Ascending Mt Kilimanjaro | Peter Brooke

Exploring around Barranco Wall | Kyle Super

Camp with stunning views of Kibo | Natalie Tambolash

Kilimanjaro - Machame Route

The most popular Kili route with around 50% of all Kilimanjaro trekkers choosing this trail

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1 review

9 Days from

$3460 USD

Trip Code: KIM

View dates to Book Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement Hotels Only

$180 USD

Single Supplement Tent Only

$280 USD

Single Supplement

$450 USD

Duration

9 Days

Activities

7 day trek

Accommodation

6 nights camping
2 nights hotel

Meals

8 Dinners
7 Lunches
8 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

6 / 10

Moderate to Challenging

Carbon Footprint

39kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(313kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Kilimanjaro - Machame Route Trip highlights

Climb Kilimanjaro via the iconic “Whiskey Route” - a well established trail, offering a full mountain traverse and diverse scenery
Ascend the spectacular Barranco Wall (3950m/ 12,960ft), a dramatic and rewarding ridgeline climb with sweeping valley views
Celebrate your achievement with panoramic sunrise views across East Africa, at Uhuru Peak (5895m/19,341ft)
Descend a different route via Mweka Gate to complete a true traverse of the mountain

Overview

Known as the “Whiskey Route”, the Machame trail is Kilimanjaro’s most popular approach - and for good reason. Joining in Arusha and with seven days on the mountain, this route provides an ideal balance of challenging terrain, stunning scenery, and effective acclimatisation.

The trail starts out in lush forest, then climbing steeply to the Shira Plateau, crossing alpine desert and ascending the Barranco Wall - one of the most dramatic sections of the entire mountain.

From your summit camp at Barafu, the final ascent begins under the stars, reaching Stella Point (5756m/18,885ft) at sunrise, before continuing to Uhuru Peak (5895m/ 19,341ft) – the highest point in Africa. The descent via the Mweka Trail gives a fresh perspective and completes the full traverse.

While the trek requires no technical climbing, the trails are demanding and require a very good level of fitness. With the support of our experienced guides, ample acclimatisation time and a proven route design, this trek offers not just a summit – but a journey of accomplishment.

Itinerary

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Today is an arrival day. If you choose to fly into Kilimanjaro Airport we recommend a private transfer to Arusha where the rest of the day is at leisure. We stay at the Moivaro Coffee Plantation which has spacious rooms, a pool, and restaurant. This afternoon at 16:30 you will meet the rest of the group and your guide for a trip briefing.

Meals: D

After completing the necessary registration formalities, the climb starts from Machame Gate (1800m) and follows a ridge through dense montane forest. This is the richest forested area on the mountain, and also the zone from where 96% of the water on Kilimanjaro originates. On sunny days, and especially in the dry season, this section is very lush and beautiful; it can also be a very muddy experience, particularly if it has rained recently! We have lunch at ‘Halfway Clearing’, a small opening in the trees, and continue climbing steadily. The gradient becomes gentler as the forest slowly merges into giant heather close to the next camp near the ruins of Machame Hut (3000m). We may get our first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo if the evening clouds permit. [6-8 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

A shorter day that begins by climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known as Picnic Rock. There are excellent views of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau from here, and it is a good rest point too! The trail continues less steeply to reach the Shira Plateau. We camp near Shira Hut (3840m) which has some of the most stunning views on Kilimanjaro; close to the huge volcanic cone of Kibo, the spectacular rock formations of Shira Plateau, and looking across to Mt Meru floating on the clouds. [4-6 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4550m) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3900 m), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. [5-7 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga (4000m), the last water point on the way to the summit. There is plenty of time to rest, or for a short optional acclimatisation walk in the afternoon up the valley above the camp. [4-5 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

We follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu campsite (4600m) for lunch. There is a short acclimatisation walk to the plateau at the bottom of the South-East valley (4800m). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night. [4-5 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5735m), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5895m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite Millenium (3800m). [11-15 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

A sustained descent on a well constructed path through lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the National Park gate at Mweka (1650m). Here we sign out from the National Park before walking on for a further 15 minutes through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village where our vehicle awaits. The shower, the beer, and the swimming pool are tantalisingly close! Overnight at Moivaro Coffee Plantation. [4-6 hours walking]

Meals: B,L,D

In Arusha, after breakfast at your hotel, the trip arrangements end.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

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What’s included?

Included

Experienced local mountain guides, cook and camp crew
2 nights in 3 star hotel in Arusha on a twinshare basis
6 nights fully supported camping on a twinshare tent basis
Group camping equipment including tent (sleeping bag and mat not included - can be hired locally)
8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 8 dinners
Porters to carry personal and group equipment
Park entrance fees valued at US$968
Emergency oxygen

Not included

Flights
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Visa
Arrival or departure transfers in Arusha
Sleeping bags and mats
Aerated and alcoholic drinks
Items of a personal nature
Tips
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary

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