Safari Itinerary · Tanzania · Kilimanjaro trekking
7 Day Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route
From $5,800 per person
This seven day trek takes you up Africa’s highest mountain on the Machame Route. You start in Arusha. You enter the park at Machame Gate and climb through rainforest, moorland and alpine desert. You summit Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters, then descend to Mweka Gate.
Your mountain guides set the pace each day. Slow walking helps your body adjust to altitude. A team of assistant guides, cooks and porters carries your gear and prepares your meals.
Duration · 7 days
From, per person · $5,800
Flights & transfers · Included
About this itinerary
The Machame Route is known as the Whiskey Route. It climbs high and sleeps low, which helps you adapt to altitude. You pass through five climate zones. You cross the Shira Plateau, climb the Barranco Wall and reach the summit at sunrise. The trail is steep in places and rewards you with wide views on every day.
Summit success depends on fitness, pace, weather and how your body handles altitude. Your guides check your health twice a day and adjust the plan when needed. No summit is guaranteed.
Best suited to: first time climbers, hikers, couples, friends and private groups.
Itinerary
Each day gives you time to walk, rest and adjust to the altitude.
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Your guide picks you up from your hotel in Arusha after breakfast. The drive to Machame Gate takes about one hour. Register with the park and meet your crew. Walk through thick rainforest on a wet, muddy trail. Look for blue monkeys and colobus monkeys in the trees. Your cook serves dinner at camp.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours
Distance: 11 km
Altitude: 1,800 m to 3,000 m
Overnight: Machame Camp
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Day 2
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Climb out of the forest into heather and moorland. The trail is steeper today. Views open up toward Mount Meru and the Shira Plateau. You reach camp by mid-afternoon. Rest, drink water and watch the sun set over the clouds.
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours
Distance: 5 km
Altitude: 3,000 m to 3,840 m
Overnight: Shira Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
Walk east across the plateau toward Lava Tower at 4,630 meters. Eat lunch near the tower. Then descend to Barranco Valley. This climb high and sleep low day is the key to your acclimatization. Giant groundsels grow in the valley. Barranco Wall rises above your tent.
Walking time: 6 to 7 hours
Distance: 10 km
Altitude: 3,840 m to 4,630 m to 3,950 m
Overnight: Barranco Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Climb the Barranco Wall after breakfast. Use your hands in a few steep sections. Your guide leads you through each step. At the top, the trail rolls up and down across valleys. Arrive at Karanga Camp by early afternoon. Rest well, since tomorrow is shorter and prepares you for the summit.
Walking time: 4 to 5 hours
Distance: 5 km
Altitude: 3,950 m to 4,035 m
Overnight: Karanga Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Walk a short, steady climb to Barafu Camp. The landscape is rock and dust. Eat an early dinner and sleep for a few hours. Your guide wakes you near midnight with hot tea and biscuits. Dress in layers and check your headlamp.
Walking time: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: 4 km
Altitude: 4,035 m to 4,673 m
Overnight: Barafu Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
Summit Day, Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Start the summit climb around midnight. Walk slowly in the dark on a steep, zigzag trail. It is cold and the air is thin. Reach Stella Point at about sunrise. Continue 45 to 60 minutes along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. Take photos and begin the descent. Rest at Barafu for breakfast, then continue down to Mweka Camp.
Walking time: 12 to 15 hours
Distance: 19 km
Altitude: 4,673 m to 5,895 m to 3,100 m
Overnight: Mweka Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Return to Arusha
Walk down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. The trail is steep and can be slippery. Collect your summit certificate at the gate. Your driver takes you back to your hotel in Arusha. Hot showers and a proper meal wait for you.
Walking time: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: 10 km
Altitude: 3,100 m to 1,640 m
End of climb: Arusha
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
The complete package
Everything included.
STAY
ARUSHA
1 night before the climb in a selected hotel is recommended and can be added.
Mountain camps
6 nights in private mountain tents. Full board.
Experiences
Rainforest
Walk through moss covered trees and look for monkeys and birds.
Shira Plateau and Lava Tower
Cross open moorland and climb to 4,630 meters for acclimatization.
Barranco Wall
Climb a steep rock section with wide valley views.
Uhuru Peak: Reach the highest point in Africa at sunrise.
Travel
Hotel pickup and drop off in Arusha.
Licensed mountain guide and assistant guides.
Cook, porters and camp crew.
Speak to a safari specialist
Let's plan your journey.
From your first enquiry to the day you come home, one named safari specialist looks after every detail. A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours
Everything included
A clear overview of what is covered in your safari package. Your final proposal will list the exact accommodation, activities and transport arrangements.
Transport
Private safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide, fuel and park transfer costs.
Accommodation
Accommodation according to the selected package and the final itinerary confirmation.
Meals
Meals are provided according to the meal plan shown in your confirmed itinerary.
Park Fees
Applicable national park and conservation fees included according to the confirmed route.
Usually excluded: international flights, visas, travel insurance, personal purchases, tips and items not listed in your confirmed proposal.