Itinerary
Overview
Ultimate Adventure to the Roof of Africa
The Machame Route, dubbed the “Whiskey Route,” ranks high as a fan-favorite path to Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit, dishing out a wild mix of scenery from dense rainforests to stark alpine deserts. It’s got built-in breaks for acclimatization, making it a solid pick for trekkers with some experience who want a spicier climb than the tamer Marangu Route. This 7-day haul strikes a sweet spot—tough enough to test you, but paced to boost your shot at hitting Uhuru Peak, Africa’s highest point. You’ll camp across different altitude zones, giving your body time to adapt, which is why Machame’s a go-to for summit success.
The Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek is a dream for thrill-chasers eyeing a scenic yet gritty ascent to Africa’s tallest peak. Its smartly planned 7-day itinerary blends just-right acclimatization with jaw-dropping views of Kilimanjaro’s ever-changing terrain, stacking the odds in your favor for a victorious summit. What’s got you pumped—the challenge or those landscapes?
Itinerary
Day by day
Day 0: Arrival in Tanzania
Overnight: Hotel in Arusha/Moshi
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Your adventure launches with a drive to Machame Gate for check-in. From there, you’ll dive into the hike, cutting through lush rainforest packed with vivid greenery and wildlife, until you roll into Machame Camp—perched right at the rainforest’s edge.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
The trail takes you up a sharp climb, shifting from thick rainforest into sprawling moorland. You’ll catch sweeping views of Mount Meru to the east and Kibo Peak to the northwest before landing at Shira Camp, sprawled out on the Shira Plateau.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Today’s trek is all about acclimatization, pushing up to Lava Tower—a rugged volcanic outcrop at 4,630m. After soaking in the heights, you’ll drop back down to Barranco Camp to crash, sticking to the “climb high, sleep low” trick to get your body summit-ready.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
The day kicks off with a gritty but epic scramble up the Great Barranco Wall—a steep rock face that pays off with killer views. After conquering the top, the trail rolls through valleys and ridges, leading you to Karanga Camp for your overnight pit stop.
Elevation: 3,950m to 4,200m (12,960ft to 13,780ft)
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
You’ll push on through the stark alpine desert, weaving across valleys en route to Barafu Camp. Once there, take it easy and gear up for the big summit push, kicking off at midnight.
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Rise at midnight for a quick tea and snack boost, then launch your summit climb to Uhuru Peak. You’ll trek through the night, tackling rocky scree up to Stella Point before pressing on to the top at Uhuru Peak. After reveling in the win, head back to Barafu Camp for a breather, then keep descending to Mweka Camp to wrap the day.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate – Return to Moshi/Arusha
On your last day, you’ll hike down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. After signing out, we’ll whisk you back to Moshi or Arusha for some well-deserved downtime and a chance to toast your triumph.
Optional Add-On: Stretch the adventure with a safari to Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, or kick back with a beach escape to Zanzibar—your call!
What's Included?
What's Excluded?
Rates
Our rates are per person sharing unless we note differently
