Summit Uhuru Peak – 5,895 m (19,341 ft) · Trek through the beautiful Montane Rainforest
Trip Info
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Accommodation
Mountain tents
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Departure City
Moshi
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Arrival City
Moshi
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Best Season
Jun – Oct, Jan – Feb
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Guide
Guided mountain crew
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Duration
6 Days / 5 Nights
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Group Size
1 – 12 guests
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Stay Category
Camping
Overview
The Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey Route,” is one of the most popular routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. It offers spectacular scenery, diverse landscapes, and a gradual approach to the summit.
This 6-day itinerary is designed for adventurous trekkers who want to experience Kilimanjaro through forests, moorlands, alpine desert, and the high-altitude summit zone. The route includes the famous Lava Tower and Barranco Wall before continuing toward Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
With experienced mountain guides, proper preparation, and carefully planned daily stages, the Machame Route provides an unforgettable Kilimanjaro trekking experience.
Tour Highlights
- Summit Uhuru Peak – 5,895 m (19,341 ft)
- Trek through the beautiful Montane Rainforest
- Explore the Shira Plateau
- Experience Lava Tower
- Climb the famous Barranco Wall
- Enjoy spectacular views of Mount Meru and the surrounding landscapes
- Experience a night in the high-altitude alpine desert
- Camp under the stars on Mount Kilimanjaro
- Reach the highest point in Africa
A 6-day Machame itinerary is a demanding schedule because the summit day is combined with the descent to Mweka Camp. Proper preparation and acclimatization are important.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Airport transfers from Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Accommodation in Moshi before and after the trek, according to the package
- Professional, experienced mountain guides
- Park entrance fees
- Kilimanjaro National Park fees
- Camping fees
- Rescue/emergency fees
- All meals during the mountain trek
- Quality mountain tents
- Sleeping mats
- Porters
- Porter wages and park fees
- Drinking water during the trek
- Government taxes and applicable service charges
- Emergency first-aid equipment
- Summit certificate
Not Included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal hiking equipment
- Sleeping bag
- Tips for guides, porters and support staff
- Alcoholic and other personal beverages
- Laundry services
- Personal expenses
- Additional hotel nights not included in the itinerary
- Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
- Personal medical expenses
- Any activities not mentioned under “Included”
Itinerary
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Day 01: Machame Gate – Machame Camp
After breakfast, drive from Moshi to Machame Gate for registration. The trek begins through lush montane rainforest, home to colobus monkeys and giant ferns, climbing steadily to Machame Camp.
- Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
- Distance: 11 km
- Starting Altitude: 1,800 m / 5,906 ft
- Ending Altitude: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Machame Camp
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Day 02: Machame Camp – Shira 2 Camp
Leave the rainforest behind and climb a steep, rocky ridge into the moorland zone. The trail eases onto the Shira Plateau with wide views of Kibo and the western Breach.
- Hiking Time: 4–6 hours
- Distance: 5 km
- Starting Altitude: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft
- Ending Altitude: 3,845 m / 12,615 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp
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Day 03: Shira 2 Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp
A key acclimatization day: climb through the alpine desert to the 4,630 m Lava Tower for lunch, then descend into the Barranco Valley among giant groundsels. Climb high, sleep low.
- Hiking Time: 6–8 hours
- Distance: 10 km
- Starting Altitude: 3,845 m / 12,615 ft
- Ending Altitude: 3,960 m / 12,992 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Barranco Camp
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Day 04: Barranco Camp – Karanga – Barafu Camp
Climb the Barranco Wall, continue across the Karanga Valley for lunch and push on to Barafu Camp. Early dinner and rest before the midnight summit attempt.
- Hiking Time: 7–9 hours
- Distance: 9 km
- Starting Altitude: 3,960 m / 12,992 ft
- Ending Altitude: 4,673 m / 15,331 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Barafu Camp
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Day 05: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp
Wake near midnight for the summit push. Climb steadily to Stella Point on the crater rim for sunrise, then on to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Descend to Barafu for a rest and continue down to Mweka Camp.
- Hiking Time: 12–15 hours
- Distance: 17 km
- Starting Altitude: 4,673 m / 15,331 ft
- Ending Altitude: 3,100 m / 10,171 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Mweka Camp
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Day 06: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi
A final walk down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you receive your summit certificate. Transfer back to Moshi for a hot shower and celebration.
- Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
- Distance: 10 km
- Starting Altitude: 3,100 m / 10,171 ft
- Ending Altitude: 1,640 m / 5,381 ft
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi / Departure
Frequently Asked Questions
The Machame Route is considered a challenging Kilimanjaro route, particularly because of its steep sections and the demanding summit day. Good physical preparation is recommended.
The Machame Route can be climbed in different durations. A 6-day itinerary is possible, while longer itineraries allow more time for acclimatization.
The highest point is Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m (19,341 ft) above sea level.
No. Previous technical climbing experience is generally not required, but you should have good physical fitness and be prepared for long days of hiking at high altitude.
You will sleep in mountain camps using camping tents provided as part of the trekking arrangement.
Kilimanjaro can be climbed throughout much of the year. The commonly preferred periods are the drier months, particularly June to October and January to February.
Essential items include proper hiking boots, warm layers, waterproof clothing, a headlamp, gloves, hat, personal toiletries, water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, and suitable trekking clothing.
Yes, beginners can climb the Machame Route if they are physically prepared and follow their guide's instructions. The main challenge is altitude rather than technical climbing.
Yes. A professional mountain guide leads the trek, while porters assist with camping equipment and other necessary supplies.
If a trekker develops symptoms of altitude sickness or cannot safely continue, the mountain team will assess the situation and may recommend descending. Safety takes priority over reaching the summit.
