7 Days
Adventure
10-20 People
Any Language
Uhuru peak stands at 5895m (19,340ft), and its name is the Swahili word for freedom. There are seven routes up Mount Kilimanjaro, which range in difficulty. Roughly half of the climbers choose the Machame Route because it offers stunning views. This is a harder climb than the Marangu route, with steeper inclines that go on for longer. Climbers also sleep in tents, rather than the huts that are found on the Marangu route.
The Machame Route, also referred to as the Whiskey route, was one of the most popular routes and crowded on Kilimanjaro.
Your 7 days machame route climbing start for driving you from Arusha or Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate it takes about 45 minutes. After paper work the journey start passing through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the Sharks Tooth (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
After breakfast we continue descending down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Bestday Safaris vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel.
Experience Africa’s highest peak with guided climbs, breathtaking views, and rewarding challenges that inspire adventure, resilience, and lifelong memories.
Before taking on Kilimanjaro, knowing the details makes all the difference. Our FAQs cover routes, weather, and preparation, guiding you toward a safer, smoother, and unforgettable climb up Africa’s tallest mountain.
The length of the Machame Route on Kilimanjaro is around 62 kilometres (39 miles). The route approaches the Kilimanjaro Mountain from the southwestern side. You’ll begin climbing from the Machame Gate.
The route passes through various types of landscapes, ranging from rainforests to moorlands. Then, the climber will approach the alpine deserts and finally reach the arctic summit of Uhuru Peak.
It takes around 6 to 7 days to complete Climbing Kilimanjaro when you choose the Machame Route. Yes, you can complete the climb in 6 days, but some itineraries extend their climb to an additional day. This allows for better acclimatization (the body’s natural way to adapt to high altitude).
BestDay Safaris offers Kilimanjaro Climbs via both 6-day and 7-day routes. For more details on preparation for the climb, refer to our Kilimanjaro Travel Guides.
The Machame Route is moderately to very demanding. The Barranco Wall is one of the most complex parts of the climb.
Climbers need to be in good physical shape and possess a great deal of mental strength to navigate this area. The varied terrain, unpredictable Kilimanjaro Weather, and reduced oxygen levels as you ascend to higher elevations are all factors that make things more challenging.
If something goes wrong, our trained guides and support personnel at BestDay Safaris will do all they can to make sure you are safe. They carry first aid equipment and provide basic medical assistance if needed. If necessary, they will follow the Kilimanjaro Rescue methods to safely evacuate climbers.
Guests Remember UsWhen someone says a trip changed them, we listen. Many guests have written about moments that stayed long after they left, wildlife, culture, and friendships. Their voices give you a glimpse of the Tanzania we’re proud to show.
I can’t thank best day safari enough for the incredible journey they planned for us.Climbing Kilimanjaro was a dream come true & the guides and the support team made us feel safe.
Bestday Safaris designed this fantastic safari to meet our needs. There were eight of us, two families of friends, split between two jeeps with the fantastic guides Tuma and Emanuel.
These were days we will never forget. The organization by Bestdays Safari was flawless in every way.Yuna is a truly special person – she fulfilled every single request of mine.
Whether you are ready for Tanzania Safari Dream or Kilimanjaro Adventure or Beach Relaxation for a few days or a few weeks long, our experts will create an itinerary from scratch, fully tailored to your wishes. Want to visit a beautiful destination or start an adventure to reach the top, or relax in a paradise, we will make it happen.
