English
French7 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Via Machame Route
Offered by - Hilltop Travel Company
Tour Features
The Machame Route, also known as the Whisky Route, is one of the most scenic and recommended routes on Kilimanjaro. This popular route winds through magnificent forests to gain a ridge, leading through the moorland zones to the Shira Plateau. It then traverses beneath the glaciated precipices of the Southern Ice Fields before joining the Barafu Route to the summit. Because it can be completed over a longer period and the incline is more manageable, it has a much higher summit success rate. Duration: 7 days Difficulty: Medium Scenery: Excellent Traffic: High
| Mid-Range tour | This mid-range tour includes comfortable lodges and tented camps. |
| Can be customized | You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour. |
| Private tour | This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others. |
| Not for solo travelers | Solo travelers cannot book this tour. |
| Can start any day | If availability permits, this tour can start on any day. |
| Minimum age required | The minimum age for this tour is 5 years. |
| Transportation | This tour uses: Bus. |
Route & Activities
Tanzania
Activities Included
Accommodation & Meals
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
| Day | Accommodation | Meals |
| 1 | Machame Camp No images available | All Meals Included |
| 2 | Shira Cave Camp No images available | All Meals Included |
| 3 | Barranco Camp No images available | All Meals Included |
| 4 | Karanga Camp No images available | All Meals Included |
| 5 | Barafu Camp No images available | All Meals Included |
| 6 | Mweka Camp No images available | All Meals Included |
| 7 | B&B Hotel No images available | All Meals Included |
Arrival (See Getting There for more details)
- A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
- Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
- Day 1 - MACHAME GATE – MACHAME CAMP10.75 km / 7 mi | 5-6 hrs | Rainforest Elevation: 1811m (5942ft) to 3021m (9911ft) Altitude gained: 1210m Departing from Moshi, a 45-minute drive will take you through the village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle as many crews prepare for their journey. Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and winding trails while your guide tells you about the local flora, fauna, and wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are highly recommended.
Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Accommodation: Machame Camp
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 2 - MACHAME CAMP – SHIRA CAMP5.3 km / 3 mi | 4-5 hrs | Moorland Elevation: 3021m (9911ft) to 3839m (12,595ft) Altitude gained: 818m After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route turns west and follows a river gorge until we arrive at Shira Camp. Temperatures begin to drop as we gain altitude.
Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Accommodation: Shira Cave Camp
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 3 - SHIRA CAMP – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP10.75 km / 6 mi | 5-6 hrs | Semi-Desert Elevation: 3839m (12,595ft) to 3986m (13,077ft) Altitude gained: 147m Although we end the day at a similar elevation to where we began, this day is crucial for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau, we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards Kibo Peak, before heading southeast towards Lava Tower, also known as the “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation: 4650m / 15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction that leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then descend to Barranco Camp for the night.
Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 4 - BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP5.2 km / 3 mi | 3-4 hrs | Alpine Desert Elevation: 3986m (13,077ft) to 4034m (13,235ft) Altitude gained: 48m After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley, where we will join the junction that connects to the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew as they zip over this wall with apparent ease. We will overnight at Karanga Camp.
Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Accommodation: Karanga Camp
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 5 - HIKE KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP3.3 km / 2 mi | 3-4 hrs | Alpine Desert Elevation: 4034m (13,235ft) to 4662m (15,295ft) Altitude gained: 628m We continue upward toward Barafu Camp. Once we reach Barafu, we will have completed the South Circuit, which offers breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. After an early dinner and some rest, we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.
Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 6 - BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT – MWEKA CAMP4.86 km / 3 mi up | 5-7 hrs | – 11.5 km / 7.2 mi down | 5-6 hrs | Glaciers, Snow-Capped Summit Elevation: 4662m (15,295ft) to 5895m (19,341ft) Altitude gained: 1233m Descent to: 3106m (10,190ft) Altitude lost: 2789m Excitement builds as we begin our summit attempt with an early start, between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, trying to stay warm and focused on the incredible sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With switchbacks, we ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. At Stella Point, you will be rewarded with a magnificent sunrise during your short rest. Faster hikers may reach the summit in time to view the sunrise at Uhuru Peak. The remaining hour of the ascent to Uhuru Peak will likely involve snow all the way. Congratulations! One step at a time, you have now reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa! After photos, celebrations, and perhaps a few tears of joy, we take a moment to appreciate this incredible achievement. We begin our steep descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles due to loose gravel and volcanic ash terrain. A well-deserved rest awaits you at Mweka Camp for your last night on the mountain
Accommodation: Mweka Camp
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 7 - MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE – MOSHI9.1 km / 6 mi | 3-4 hrs | Rainforest Elevation: 3106m (10,190ft) to 1633m (5358ft) Altitude lost: 1473m After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue our descent to the Mweka Park Gate, where you will receive your summit certificates. As the weather becomes significantly warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy, and steep, so gaiters and trekking poles are highly recommended. Once at the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long-awaited hot shower, a celebratory dinner, and well-deserved relaxation!
Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Accommodation: B&B Hotel
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
End of tour (See Getting There for more details)
- Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
- A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
Includes
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
- All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Excludes
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips: tipping guideline of $6 per person per day for the guide and crew
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
Rates Per Person
Aug 14, 2025 - Aug 14, 2027
*n/a = not available. This tour is unavailable for solo travelers.
Includes
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
- All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Excludes
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips: tipping guideline of $6 per person per day for the guide and crew
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
Getting There
Tanzania is a beautiful East African country with neighbours Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south and the Indian Ocean to the east. It is known for its vibrant culture, wonderful national parks, diverse fauna and flora and of course the great wildebeest migration. If you are planning a safari trip to Tanzania then you should find out all about flights to Tanzania, passport and visa requirements.
Tanzania’s main airport is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) located 13km/8mi southwest of Dar es Salaam. The latter is the entry point for visitors to the southern parks.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is situated 46km/29mi east of Arusha, the gateway of Tanzania’s most popular Northern safari circuit.
This tour starts in Moshi and ends in Moshi, Tanzania
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Travel Requirements
- All foreign visitors need a passport that is valid for at least six months
- Passports must have a clean and a full visa page for endorsement.
- When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
- Citizens of most countries require a visa. A list of countries that don't need a visa is available.
- Visas are best obtained in advance through an official online visa-application portal (https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/), but they can also be obtained through your local Tanzania Embassy or High Commission.
- Visas can also be obtained on arrival but this is a lengthy process that can take one to two hours.
Getting There
Tanzania is a beautiful East African country with neighbours Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south and the Indian Ocean to the east. It is known for its vibrant culture, wonderful national parks, diverse fauna and flora and of course the great wildebeest migration. If you are planning a safari trip to Tanzania then you should find out all about flights to Tanzania, passport and visa requirements.
Tanzania’s main airport is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) located 13km/8mi southwest of Dar es Salaam. The latter is the entry point for visitors to the southern parks.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is situated 46km/29mi east of Arusha, the gateway of Tanzania’s most popular Northern safari circuit.
This tour starts in Moshi and ends in Moshi, Tanzania
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Travel Requirements
- All foreign visitors need a passport that is valid for at least six months
- Passports must have a clean and a full visa page for endorsement.
- When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
- Citizens of most countries require a visa. A list of countries that don't need a visa is available.
- Visas are best obtained in advance through an official online visa-application portal (https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/), but they can also be obtained through your local Tanzania Embassy or High Commission.
- Visas can also be obtained on arrival but this is a lengthy process that can take one to two hours.
Offered By
Hilltop Travel Company
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Tanzania
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