Kilimanjaro 7-day Trek via Machame route (with 2 nights in hotel)
Hop on this 7-day hiking tour to get to the summit of Kilimanjaro through the Machame route with one of our certified local mountain guides.
Group
East African Mountains
7 Days
All year
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Get to the top of Kilimanjaro via the scenic Machame route.
- Explore the amazing wildlife of the area and see colobus monkeys on the way.
- Reach the 'top of Africa' in a comfortable 7-day time frame.
Description
If you wish to see dramatic landscapes as you get to the top of Kilimanjaro, join us on this 7-day journey via the Machame route to reach the summit.
Also known as the Whiskey route, Machame tests your physical fitness and mental strength. You’ll walk through a lush rain-forest and moorland and appreciate all the ferns and ericas on the way until you reach the mountain top. You’ll also get to explore the amazing wildlife of the area and it will not be uncommon to see colobus monkeys and other animals frolicking in their natural home.
We’ll begin the journey to Kilimanjaro, driving from Arusha to the Machame Gate. From there, walking through a gorgeous rain forest, we’ll head towards the Shira Plateau. Then, we’ll begin to ascend.
The journey includes 2 nights in a hotel and the for rest of the days, we’ll be staying in various camps. The camps are surrounded by towering peaks and offer stunning views of the stars above.
As we’ll proceed towards the top, the rainforest will change into moorland. Passing by the Lava Tower, we’ll spend the next few days at the Barranco Camp and the Karanga Camp until we reach Barafu. The trek to the summit will begin from Bafafu.
Crossing Stella Point (5,730m) on the way, we’ll reach Uhuru Peak in around 7-8 hours to see stunning views. It sure will be an incredible experience to stand on the roof of Africa!
We will then make our descent along the Mweka Route to end the trip.
As the Machame Route is a bit challenging, it is necessary for you to be in excellent shape and have prior mountaineering experience before signing up.
So, if you are up for the challenge, we’ll be glad to guide you on this amazing 7-day adventure to the top of Kilimanjaro. Send a request to book your seats.
We can also get to the top via the Lemosho Route, on this another 7-day trip.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Transportation start and back
- Permit and entrance fees
- Porters
- Tents
- Sleeping pad
- Clean drinkable water
Price details
- International flights;
- Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
- Personal gear rentals;
- Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb);
- Portable toilets (if required 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3-4 people);
- Mountaineering insurance. You'll need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers highaltitude trekking up to 6000 m.
Itinerary
Day 0: Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha
We’ll pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport transfer you to Tulia Hotel and Spa or a similar hotel in Arusha. You’ll spend the day relaxing in the hotel and exploring Arusha.
In the late afternoon, you will meet one of our team members, and get a brief about the upcoming trek.
Included: Bed and Breakfast
Day 1: Arusha to Machame Gate (1,790m) to Machame Camp (3,010m)
After breakfast, we’ll head towards the Kilimanjaro National park gate-Machame. After registration, the adventure begins. Hiking through the lush rainforest of ferns and endemic flowers, you’ll continue towards Machame camp. You might also spot black and white colobus monkeys, peeking through the leaves. Reaching the campsite you will have time to relax, stretch your legs and enjoy a hearty meal, before snuggling into your tent for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Machame Camp (3,010m) to Shira Camp (3,845m)
Starting early, we’ll begin our journey to Shira Camp.
As you’ll ascend, you’ll notice the dramatic change in the landscape – from lush and green rainforest to heathland.
Once you arrive at the camp, you’ll see stunning views of the glaciers of Kibo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Shira Camp (3,845m) to Lava Tower Hut (4,640m) – Barranco Camp (3,960m)
Acclimatization is on today’s menu!
You will climb roughly 800 m, but sleep on a level not much higher than the previous night. Starting at Shira Plateau, you will make your way up to Lava Tower. From there, you’ll continue to the beautiful Barranco Camp. The trek will take approximately 6 to 7 hours, taking you through the stunning Barranco valley of lobelia plants and giant senecios.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,960m) to Karanga Camp (4,035m)
Today you’ll capture the Barranco Wall
Tackling various ascents and descents, walking along the ridge you’ll finally get to Karanga Camp. Your trek will take between 3 to 4 hours, leaving more than enough time to rest and play a game of rummy. Evening meal and overnight at Karanga Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Karanga Camp (4,035m) to Barafu Camp (4,640m)
Today, you’ll set out towards Barafu Camp. Most of the day will be spent walking through very dry desertic terrain, with spectacular views of Kibo.
After 3 to 4 hours, you’ll reach Barafu Camp, where you will have an early dinner and take rest to prepare for the summit hike.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,640m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp (3,080m)
Starting early at around midnight, you’ll begin on your final ascent. The moon and your headlamps will be your only source of light as you make your way up to Stella Point (5,730m), reaching the crater rim in about 5 to 7 hours.
Another 1 to 2 hours will take you to Uhuru Peak, where you can enjoy the sun rising over the African landscape. After capturing the incredible view, you will start your descent along the same route back to Barafu Camp, from where you’ll head to Mweka Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,080m) to Mweka Gate (1,630m) – Arusha
After breakfast and a traditional farewell ceremony, you’ll again traverse rainforest to get to the Mweka gate.
From here, we’ll take you back to Tulia Hotel and Spa or similar, ending the trip.
Bed and Breakfast included
About the guide
Kiliholidays
5.0
(9)
Tour Operator
Mack was born and raised in Arusha, northern Tanzania, within a warm and close-knit Maasai family. He is the eighth of twelve children and has dedicated much of his career to guiding tours across East Africa.
Although Mack pursued studies in Information Communication Technology and specialized in Procurement and Supply Management, he feels most at home in the African wilderness. His passion lies in Travel and Tourism Management, and as he gained experience, he was inspired to create his own Adventure and Wildlife expeditions, bringing a personal touch to each journey. Driven by a deep love for nature and conservation, Mack has shaped his safaris into unique, high-quality experiences.
Mack’s talent for coordinating and organizing group tours ensures a hassle-free, seamless experience, allowing his clients to fully immerse themselves in the adventure of a lifetime.
Languages
French | English
What people are saying about Kiliholidays
Kalys
My friend and I recently trekked to Mt. Kilimanjaro with Kiliholidays. We had a wonderful time!!! Our guides Paroko and Baracka were AMAZING! They were so friendly, patient, encouraging, and helpful! We loved talking to them and learning more about Tanzania! The rest of our team, the porters and cook, were just as friendly and warm. Everything we had discussed in our e-mails with Mack prior to the trek were executed as advertised! My only recommendation is you might want to bring a warm blanket as it can get very cold and the sleeping bags they provide are not the most warm. As with all tours, especially something as serious as going on a week-long climb, make sure to discuss all the fine details of the trip beforehand to ensure you know precisely what is included and what will cost extra, such as oxygen, sleeping bags, walking poles, etc. We made sure to ask these questions and Mack was excellent with communicating with us. Loved his transparency and honesty. For the price and service provided, I would definitely recommend booking with Kiliholidays!!!
We (couple, 29 years old) had a great experience with our Team and the Rest of the group at the machame Route. The Team really took a lot efforts to make us happy, more than we expected at a Mountain Tour. Keep on :)
Communications were smooth and planning with this company made me no troubles. The hiking itself was also hustle-free, guides were proffesional, chef was cooking tasty, porters did their work properly. So our way to summit was easy-going (and succesful too). Reccomended
I am so glad we booked with Kiliholidays! Mack, the owner of the tour company, was excellent in communicating with me via email! He was quick to respond to all of my questions and concerns. We booked two tours: Mt. Kilimanjaro 6-day Marangu route and also a 3 night/4 day safari. Both were amazing and unforgettable experiences! For Mt. Kilimanjaro tour: what can I say, we LOVED our guides Paroko and Baracka!!! They were so friendly, encouraging, helpful and wonderful to talk to! Our porters and cook were also fantastic! Perhaps bring an extra blanket to keep you warm during the cold nights as the sleeping bags they provided could have been better, but other than that, we had a great time! For our safari, we went to Tarangire, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater. Each park was beautiful and our guide, Thomas, was excellent! He was able to find so many animals for us. It was crazy how sharp his eye was! We saw the big 4 on the first day thanks to him! We stayed at Farm of Dreams Lodge andTukaone Camp. WOW!!! Loved both!!! Loved the comfort of a wonderful hotel at Farm of Dreams Lodge and the awesome experience of “glamping” at Tukaone!!! Very glad we booked with Kiliholidays! Very transparent, trustworthy company that delievered what they promised in our discussions!
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