7 Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame Route

Activities & Highlights

1.Traverse 5 climate zones – from rainforest to glaciers.

2. Trek the famous Barranco Wall – one of the most thrilling sections of Kilimanjaro.

3. Summit attempt via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – the Roof of Africa.

4. Stunning landscapes – Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Barranco Valley, Rebmann Glacier.

5. Full mountain support – professional guides, porters, and chef with hot meals daily.

Book This Itinerary

7 Days Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route

Known as the “Whiskey Route”, the Machame trail is the most popular way to climb Kilimanjaro. It offers striking scenery, diverse landscapes, and a challenging but rewarding ascent to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m (19,341 ft). The route passes through lush rainforest, heath, alpine desert, and arctic summit zones, making it one of the most beautiful and dramatic climbs on the mountain. This 7-day itinerary is designed for better acclimatization and higher summit success.

Trip Summary

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport – Transfer to Arusha – Overnight in lodge.

Day 2: Arusha – Drive to Machame Gate – Trek to Machame Camp (2,835m) – Overnight Machame Camp.

Day 3: Machame Camp – Trek to Shira Camp (3,840m) – Overnight Shira Camp.

Day 4: Shira Camp – Trek via Lava Tower (4,600m) – Descend to Barranco Camp (3,950m) – Overnight Barranco Camp.

Day 5: Barranco Camp – Climb Barranco Wall – Continue to Barafu Camp (4,630m) – Overnight Barafu Camp.

Day 6: Midnight summit push via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Descend to Mweka Camp (3,110m) – Overnight Mweka Camp.

Day 7: Mweka Camp – Descend to Mweka Gate – Transfer back to Arusha – End of trek.

Overview
Itinerary
Gallery
Cost Includes

7 Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame Route

Mount Kilimanjaro – This iconic snow-capped dormant volcano is Africa’s highest peak at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. Trekking on Kilimanjaro takes you through five different climatic zones, from tropical rainforest at the base to arctic conditions with permanent glaciers near the summit. We suggest this option of 7 days via the Machame Route with an established local operator, specializing in mountain trekking. This is a private option based on 2 people and including all park fees. It is possible to experience the trip with your family as a private group, or to join an existing group with set dates. Contact us for options

Day 1 Arusha-Staying at the lodge

Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport and road transfer to the Lodge.

Meet with the outfitter’s team for a comprehensive climb briefing. Overnight accommodation and breakfast included. Dinner available at a supplement.

The Machame (Whiskey) Route is the most popular camping route on Kilimanjaro. It’s a rugged combination of routes which begins through the rainforest at Machame Village on the southwest side of the mountain, and over six days, rises onto the edge of the Shira Plateau, down into the beautiful Great Barranco Valley, then circumvents the Kibo massif counter-clockwise through alpine desert until reaching Barafu Camp.

Day 2 Mount Kilimanjaro-Staying at Machame Camp

MACHAME GATE (5,950 ft./ 1,815 mt.) ~ MACHAME CAMP (9,850 ft./ 3,000 m)

Departure from Arusha at around 8am for the Machame Gate, about 1.5 hours’ drive. Upon completion of entry formalities, begin walking through the mist on a 4 x 4 track for about an hour into the forest. The track ends, and the trail continues up through the verdant forest. You will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above and may even see black & white colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys as you hike along the forest floor.

The trek is quite long (12 miles / 20 km), though not very steep, and it takes from 5 to 7 hours trekking to reach the first camp

Day 3 Mount Kilimanjaro-Staying at Shira Camp

MACHAME CAMP ~ SHIRA CAMP (12,600 ft./ 3,840 m).

Wake early to a steaming cup of tea or coffee served in your tent. After breakfast, begin up the steep track up through a savannah of tall grasses, trees of giant Heather and Erica. The clouds should clear for a beautiful view of the Western Breach and the glaciers atop which mark the summit of Uhuru Peak.

Scramble around large boulders as you enter the moorland zone, marked by the bizarre lobelia and senecio plants, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards, which protect wild alpine flowers growing at their bases.

You’ll reach camp after descending a small valley and crossing a brook, then ascending onto the Shira Ridge, after a total of about 4 to 5 hours of trekking.

Day 4 Mount Kilimanjaro-Staying at Barranco Camp

SHIRA CAMP ~ BARRANCO CAMP (12,950 ft./ 3,950 m)

Proceed steadily upward over long ridgelines of high desert for about 4 hours, and break for lunch at 14,500 feet (4,420 mt.). After lunch, continue to Lava Tower, a 300-foot-tall volcanic plug, which marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet (4,600 m).

In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a flat area enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjari), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia. Trekking time is from 6 to 7 hours.

Day 5 Mount Kilimanjaro-Staying at Barafu Camp

BARRANCO CAMP ~ BARAFU CAMP (15,200 ft./ 4,630 m)

The day begins with a scramble up the steep ‘Barranco Wall’, trekking 3 to 4 hours before stopping in the Karanga Valley for a hot lunch.

In the afternoon the trail turns steadily uphill. The temperature grows colder and the landscape sparser as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight.

Eat and drink as much as possible before retiring to your tent for rest and sleep.

Day 6 Mount Kilimanjaro

BARAFU CAMP ~ UHURU PEAK (19,340 ft./5,895 mt.) ~ MWEKA CAMP (10,200 ft./3,110 m)

The steaming hot drink will arrive very early on this momentous day. A midnight wake-up call is the start of a juggernaut (12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking between 12:30 and 1am. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to –10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at the summit.

The winding path of endless switchbacks will take form and shape in the shadows of the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers at early dawn, and behind you the spires of Mawenzi will be silhouetted against the red glow of the sun from beneath the clouds. After about 6 hours of walking, you will come to the edge of the crater, at Stella Point, at 19,000 feet (5,790 mt.), which is the end of the steep track. From here, there is a gentle slope upward about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak.

After a short time at the summit, descend the steep scree trail back to Barafu Camp for some rest and then summon your strength for further descent to Mweka Camp for the night.

Day 7 End Of Itinerary

MWEKA CAMP ~ MWEKA GATE (6,000 ft. /1,830 m) ~ ARUSHA

Descend straight to the gate (2-3 hours), where you’ll have lunch and will be awarded climbing certificates. A private transfer back to Arusha, will drop you off at the airport.

We strongly recommend to extend your trip with 1 night in Arusha and then off to a few days on safari. Contact us for options.