Kilimanjaro 7 Day Machame Route

8 Nights

9 Days

0 Destinations

Trip overview

The Machame Route for Kilimanjaro with an extra day for acclimatization! Frequently known as the "Whisky Route," this esteemed path winds its way up through steep trails and magnificent forests to a ridge, leading adventurers through the moorland zones to the expansive Shira Plateau. From there, it weaves beneath the glaciated edges of the Southern...

Day by day

Arrival, Karibu Tanzania!

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative, who will then provide transportation to the Springlands Hotel in Moshi. Here, you will spend the night, resting and preparing for your climbing adventure set to begin the next day.

Itinerary

2 Travellers

June 15, 2025 - June 23, 2025

June 15 - June 23

Jun 15

Day 1

Arrival, Karibu Tanzania!

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative, who will then provide transportation to the Springlands Hotel in Moshi. Here, you will spend the night, resting and preparing for your climbing adventure set to begin the next day.

Note

Meals can be purchased from Springlands Hotel at an extra cost.

Jun 16

Day 2

Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Your adventure begins early with a comprehensive briefing, followed by breakfast. A 45-minute drive will take you from Moshi (910m) to the Machame village (1490m), where guides and porters will meticulously prepare and pack the supplies and equipment. The condition of the road dictates whether a vehicle can take you directly to the Machame gate; if the path is impassable, a 3 km trek through mud, typically lasting about an hour, will lead you there instead. Upon arriving and registering at the gate office, your ascent commences as you enter the lush rainforest. A lunch pack will be provided at the gate, and you can hydrate with bottled water purchased previously at the Springlands Hotel in Moshi. The rainforest may present rain, turning the trail soggy, muddy, and slippery. As evening approaches, the porters will boil water for drinking and washing, and the cook will prepare dinner. You'll then retire to your tent for the night, where temperatures at the Machame campsite can drop to the freezing point, marking a chilly but exhilarating end to the day's journey.

Note

When checking out of the hotel, you'll settle your bill with the hotel for any extras that you've bought (meals, water, drinks, etc.). When arriving at Machame Gate, there may be an extended wait time as the team prepares the documentation for the climb.

Jun 17

Day 3

Machame Camp to Shira Camp

An early start at Machame camp sets the tone for the day, as you embark on the journey just after breakfast. The initial climb takes you through the forest's canopy for about an hour, reaching the moorland zone where the gradient becomes gentler for the next two hours. A brief pause for lunch and rest prepares you for the continuation of your ascent along a rocky ridge leading onto the expansive Shira plateau. It's here that the Eastern vistas open up, offering breathtaking views of the Western Breach and its majestic glaciers, with Kibo looming to your east. Your day's trek concludes upon arrival at the Shira campsite, situated at an altitude of 3,840 meters. As evening sets in, the porters will once again prepare boiling water for drinking and washing, followed by the serving of dinner. Positioned within this exposed camp, you'll find the night to be even colder than the last, with temperatures plunging well below freezing, marking a serene yet stark reminder of the mountain's rugged beauty.

Jun 18

Day 4

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

The journey now veers eastward into a semi-desert and rocky expanse surrounding the Lava Tower, culminating at an elevation of 4,630 meters after approximately a five-hour trek. A designated area serves as the lunch spot before you tackle the ascent on the rocky scree path to Lava Tower, marking the most challenging day of the expedition thus far. It's at this juncture that climbers may begin to experience the initial signs of altitude sickness, including breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. Post-lunch, a descent of nearly 680 meters leads you to the Barranco camping area. Having reached the day's peak altitude at Lava Tower, the descent underscores the acclimatization advantage of this segment. This two-hour journey down to Barranco camp not only offers a respite but also presents ample opportunities to capture stunning photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. Nestled in a valley beneath the imposing Breach and the Great Barranco Wall, the campsite promises a remarkable sunset scene, setting a picturesque backdrop as you await dinner preparation. The night spent at Barranco Campsite, with its unique location, adds a memorable chapter to your adventure.

Jun 19

Day 5

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

This acclimatization day is expertly designed to enhance your adaptation to the altitude, ensuring a successful summit attempt. As you conquer the famed Barranco Wall, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramas that promise to elevate your spirit. The path to Karanga Camp not only prepares your body for the heights ahead but also offers a moment to marvel at the natural wonders of Kilimanjaro.

Note

This is where the Machame 6 day route and the Machame 7 day route differ. The individuals that you may be hiking with who are doing the Machame 6 day route will head on to the next camp.

Jun 20

Day 6

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

The journey continues towards Barafu Camp. As you make your way, you'll transition into an environment totally exposed to the relentless gales, where tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and somewhat perilous ridge. It's crucial to acquaint yourself with the surrounding terrain before nightfall to prevent any mishaps. The summit looms a further 1,345 meters above, and you're slated to begin the final ascent later that same night. Preparation is key; ready your equipment, ski stick, and thermal clothing for the summit attempt. This preparation phase should include checking and replacing the batteries in both your headlamp and camera, ensuring you have a spare set for each. To avoid the risk of your water freezing, consider carrying it in a thermal flask. Plan to retire to bed around 19:00, aiming for a few hours of vital rest and sleep, ideally no more than five hours, before you face the summit challenge.

Jun 21

Day 7

Summit Mt. Kilimanjaro at Uhuru Peak!

You will awaken at around 11:30 PM, and after savoring some tea and biscuits, you'll venture into the night. Your journey will take a northwesterly path, climbing through dense scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This six-hour trek to Stella Point ranks as the most challenging phase of the climb for many, both mentally and physically. Upon arrival at Stella Point (5,685m), you'll take a brief respite and be greeted by an extraordinary sunrise, arguably the most magnificent one you're likely to witness, weather allowing. From Stella Point, the path typically features snow all the way during your two-hour climb to Uhuru Peak. The length of your stay at the summit will be dictated by the weather conditions. It's advisable not to linger excessively, as the combination of cold and fatigue can make resuming your descent particularly challenging. Take a moment to cherish your achievement and the unforgettable experience, a memory to treasure for a lifetime. The descent to Barafu from the summit will take about three hours. Here, you'll enjoy a well-deserved, though brief, rest and gather the remainder of your gear before continuing your descent to Mweka Camp (3,100m) for dinner and overnight.

Jun 22

Day 8

Final descent from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

After breakfast, your journey continues from the Mweka Gate down to the Mweka village, a trek that is typically muddy and takes about an hour. Upon reaching the village, you will be driven back to the Springlands Hotel where a delicious hot lunch awaits you! Afterward, you'll return to Moshi where a much-needed hot shower will be ready for you at the Springlands Hotel, where you will stay overnight on a full-board basis. It is customary and greatly appreciated to provide tips at the conclusion of your journey. Tips can be conveniently given to the guide at the Springlands Hotel. This is also the venue where successful climbers are awarded their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point (5,685m) will receive green certificates, while those who made it to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) are honored with gold certificates, marking their significant achievements.

Jun 23

Day 9

Transfer to your next location

Today you'll be heading to your next drop-off location from the overnight accommodation. Please select one of the extra for this trip if you need a ride to your next location.

Note

When checking out of the hotel, you'll settle your bill with the hotel for any extras that you've bought (meals, water, drinks, etc.).

What's included

Transportation from Moshi to the starting point on the mountain and return to Moshi.

National park gate fees, hut/camping fees.

Rescue fees, tents, and sleeping mattresses.

Guides' salaries, porters' salaries, and all meals on the mountain.

Guides, porters, cook accommodation, and entry fees on the mountain.

Qualified guides for all the routes.

What's excluded

Single room at your overnight accommodation.

Tips for the staff and the team helping you climb.

Trip extras

Optional

Private Toilet

Included

Extra Acclimatization Day

Arrival

Jun 15, 2025

Extras included

Extra Acclimatization Day

Total

USD

Offer is made subject to availability at the time of booking. Added trip extras are finalized on request.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1

Jun 15

Day 2

Jun 16

Day 3

Jun 17

Day 4

Jun 18

Day 5

Jun 19

Day 6

Jun 20

Day 7

Jun 21

Day 8

Jun 22

Day 9

Jun 23

What to know

Packing list

A full list of what you will need to ensure a comfortable trip.

Booking policy

Learn about our payment terms, cancellation and refund policy.

What our travellers say

Reviews from our trips

Humaid

May 2025

United Arab Emirates

Just wanted to say thank you for the amazing trip in Kenya! Everything was perfectly organized — from the safari experience to the accommodations and guides. ...

Dave & Family

May 2025

Virginia, USA

Our safari in Tanzania with Travly (via CloudSafaris) was truly unforgettable. The team was fantastic to work with. They helped us design a custom trip that matched our bu...

Abigael

May 2025

France

My safari experience was incredibly well organized from start to finish. The Travly team was supportive even before the trip began, providing all the information I needed ...

Tasha

December 2024

Manchester, UK

CloudSafaris made our entire safari planning experience smooth, thoughtful, and deeply personalized for our safari in Tanzania. The team's expertise and care gave us total confiden...

Dana & Dennis

October 2024

Washington, D.C.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Josh and Cloud Safaris for my trip with my father to Kenya, and I cannot express enough how outstanding the experience was. Clo...

Lester & Group

September 2024

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Angela & Din

February 2024

Aliston, Canada

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Aliya

February 2024

Missouri, USA

It was an incredible experience. I felt like I had the best team by my side and they got me through some of the toughest moments I’ve experienced. Very organized and the entire tea...

Brandon

February 2024

Alberta, Canada

Booking my trips to Amboseli National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro through CloudSafaris were smooth and straightforward. Their planning and attention to detail let me spend more time...

Alysha & Colin

January 2024

Canada

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Suzanne & Paul

November 2023

Mississauga, Canada

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Mitch

March 2023

New York, USA

I am pleased to say that I could not be happier with the outcome. The entire trip from start to finish far exceeded my expectations. CloudSafaris offered personalized attention, gr...