7 Days 6 Nights Trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Duration
7 days
Group Size
1 - 7 people
Ages
2-99 yrs
Languages
English, France, German, Italiano, Español

Tour Details

Tour Overview

The Machame route, also known as the Whiskey Route, is a classic Kilimanjaro trail. It’s one of the most popular routes to climb Kilimanjaro. We at Kisangara Tours Ltd organize hundreds of expeditions annually along this trail that starts in a beautiful tropical forest. The Machame route is available in 6- and 7-day variations, with the second offering a significantly better acclimatization profile and summit success rate. Machame 7 is a great route with amazing views suitable even for beginners. You will enjoy hiking through all five climatic zones of Kilimanjaro, scale the picturesque Barranco Wall, and marvel at the alien-looking Dendrosenecio kilimanjari – truly unique plants that are not found anywhere else in the world.


Many travelers want to know what the summit success rates for different Kilimanjaro trekking routes are. At Kisangara Tours Ltd, since 2014 we have been gathering precise data based on thousands of our Kilimanjaro climbs. Here are the summit success rates for our Machame route expeditions:
Machame 6 – Crater Rim: 92.0%, Uhuru Peak: 87.3%
Machame 7 – Crater Rim: 96.1%, Uhuru Peak: 93.1%
As you can see, the Machame route 7-day itinerary has a significantly higher summit success rate than its 6-day variation. In fact, Machame 7 is among the best itineraries for this metric. On the third day, it converges with the Lemosho and Umbwe routes, continuing to the summit as one route. Overall, it’s a great choice for both beginners and experienced trekkers.
Many operators boast high success rates, but it’s hard to know whether their numbers are trustworthy. At Kisangara Tours Ltd, our impressive summit success rates are due to several key reasons. We are proud to employ the best Kilimanjaro guides, porters, and other specialists in the region. The fact that we offer the best work conditions and salaries attracts top talent. Additionally, we go above and beyond to ensure that our clients have everything they need for smooth acclimatization. For example, we have more oxygen tanks than any other Kilimanjaro tour operator and comprehensive kits with a wide variety of medications. Moreover, our guides know how to spot and address symptoms of mountain sickness and will help you if any problem arises. Two compulsory medical checks each day for clients and mountain crew make our expeditions even safer and give you the best chances of reaching the summit.

Tour Highlights

  • This is a mid-range camping tour.
  • On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 7 people per group.
  • If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
  • Single travelers can join this group tour, but it requires a minimum of 7 people to run.
  • You can request changes to this tour.
  • The minimum age for this tour is 5 years.

Activities and Transportation

  • Getting around: hiking or trekking on foot
  • A transfer from and back to the airport is included.

Itinerary

Arrival: Airport Pick Up
  • Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet an Kisangara Tours Ltd representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb. Private tour packages include shared airport transfers for your group. Extra charges will apply for additional individual transfers. To avoid extra costs, sync your group's arrival and departure times.
Day 1: Trekking From Machame Gate To Machame Camp
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's entrance: Machame Gate. After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp. The trekking route passes through the rainforest where tropical showers are highly probable, so we recommend you take not only spare clothes but also a raincoat. This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on: Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently); To help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness, consider using a preventive measure like a high-altitude aid medicine. Many mountain climbers take such pills in the morning, before they begin their ascent, to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. Our managers will provide more specific details together with your travel itinerary. We recommend consulting your doctor prior to the trip to discuss any potential allergies or health concerns. At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your breathing pattern at night, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and experience a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
  • Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Accommodation: Mid-Range camping
  • Meals & Drinks:
    • All meals included
    • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2: Trekking From Machame Camp To Shira Camp
After breakfast, you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp. On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Technically speaking, trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 400 m /1,312 f gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp, you will be served a hot dinner.
  • Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Accommodation: Mid-Range camping
  • Meals & Drinks:
    • All meals included
    • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Day 3: Trekking From Shira Camp To The Lava Tower and Descent To Barranco Camp
After breakfast, you will leave Shira Camp and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,600 m /15,088 f). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 m /15,088 f. Portions of the trek may be difficult, and it is common to experience some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1–2 hours here. For this reason, our groups enjoy lunch at the top of Lava Tower. After lunch, you will descend to Barranco Camp. Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day you will be climbing it, but don't worry: it features a very simple hiking trail is not intimidating at all.
  • Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Accommodation: Mid-Range camping
  • Meals & Drinks:
    • All meals included
    • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Day 4: Trekking From Barranco Camp To Barafu Camp
Your group will have an early start this morning, after enjoying a filling breakfast you will begin climbing Barranco Wall. Wwe recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups, which can slow you down. Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano. Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don't worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours you will have to ascend to Barafu Camp where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before the night summit.
  • Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Accommodation: Mid-Range Camping
  • Meals & Drinks:
    • All meals included
    • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Day 5: Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Millennium Camp
Your team will depart from Barafu Camp at night and begin the final summit to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m /19,336 f). Technically speaking, the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude, which makes even regular physical activity feel strenuous. Each pair of climbers will be under the care of a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor their physical and mental condition. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier, if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and enjoy a 2-hour rest before continuing your descent to Millennium Camp.
Don't forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including most broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.
  • Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Peak)
  • Accommodation: Mid-Range Camping
  • Meals & Drinks:
    • All meals included
    • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Day 6: Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate
In the morning after breakfast you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m), the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,800 m) and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting. Acclimatization hike: Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) — Kosovo Camp (4,800 m) Hiking distance: 2 km Hiking time: 1–2 hours.
  • Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Accommodation: Budget Camping
  • Meals & Drinks:
    • All meals included
    • All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Day 7: Departure
Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.
  • Main Destination: Either Moshi Town or Arusha City
  • Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
  • Meals & Drinks:
    • Breakfast and Lunch
    • Drinks Water (Other drinks not included)
End of Tour
  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • You'll be dropped off at the airport.

What's included

Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the itinerary section)
Drinking water (On all days)
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Inquiry Form
Travel Date
Duration (days)

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