7 Days Machame Route

Overview

The "Whiskey Route": stunning scenery, varied landscapes and a good success rate thanks to its excellent acclimatisation profile.

Highlights

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day 1Machame Gate to Machame Camp

   Drive from Moshi or Arusha to Machame Gate (about 1.5–2 hours) and begin the trek through dense rainforest with moss-covered trees and vibrant birdlife.

   1,800 m → 3,000 m~11 km5–7 hoursMontane forestOvernight: Machame Camp

2. Day 2Machame Camp to Shira Camp

   Trek through heather and moorland with views of Kibo Peak and Mount Meru.

   3,000 m → 3,840 m~5 km4–6 hoursMoorlandOvernight: Shira Camp

3. Day 3Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

   Ascend steadily to Lava Tower for acclimatisation, then descend to Barranco Camp through the beautiful Senecio forest.

   3,840 m → 4,630 m → 3,960 m~10 km6–8 hoursSemi-desertOvernight: Barranco Camp

4. Day 4Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

   Climb the iconic Barranco Wall, then hike over ridges and through valleys to Karanga Camp.

   3,960 m → 4,035 m~5 km4–5 hoursAlpine desertOvernight: Karanga Camp

5. Day 5Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   Ascend to base camp for summit night, with an early dinner and sleep.

   4,035 m → 4,640 m~4 km3–4 hoursAlpine desertOvernight: Barafu Camp

6. Day 6Summit day: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

   Wake around midnight and begin the challenging climb to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro, then descend to Mweka Camp.

   4,640 m → 5,895 m → 3,080 m~17 km11–14 hoursArctic to rainforestOvernight: Mweka Camp

7. Day 7Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

   Final descent through lush forest to Mweka Gate, where you receive your summit certificate, then transfer to Moshi or Arusha.

   3,080 m → 1,640 m~10 km3–4 hoursRainforest

Elevation profile

Good to know