Trek
Kilimanjaro — Machame Route, 7 Days
The Whiskey Route, with the extra day that makes the difference.
Machame is the most popular way up Kilimanjaro for good reason: it is scenically the best of the southern routes and its profile lets you climb high and sleep low almost every day. We run it in seven days, not six — the extra night at Karanga is the clearest single improvement you can make to your chances at Uhuru Peak.
Highlights
- Summit Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the roof of Africa
- The Barranco Wall, the best scrambling on the mountain
- Five climate zones, from rainforest to arctic summit
- An extra acclimatisation night at Karanga Camp
- Shira Plateau sunsets above the cloud
The itinerary, day by day
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01
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Registration at the gate, then a steady climb through dripping rainforest — colobus monkeys, tree ferns and mud. Camp sits just above the treeline.
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02
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Out of the forest and up a steep rocky ridge onto the Shira Plateau, an old caldera floor. First full view of Kibo, and the first cold night.
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03
Shira to Lava Tower, down to Barranco
The classic acclimatisation day: up to Lava Tower at 4,630 m for lunch, then back down 700 m to Barranco. You end the day barely higher than you started, which is exactly the point.
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04
Barranco to Karanga
Straight up the Barranco Wall — hands on rock, no ropes, and the most enjoyable hour of the climb — then across a series of valleys to Karanga.
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05
Karanga to Barafu
A short, deliberately slow day across alpine desert to base camp. Early dinner, kit sorted, in bed by seven.
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06
Summit day — Uhuru Peak, then down to Mweka
Up at around 23:30 for the long haul to Stella Point on the crater rim, then the last hour along it to Uhuru Peak for sunrise. Down to Barafu for a rest and a meal, then on to Mweka Camp.
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07
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Back into the rainforest and down to the gate. Certificates, and a transfer to your hotel and the best shower of your life.
What is included
- Park fees, camping fees and rescue fees
- Mountain guides, cook and porters
- All meals on the mountain, tents and mess tent
- Pulse oximeter checks twice daily
- Return transfers from Moshi or Arusha
Not included
- International flights and visa
- Hotel before and after the climb
- Sleeping bag and personal gear (rental available)
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Travel insurance covering trekking to 6,000 m
Questions about this trip
Why not the six-day version?
Because the extra night measurably improves summit success, and the cost difference is small next to the cost of not reaching the top.
How fit do I need to be?
Fit enough to walk six hours a day for a week. Train on hills, carrying a daypack, in the boots you will climb in.