6-Day Kilimanjaro Hiking – Machame Route
6 Day Kilimanjaro Hiking via Machame Route is one of the most scenic and well-known trails to Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit (5,895m). Also called the “Whiskey Route,” it offers a diverse and breathtaking journey through rainforests, moorlands, alpine deserts, and glaciers, making it an unforgettable experience for adventure seekers.
This route is favored for its gradual ascent and excellent acclimatization, allowing climbers a higher success rate in reaching the summit. Hikers will pass through dense rainforests teeming with wildlife, cross the dramatic Barranco Wall, and trek across rocky alpine terrain with stunning views of Mount Meru and the Kibo Peak glaciers.
On summit night, trekkers will begin their final ascent in the early hours, reaching Uhuru Peak at sunrise, where they can enjoy panoramic views from Africa’s highest point. Though challenging, the Machame Route is one of the most rewarding and scenic paths to the top.
Ideal for both experienced hikers and determined beginners, this 6-day trek provides an incredible opportunity to test endurance, witness diverse ecosystems, and accomplish the ultimate goal of standing on the Roof of Africa. A life-changing adventure awaits those who embark on this legendary journey!
Route
Meals & Accomodations
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 10.8 km
Habitat: Montane forest
Your day starts early with breakfast, followed by a 45-minute drive from Moshi (910m) to the Machame Gate (1828m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment at the gate. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience. You will have a welcome lunch stop about halfway and will reach the Machame camp (3020m) in the late afternoon.
Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will have erected your tent on arrival. In the evening the porters will bring a small bowl of washing water to your tent and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite.
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 5.2 km
Habitat: Moorland
You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite at 3 847m. The porters will once again supply you with a small bowl of washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 10.7 km
Habitat: Semi-desert
The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4642m after about a 5 hour trek. Lunch is served at a designated area. This is definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start experiencing symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 658m to the Barranco camping area.
After reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for your dinner to be prepared.
Hiking time: 8 hours
Distance: Approximately 9.4 km
Habitat: Alpine desert
After spending a night at the great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end usually turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Mount Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you should reach Barafu Hut.
The last water stop on the route is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents.
The summit is now a further 1214m higher and you will commence with your final ascent attempt, the same night. Prepare your equipment, hiking poles and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Mweka Camp
Distance: Approximately 4.5 km ascent and 10.8 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.
You will get up around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night.
You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers the 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5739m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to get going again due to cold and fatigue.
Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life!
The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3090m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared.
Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 8.5 km
Habitat: Forest
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 4 to 6 hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. Some hikers do experience knee problems which could make the descend longer than planned.
It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. Visit the tips page for more info.
At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.
From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will be served a delicious hot lunch!!
After lunch you drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
Rates
- 650 USD Per Person
- 1150 USD Per 2 People
- 1850 USD Per 4 People.
As long your more people,it’s less amount you pay because of the group of people you’re, it’s matter how many people you are.
Note
- Please keep in mind that we may also book your flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar if necessary. You can specify your preferred lodging option. There are both luxury and mid-range lodges and tent camps available but in additional payment.
- Discounted rates are offered for children under 16 years. Let us know in your request.
- Cultures Tours free,Hotspring or waterfalls.
- You will have the gifts from Ngatunga Tours.
INCLUDED COST
What to bring on safari
- sturdy shoes (trekking shoes or solid sneakers are sufficient)
- light shoes, flipflop/sandals to wear in camp
- long trousers
- shorts and/or light trousers
- shirts, t-shirts, light blouses
- jumper
- light down jacket and/or rain jacket/windbreaker
- scarf, hat, gloves and warm jumper (May to end of August and higher altitudes like Ngorongoro)
- pyjama
- bathing suit
- sunglasses, sun hat, sun screen
- toilet bag (towels and body wash are always available in camp)
- personal medicines
- glasses, contact lenses
- headlight (especially for camping tours and because we can never find the light switches at night)
- binoculars
- camera with charger/batteries/adapter
- passport, flight tickets, credit card, etc.
- pen (to fill in immigration forms)