 10,065 ft (3,080 m) to 5,380 ft (1,640 m)
- Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
- Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Accommodation: Moshi
Customize Your Safari
focusing on Your specific interests
At Premier Africa Adventures, we craft climbing adventures as unique as you are. Share your vision, and we’ll handle every detail from choosing the ideal route, to planning your trekking activities that fit your unique interests and schedule. Let’s bring your dream of climbing Kilimanjaro to life.
