The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Machame’s drawing is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered complex, steep, and challenging, mainly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking, or backpacking experience. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with an hour drive from Arusha to Machame Gate.
The Route
Arusha
Machame Gate (Mt. Kilimanjaro)
Uhuru Peak Then Millennium Camp
Arusha
Tour Features
Shared tourYou will join a group of other travelers. Max 10 people per group
- Can not be customizedThe accommodations and destinations of this tour cannot be changed
- Budget tourThis budget tour includes mountain huts or camping
- Can start any dayIf availability permits, this tour can start on any day
Mt. Kilimanjaro Trekking Guide
- Best Time to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
- Kilimanjaro Trekking FAQ’s
- What Car do we Use?
- Kilimanjaro Packing List
- What to Expect on a Trekking
- Booking Terms and Conditions
Arusha - Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)
One hour’s drive from Arusha lies the gate to the Machame Route, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters, and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforests. This path is less well-trodden, so it can get somewhat overgrown, and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time took: 6 hours
Meals : (Lunch & Dinner) Included
Accommodation: Machame Camp
Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)
Our route continues up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt. Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.
Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi
Approx. time took: 5 hours.
Meals : (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Included
Shira Cave (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach, and finally reach the camp. The day has been spent at an altitude up to 4600m, but we follow the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid our body’s acclimatization to altitude.
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time took: 8 hrs.
Meals : (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Included
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Barranco Camp (3960m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
Our day starts by descending into the entrance of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technically demanding but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten Glaciers, Read More
Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi
Approx. time took: 8 hours.
Meals : (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Included
Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Barafu Camp (4640m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m)
We start off at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will climb the scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us Read More
Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi
Approx. time took: 12 – 15 hours.
Meals : (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Included
Accommodation: Millennium Camp
Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m) - Arusha
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Arusha, where you can treat yourself to a welcome hot shower.
Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi
Approx. time took: 6 hours.
Meals : (Breakfast, & Lunch ) Included
Accommodation: No accommodation
| Start dates | Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2023 | Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Single Person (1 tent) | On Request | On Request |
| 2+ people (sharing tents) | $1,815 | $1,815 |
What is Included / Excluded in the Price
Included
- Park fees(For non-residents)
- A professional Driver | Guide
- All accommodation(Unless listed as upgrade)
- All activities(Unless labeled as optional)
- All transportation(Unless labeled as optional)
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All Taxes | VAT
- Meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks(As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Camping equipment
- Sleeping bag
Excluded
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Visa fees
- International flights (From/to home)
- Tips(Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Optional activities
- Personal items(Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Domestic Flights
- Bath towels
Tanzania Travel Guide
- Best Time to Visit Tanzania
- Tanzania Safari FAQ’s
- What Car do we Use?
- Tanzania Safari Packing List
- What to Expect on a Safari
- Booking Terms and Conditions
