7 Days Machame Route Kilimanjaro Trek (Camping Adventure)
Your Safari Experience
The Machame Route, known as the “Whiskey Route,” ranks among the most popular and scenic Kilimanjaro climbs. Trekkers favor it for its varied landscapes, stunning campsites, and effective acclimatisation profile using the climb high, sleep low approach.
This 7-day Machame itinerary includes an extra night on the mountain compared to the 6-day version, allowing a more gradual ascent and better altitude adaptation for greater comfort and summit success.
Trip Highlights
Trek through rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and glaciers
Excellent acclimatisation with the Lava Tower day
Conquer the summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895m)
Fully supported trek with guides, porters, cook, and camping equipment
Daily monitoring for safety and altitude adaptation
Safari Highlight
Day 1: Arusha / Moshi – Lemosho Gate (2,100m) – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m)
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your lodge in Arusha and transferred to Machame Gate for registration. Once the paperwork is complete, your trek begins through lush rainforest with giant trees, ferns, mosses, and hanging lichens. With luck, you may spot black-and-white colobus monkeys in the treetops.
After 5 to 6 hours of hiking, you will reach Machame Camp, located just above the forest line, where you will enjoy dinner and overnight in tents.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Machame Camp (Camping)
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,650m) – Shira 1 Camp (3,610m)
Today, the trail steepens as you exit the rainforest and enter the heath and moorland zone. Panoramic views open across the mountains and valleys, giving your first clear look at Kilimanjaro’s imposing slopes.
After 4 to 6 hours of hiking, you arrive at Shira Camp, located on the Shira Plateau with breathtaking views toward Kibo Peak.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Shira Camp (Camping)
Day 3: Shira 1 Camp (3,610m) – Shira 2 Camp (3,850m)
This is an important acclimatisation day that follows the best strategy: climb high, sleep low. You will trek gradually upward to Lava Tower (4,640m), where you stop for rest and lunch.
Afterwards, you descend into the scenic Barranco Valley, famous for giant senecios, lobelias, and dramatic landscapes. After 6 to 7 hours, you reach Barranco Camp, one of the most beautiful campsites on Kilimanjaro.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Barranco Camp (Camping)
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp (3,850m) – Lava Tower (4,630m) – Barranco Camp (3,976m)
After breakfast, you climb the famous Barranco Wall. It looks challenging, but is safe and enjoyable with your guides’ support. From the top, you enjoy fantastic views of Kibo Peak and the southern glaciers.
After the wall, you continue along a rolling trail of ridges and valleys before arriving at Karanga Camp. This shorter day supports acclimatisation and allows extra rest before heading to base camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Karanga Camp (Camping)
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3,976m) – Karanga Camp (4,035m)
Today you hike to Barafu Camp, the base camp for summit night. The landscape becomes more rugged and alpine as you gain altitude, with views across the mountain slopes and down toward the plains.
You arrive in the afternoon, enjoy an early dinner, and rest while your guides prepare you for the midnight summit attempt.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Barafu Camp (Camping)
Day 6: Karanga Camp (4,035m) – Barafu Camp (4,673m)
Summit day begins around midnight with hot tea and a light snack. You hike steadily in the dark toward Stella Point (5,730m) on the crater rim. From there, it is another 1 to 2 hours along the ridge to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the Roof of Africa.
After celebrating at the summit and enjoying sunrise views, you descend back to Barafu Camp for a warm meal and a short rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight. This is a long day, but sleeping at Mweka helps your body recover after the summit.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Mweka Camp (Camping)
Day 7: Barafu Camp (4,673m) – Stella Point (5,739m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Gate (1,640m) – Transfer to Hotel (Moshi/Arusha)
After breakfast, you begin the final descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, which takes about 2 to 4 hours depending on pace and trail conditions. At the gate, you complete park formalities and receive your climbing certificate.
Your driver waits to transfer you back to Arusha, where you can relax at your lodge, enjoy a shower, and celebrate your achievement.
Meals: Breakfast
Drop-off: Arusha / Hotel
Included in the price
- All Kilimanjaro National Park fees
- Camping fees and rescue fees
Professional mountain guide(s) - Full support team: porters and cook
- Quality mountain tents (sleeping and dining tent)
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Treated drinking water throughout the trek
- Transfers from Arusha to the gate and from the gate to Arusha
- Emergency oxygen cylinder and first aid kit
- Daily health checks, including pulse oximeter monitoring
Included in the price
- International and domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Tips for guides, porters, and cooks
- Personal trekking gear (hiking boots, jacket, poles, sleeping bag, etc.)
- Alcoholic drinks and personal snacks
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry)