9 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking Safaris via 7 Days Machame Route
- Best Time To Go : January – March and July - December
- Holiday Length : 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Holiday type : Trekking
Trekking Overview
7 Days Machame Route Trekking with Sana Wild Experience
The Machame Route is one of the most popular and scenic rewarding ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Often called the “Whiskey Route” due to its adventurous and demanding nature, this trail is perfect for trekkers seeking a more challenging alternative to the Marangu Route, sometimes known as the “Coca-Cola Route.” Unlike Marangu, which offers hut accommodation and a gentler gradient, the Machame Route features steeper paths, longer hiking distances, and overnight camping that brings you closer to nature.
At Sana Wild Experience, we recommend the seven-day Machame Route itinerary to allow proper altitude acclimatization and maximize summit success. Although the climb can be completed in six days, the additional day gives your body more time to adjust to the increasing elevation, making your journey safer and more enjoyable.
Your adventure begins at Machame Gate on the southern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. The first stage takes you through a lush rainforest filled with towering trees and vibrant wildlife. As you ascend, the landscape opens up to the Shira Plateau, offering expansive views and a dramatic change in scenery. The trail then follows the southern circuit of the mountain, providing breathtaking panoramic views from multiple vantage points.
The summit approach comes from the eastern side, where climbers make their final push toward Uhuru Peak under the stars, often reaching the top in time to witness an unforgettable African sunrise. The descent is via the Mweka Trail, a scenic and direct route back down through the forest.
With its diverse landscapes, excellent acclimatization profile, and stunning viewpoints, the Machame Route remains one of the best choices for trekkers looking for both challenge and beauty on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Day by Day Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 2: Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)
One hour’s drive from Moshi to Machame gate, 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 rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 3: Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)
Our route continues on 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 taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 4: 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 camp The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 5: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)
Our day starts by descending into the start 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 technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 6: Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 7: 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 be climbing 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 and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 8: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest 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 Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome hot shower.
Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 9: Depart Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*Safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.
Meals: Breakfast Included
Combine Your Trek with Tanzania Safari Tours
After conquering Kilimanjaro, extend your adventure with unforgettable Tanzania safari tours. Explore world-famous wildlife destinations such as:
We create seamless mountain-to-safari packages, giving you the ultimate Tanzania experience in one journey.
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1 Person - 3000/Person
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2 - 4 People - 2600/Person
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5 - 7 People - 2400/Person
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8 - 10 People - 2200/Person
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11 & Above - 2000/Person
Enquire This Trekking
Related Trekking Safaris
Includes and excludes
What is included in this trekking?
Items that are included in the cost of the trekking price.
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your hotel
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- Sleeping Mattress
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
What is included in this trekking?
Items that are not included in the cost of the trekking price.
Tanzania Visa
International and domestic flights
Hotel (available as an optional addon)
Transfers (available as an optional addon)
Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
Tips and gratuities
Travel insurance
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
