7-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via the Machame Route – “Whiskey Route” Adventure
7 Days / 6 Nights Days
Arusha or Moshi, Tanzania (hotel pickup) → Mweka Gate, then hotel in Arusha or Moshi
From
USD $2,150
per person
Why Choose This Safari?
The Machame route, nicknamed the “Whiskey Route”, is one of the most scenic and popular ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Over seven days you pass through every climate zone on the mountain, from cloud forest and moorland to the Shira Plateau, the alpine desert around Lava Tower and the glaciers near the summit. The route follows a “climb high, sleep low” profile, with a climb to Lava Tower and the famous scramble up the Barranco Wall, which gives you excellent acclimatisation and a strong chance of reaching the top. The summit push starts at night from Barafu Camp so that you reach the crater rim around sunrise, before continuing to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. You descend on the Mweka route, so you see different scenery on the way down.
Safari Highlights
- US$ 2,150 per person sharing
- Extra days on the Mountain: US $ 310 per person per day
- Minimum 2 Pax
- Tour above can be customized based on your needs or requirements. You can add with Wildlife Safari, Beach Holidays etc...
Destinations to Travel
Machame Gate · Machame Camp · Shira Plateau · Shira Camp · Lava Tower · Barranco Camp · Barranco Wall · Karanga Camp · Barafu Camp · Stella Point · Uhuru Peak (Mount Kilimanjaro) · Mweka Camp · Mweka Gate
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arusha or Moshi to Machame Camp
You drive for about two hours from Arusha or Moshi to Machame Gate (about 1,800 m) in Machame Village, where you register with the park and meet your crew. You then walk through lush cloud forest, rich with ferns, mosses and birdlife, to Machame Camp at 3,000 metres. Dinner is served at camp, and you spend the night in your tent.
Trek: 10 km · 5 to 7 hours · 1,800 m to 3,000 m · rainforest
Day 2 — Machame Camp to Shira Camp
You leave the forest behind and climb a steep, rocky ridge through giant heather and moorland onto the Shira Plateau. The views open out across the plateau and, on a clear day, to Kibo’s summit. Dinner and overnight at Shira Camp.
Trek: 6 km · 5 to 7 hours · 3,000 m to 3,840 m · moorland
Day 3 — Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
This is a long but important acclimatisation day. You climb east to Lava Tower (about 4,630 m), a 90-metre volcanic plug, then descend into the Barranco Valley among giant groundsels to Barranco Camp. Climbing high and sleeping low like this helps your body adjust to the altitude. Dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp, beneath the Great Barranco Wall.
Trek: 10 km · 5 to 7 hours · up to 4,630 m, sleep at 3,950 m · alpine desert
Day 4 — Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
The day begins with a scramble up the Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical climb with great views from the top. You then follow a path of ridges and valleys beneath Kibo’s southern glaciers to Karanga Camp. This short day gives you extra time to acclimatise. Dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp.
Trek: 4.5 km · about 3 to 4 hours · 3,950 m to 4,035 m · alpine desert
Day 5 — Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
You climb steadily over rocky ground to Barafu Camp (4,680 m), the base camp for the summit and the highest night of the trek. After an early dinner you rest and prepare for the summit attempt, which starts around midnight.
Trek: 4.5 km · about 3 to 4 hours · 4,035 m to 4,680 m · alpine desert
Day 6 — Summit to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka Camp
This is the toughest and most rewarding day. You wake around midnight and climb by headlamp up steep scree to Stella Point (5,752 m) on the crater rim, timed to arrive around sunrise. From there it is about an hour along the rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa, with views over the glaciers and the plains far below: a moment you will never forget.
After some time at the summit, you descend to Barafu for a short rest and then continue down to Mweka Camp, at a much more comfortable altitude, for dinner and a well-earned sleep.
Trek: Up 5 km · 6 to 7 hours to 5,895 m · Down 12 km · 5 to 7 hours to 3,100 m · 11 to 14 hours in total
Day 7 — Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Arusha or Moshi
After breakfast you walk down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,640 m), where you collect your summit certificate. You are then transferred to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi.
Trek: 10 km · 3 to 4 hours · 3,100 m to 1,640 m · rainforest
What's Included
Rate Includes
- Transport To And From Mountain Gates.
- All Parks Entry Fees.
- All Camping Fees.
- Rescue Fees.
- Guide and Porters Fees.
- Guide and Porters Salaries.
- All Accommodations on The Mountain Based On Three Meals A Day.
- Cook and All Kitchen Utensils.
Rate Excludes
- International And Domestic Flights (We Can Arrange On Request)
- Accommodation On The First Night Upon Your Arrival Before Climb And On The Last Day
- After Climb (Book With Us)
- Airport Transfers (Book With Us)
- Tips, Drinks And All Items Of Personal Nature
- Hard And Soft Drinks And Tips
- Sleeping Bags But We Can Provide For Hire On Request.
- All Mountain Gears (We Can Arrange Hire Of This)
Best Time to Go
This trek can be taken all year round. In general, the dry seasons from about January to March and June to October are the most popular times to climb Kilimanjaro, with clearer skies and drier trails. The wetter months from about April to May and November to December bring more rain and cloud, which can hide the views from the Shira Plateau and the summit, and make the forest sections muddy. Our team can advise on the best dates for your trek.
Pricing
From USD $2,150 per person
| Option | Price | Pax |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Camp Accommodation | US$ 2,150 per person sharing | Minimum 2 Pax |
| Extra days on the Mountain: US $ 310 per person per day | Minimum 2 Pax |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the trek start and end, and how long is it?
It starts with a drive from Arusha or Moshi to Machame Gate and ends at Mweka Gate, with a transfer back to Arusha or Moshi. The trek lasts seven days and six nights on the mountain.
Which camps do we stay in?
You sleep in tents at Machame Camp, Shira Camp, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp and Mweka Camp. The altitude rises from 3,000 m at Machame to 4,680 m at Barafu, the highest night of the trek.
Why is it called the “Whiskey Route”?
The Machame route is nicknamed the “Whiskey Route” because it is tougher and steeper than the Marangu “Coca-Cola Route”. It is also one of the most scenic routes, and its climb-high, sleep-low profile gives good acclimatisation.
Is the Machame route suitable for beginners?
No technical climbing experience is needed, but this is a challenging trek with long days and steep sections, so good fitness is important. Please ask our team about fitness and altitude preparation before you book.
Will we reach the summit at sunrise?
The summit push starts around midnight so that you reach the crater rim around sunrise. Reaching Uhuru Peak depends on your health, acclimatisation and the weather on the day.