8-Day Machame Routes
Overview
Machame route is the longest route to hike Mount Kilimanjaro, but with better acclimatization than other Mount Kilimanjaro routes. The routes start from the Southern part of the mountain covering around 68 Kilometres from Machame gate. Guests enjoying different vegetation zoning with a wide range of habitats and stunning viewpoints from Shira plateau.
Machame also known as whiskey route is most popular route in Mount Kilimanjaro due to its scenic beauty, challenging and mostly fit for experienced climbers.
According to the general tourist statistics, 50% of the hikers use Machame route, and the average days of trekking on this route is 7 days with enough acclimatization days.
Tour Highlights:
The Machame Route is one of the most scenic and popular routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Known for its breathtaking landscapes and excellent acclimatization profile, this route offers trekkers a rewarding journey through diverse ecological zones on the way to Africa’s highest peak.
- Scenic Diversity
The Machame Route is famous for its remarkable variety of landscapes. Trekkers begin the climb through lush rainforest near Machame Gate, gradually ascending through moorland and alpine desert zones. Each stage of the trek reveals new scenery, from dense forest and unique high-altitude vegetation to dramatic volcanic terrain and glaciers near the summit.
- Barranco Wall Adventure
One of the most iconic highlights of the Machame Route is the famous Barranco Wall. This steep rock face offers trekkers an exciting scramble and stunning views over the beautiful Barranco Valley. Climbing the Barranco Wall is often considered one of the most memorable and adventurous parts of the entire Kilimanjaro trek.
- High Summit Success Rate
Although the Machame Route is physically demanding, it has one of the highest summit success rates on Kilimanjaro. The longer trekking duration allows climbers more time for proper acclimatization, significantly improving their chances of successfully reaching the summit.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Moshi
Moshi (2,920 ft): at the Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam International Airport, and meet by our representative, load your luggage, belongings in a shuttle for transfer to the hotel for Overnight.
Day 2: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Moshi (2,920 ft) to Machame entrance Gate (4,890 ft) start trek to Machame Camp (9,780 ft) 18 km, 5-7 hours Montane Forest:
On this day will wake up at 06:00am and have breakfast from 06:30am to 07:30am. Then you will check out at the hotel and get ready your belongings and board to the shuttle bus and get transferred to the starting point of Entrance gate and ready to start the hike. Your drive will be approximately 50-minute drive from Moshi to the Machame Village (1,490 m/4,890 ft) where you will meet your Guides and porters prepare and pack your equipment and supplies. Your porters will arrive at camp before you and will erect your tent before you arrive. In the evening, the porters boil drinking and washing water while the cook prepares your dinner. Night temperatures can drop to freezing at the Machame Camp. You will have Dinner and Overnight at Machame Camp.
🥗Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
On this day you will need to wake up at around 06:30am get prepared and after breakfast, breaks the camp, and begins the hike at around 08:00am from Big Tree “Mti Mkubwa” camp to Shira 1 campsite, elevation of 12’500ft (3,840 m). This usually takes approximately 3 to 4 hours day hike. This camp requires adequate acclimatization when needed to have an extra night at the Camp. The west part face of Kibo volcano, usually referred to as Kilimanjaro, looms above the campsite. Have lunch, set up camp, rest or take a day hike, and eat dinner during early evening. This hike traverses the lower moorland where large shrubs and wildflowers dominate 5 the landscape. You will have Diner and Briefing by your Guide for the next day. After Dinner and briefing you will overnight at Shira Campsite.
🥗Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 4: Shira Camp via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Shira Camp (12,600 ft) via Lava Tower (15,190 ft) to Barranco Camp (12,960 ft) 15 km, 7 hours Semi-Desert:
Wake up at 06:30am, start preparing gears and get ready for breakfast at 07:00am. This day is very sensitive day, you will hike east up a steepening path above the highest vegetation toward Kilimanjaro looming mass. After several hours, you walk through a rocky landscape to reach the prominent landmark called Lava Tower at 4,630 m/15,190 ft. This chunky remnant of Kilimanjaro earlier volcanic activity is several hundred feet high, and the trail passes right below it. For extra credit, the sure-footed can scramble to the top of the tower. After a lunch stop near Lava Tower, descend for 2 hours below the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall to Barranco Camp at 3,950 m/12,960 ft. You will have dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp.
🥗Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 5: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,960 ft) to Barafu Camp (4,550 m/14,930 ft) 3 km, 8 hours Alpine Desert:
After spending a night under the imposing Great Barranco Wall, you climb this awesome obstacle, which turns out to be easier than it looks. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb. This should include replacing your headlamp and camera batteries, and to prevent freezing, consider carrying your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed by 07:00 PM, and try to get a few hours of precious sleep. You will rise around 10:30 PM, and after some steaming tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. You will start the summit hike walk at around 11:00pm from Baranko Camp to Summit.
🥗Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Summit Day! Barafu Camp (4,550 m/14,930 ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft) 7 km up, 23 km down 8 hours up, 7-8 hours down Scree and seasonal snow:
Your 6-hour climb northwest up through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of the route for most climbers. You will reach Stella Point (5,685 m/18,650 ft) at around 05:30am and you will stop for a short rest and a chance to see a supremely sanguine sunrise. At Stella Point you join the top part of the Marangu Route, but do not stop here too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. After your 3-hours descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, you will have a well-earned but short rest, collect your gears, and hike down a rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft). This camp is in the upper forest, so you can expect mist or rain in the late afternoon or evening. Dinner, and washing water will be prepared, and the camp office sells drinking water, soft drinks, and chocolates! After Dinner you will overnight at Mweka Camp.
🥗Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi
Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft) to Mweka Gate (6,500 ft) to Moshi (2,920 ft) 15 km, 3 hours Forest:
After a well-deserved breakfast, it is a short, scenic, 3-hours hike back to the park gate. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Some climbers likes to get their Certificates at the Hotel or where they will be staying and have a celebration lunch or Dinner and drinks with your crew, Porters and Guides and get Certificates with photos of a Give presenting the Certificates to each member of the Group for Good Memory after accomplish the DREAM and later be transferred to stay in a Hotel/Lodge.
🥗Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 8: Departure
Moshi / Arusha: Depart for safari to Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire or other Parks in Southern part of Tanzania like Selous /Nyerere Park and other historic attractions like Bagamoyo, Kilwa ruins and Zanzibar. A trip to Zanzibar beaches is a good way to recuperate. We can arrange as many for reasonably priced trips around East Africa.
INCLUDED
- √ One night at the Hotel before starting the climb.
- √ One night with dinner at the hotel after finishing the climb.
- √ Entry Fees at the Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park.
- √ Rescue Fees, Guides, Porters and Cooks Fees.
- √ Mountain Staff/Crew salaries and allowances.
- √ All meals on the mountain, Breakfast, Lunch, evening refreshments and dinner.
- √ Drinking water will be provided during the climb.
- √ Oxygen cylinder, Ox-meters and Special daily check-up care while on the mountain.
- √ Mountain Gears, Sleeping Tents, Dinning Tents, sleeping form mattress are provided.
- √ Pick up and drop off to and from hotel to starting point for climbing the mountain.
- √ Pick up transfer after descending from mountain and transfer back to Hotel.
- √ Government Taxes, Office Agent fees, Operational costs.
- √ Airports pick up and drop off transfers.
EXCLUDED
- Χ Gratuities / Tips, Extra service Laundry.
- Χ Other personal care like massage (Can be offered as special Service after Kilimanjaro Climb)
- Χ Alcohol, International flights tickets, but can be booked on request.
- Χ Domestic flight tickets i.e, Flight to Zanzibar, Mafia Island, or to Parks like Serengeti, Selous, Ruaha and Gombe within Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda or to Amboseli Park in Kenya (Can be booked on requests)
- Χ Medical services in case of sickness or you will need to get Insurance cover from your country.
Book Safari
What Clients Saying About Safari!
Discover what our guests have to say about their unforgettable safari experiences. From breathtaking wildlife encounters to exceptional service, their stories reflect the passion and care we bring to every journey.
I visited Tanzania with my friends, we were 20 of us. We have requested a customized private tour plan. My experience was pretty wonderful: They excel in professionalism, Our overall travel experience was good.
Unforgettable Journeys, Untamed Beauty.
AcaTree Tour is a thrilling treetop adventure with ziplines and aerial challenges, offering fun, safety, and stunning forest views.
Useful Links
- About us
- Terms & Conditions
- Privacy Policy
- Tanzania Packing Lists
- Tanzania Visa Registration
- Travel Guide
Contact us
- +255 740006765
- +255 680777700
- info@acatreetours.co.tz
- Njiro Office, HSE No. 11,Arusha
