6-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro

6-Day Machame Route: Kilimanjaro’s Most Scenic & Rewarding Ascent

Embark on an exhilarating Kilimanjaro climb with our 6-Day Machame Route expedition, widely celebrated as the most scenic and rewarding path to Africa’s summit. Known affectionately as the ‘Whiskey Route’ for its demanding yet highly effective ‘climb high, sleep low’ profile, this Kilimanjaro Machame trek offers excellent acclimatization opportunities, significantly enhancing your chances of reaching Mount Kilimanjaro’s majestic Uhuru Peak.

Unlike the Marangu Route, the 6-Day Machame is a full camping trek, immersing you deeply in the mountain’s pristine wilderness. Traverse through five distinct climatic zones, from the lush rainforest and across vast moorlands, past the iconic Lava Tower, and over the dramatic Barranco Wall. Each day brings new, breathtaking vistas and a chance to experience Kilimanjaro’s diverse ecosystems up close, providing unparalleled photographic opportunities.

While more challenging than some other routes, the 6-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro is renowned for its strategic design that naturally aids acclimatization. The ‘climb high, sleep low’ strategy helps your body adapt to altitude effectively, preparing you optimally for the final summit day push from Barafu Camp. The sheer reward of standing atop Uhuru Peak after this diverse and demanding journey is an achievement unlike any other, made more accessible by this thoughtfully structured itinerary.

Ready to embrace the challenge and unparalleled beauty of Kilimanjaro’s ‘Whiskey Route’? Explore our 6-Day Machame Route packages and prepare for an unforgettable adventure to the Roof of Africa, designed for your ultimate success!

INCLUSIONS

All the transfers to the mountain gate and back to your accommodation

Professional, experienced and English speakers (you can request for other language) mountain guides, mountain porters (according to group size) and a professional cook

Government park fees (with 18% VAT), including entrance fees, rescue fees, accommodation fees

Waterproof, four-season high quality mountain sleeping tents (twin tents)

Quality mess tents with table and chairs

Warm sleeping bags

Sleeping mattress

Emergency oxygen cylinder

3 meals a day during the trek days, according to client’s preferences (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Clean, purified drinking water (unlimited supply)

EXCLUSIONS

International and local flights

Tanzania visa

Surcharge for payment by credit card (5% on each payment)

Surcharge for cash withdrawal charged by the banks

Accommodations before and after the trek (available as extra addition)

Airport transfers (available as extra addition)

Traveling insurance

Tips and gratitudes

Personal hiking equipment such as hiking boots, clothes etc. (available for renting)

Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, beverages)

Day 0 : Breafing Day

If you just arrived in Kilimanjaro airport one day or more before the trek and you choose to use transfer service, we will pick you up from the airport directly to your accommodation in Arusha/Moshi.

A day before the hike used for briefing about the whole trek. Checking of the equipments and everything regarding the hike, Meeting with the Head guide to answer all of your questions etc. so it is advised to arrive at least one day before the hike for all the arrangements etc

Day 1 : From Machame Gate To Machame Camp

After breakfast from your hotel in Arusha/Moshi start driving to the Machame gate. From Arusha it takes around 2.5-3 hours and from Moshi to the Machame gate is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Reaching the gate, the guide will do registration and after everything is arranged you will start the hike. You will walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At the lower part the trail can be muddy and slippery what makes gatters and trekking necessary and mostly useful. Later on arriving at Machame camp for dinner and overnight.

Elevation: 1,830m/6,000ft at Machame gate to 2,835m/9,300ft at Machame camp.
Walking distance: 11kms/6.8 miles
Estimate walking time: 5- 7 hours
Habitat: Rain forest and Moorland

Day 2 : Machame Camp To Shira Camp

After breakfast you leave from the rain forest and continue ascending, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge, the route turns west into the river gorge, you will arrive at the Shira camp for relaxing, dinner and overnight.

Elevation: 2,835m/9,300ft at Machame camp to 3,610m/11,843ft at Shira camp
Walking distance: 5kms/3 miles
Estimate walking time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland

Day 3 : Shira Camp To Lava Tower Camp To Baranco Camp

From the Shira camp plateu you continue ascending through the east up ridge passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo. As you ascend more the direction changes to the south east towards the Lava Tower nicknamed “the sharks tooth” the shortly after the tower you get to the second junction which bring you to the arrow glacier at an altitude of 4,877m/16,000ft and then you continue down to the Baranco camp at an altitude of 3,900m/12,795ft for resting, dinner and overnight.

Elevation: 3,610m/11,843ft at Shira camp, 4,600m/15,092ft at Lava tower and 3,900m/12,795ft at Baranco camp
Walking Distance: 10kms/6.2 miles
Estimate walking time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Semi desert

Day 4 : Baranco Camp To Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp

After breakfast you leave Baranco camp, keep on ascending on the steep ridge passing through Baranco wall, approximately it takes around 1 hour to climb. You may need to use your hands occasionally but don’t be over concerned as the wall is not dangerous and at the summit of the wall the road drifts and lead you to the Karanga valley camp. Lunch will be served on the way, after you leave Karanga and hits the junction which connects with Mweka route trail. You continue ascending to the Barafu camp and at this point you will be able to see the summit of Uhuru peak from different angles. You will rest at Barafu camp for resting, preparations and dinner before summit hike.

Elevation: 3,900m/12,795ft at Baranco camp, 4,673m/15,331ft at Barafu camp
Walking distance: 9kms/5.6 miles
Estimate walking time: 8-10 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert

Day 5 : Barafu Camp To Summit To Mweka Camp

Wake up very early in the morning (midnight to 2am) and continue ascending to the summit, on the way you reach at Stella point at 5,745m on the edge of Kibo crater. The trail is steep and slow, from Stella point to Uhuru peak it takes around 45 minutes, passing through glaciers and snowfields. And then you have arrived at the highest point of Africa, Uhuru peak at 5895m! After resting, taking some pictures you start descending back down to Barafu camp, eat breakfast and relax a bit before continue descending all the way to Mweka camp, where you can take a rest, dinner and overnight at Mweka camp.

Elevation: 4,673m/ 15,331ft at Barafu camp, Uhuru point at 5,895m/ 19,340ft and 3,100m/10,170ft at Mweka camp
Walking distance: 5 km/3 miles Ascending and 12km/7.5 miles descending
Estimate walking time: 7- 8 hours ascending and 4-6 descending
Habitat: Arctic at the summit

Day 6 : Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate To Moshi/arusha

After breakfast at Mweka camp you continue descending all the way to Mweka gate where you will receive your certificate if you manage to reach some points such as Stella point and Uhuru Point. The car will be waiting at the gate to take you back to your accommodation in Arusha/Moshi.

Walking distance: 10km/6.2 miles
Estimate walking time: 3-4 hours

Tour Reviews

5.00 based on 1 review

Monica

February 10, 2025

Jessica and I just returned from the most incredible adventure – summiting Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route with Mnyalu Safaris! Our guide Nickson was absolutely phenomenal. His decade of experience showed in how he perfectly paced our group, knew exactly when we needed encouragement, and even surprised us with hot ginger tea after tough hikes.

The Machame Route took us through stunning landscapes – from dense rainforest to the thrilling Barranco Wall scramble (which turned out to be our favorite part!). Summit night was as tough as everyone says, but having Nickson patiently coaching us every step of the way made all the difference. When we finally reached Uhuru Peak at sunrise, we were crying happy tears!

What really stood out was how the whole team went above and beyond. The porters had our tents ready before we arrived each day, and the chef prepared meals that were way better than we expected at 15,000 feet! Yes, it was challenging (those cold nights are no joke!), but every moment was worth it.

If you’re looking for a Kilimanjaro company that feels like family, choose Mnyalu Safaris. And definitely request Nickson – his expertise and positive energy will make your climb unforgettable!

6-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro