Kilimanjaro Machame Route 6 Days
Explore Tours
Tour overview
The Kilimanjaro Machame Route 6 Days Nicknamed the “Whiskey Route” due to its higher difficulty level compared to the Marangu route, the Kilimanjaro Machame Route 6 Days is a thrilling climb suited for more adventurous trekkers with prior trekking or backpacking experience. Known for its breathtaking scenery, this route is ideal for climbers seeking a challenging experience with rewarding views and diverse landscapes.
The Kilimanjaro Machame Route 6 Days climbs Mount Kilimanjaro from the southwest, offering diverse and stunning views of the Shira Plateau, the Lava Tower, the iconic Barranco Wall, and Kilimanjaro’s southern ice sheet. Due to its increasing popularity, this route has seen more trekkers, slightly diminishing its once pristine experience. Nevertheless, it remains a highly sought-after path for climbers.
The Kilimanjaro Machame Route 6 Days route is physically demanding, with sections that are steeper than the Marangu and Rongai routes, but overall it’s easier and provides excellent opportunities for acclimatization with its walk-high, sleep-low strategy. The challenging trek takes you through five distinct climatic zones, each offering a unique experience, from lush rainforests to alpine desert.
With multiple acclimatization opportunities and a split pre-summit day, this route gives climbers a chance to rest before making the final push to the summit. Due to its popularity and stunning scenery, The Kilimanjaro Machame Route 6 Days is one of the top choices for those looking for a memorable adventure on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Tour Highlights
Departure and Return Place: Moshi Town to Machame Gate and then back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (Google Map)
Departure Time: Please be ready by 8:15 AM for a prompt departure at 9:30 AM.
Return Time: Approximately 10:30 AM on the last day.
Dress Code: Casual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat, cold weather jacket, gloves, pants, and spare clothing.
Accommodation: Two nights of accommodations based on Bed and Breakfast at 3 stars hotel (upgrades on request).
Customizations: Can be customized upon request, to meet traveller’s needs
Extensions: Trip Extensions are available on request.
Trip Availability: All year round.
Included/Exclude
- Two-way private airport transfers
- All park fees collected by the National Park
- Hotel accommodations before and after the expedition
- Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro
- All meals on the hike
- All group camping equipment
- Oxygen cylinders and oximeters
- Complete Expedition medical kits
- Kilimanjaro licensed professional guides
- Hiking dedicated support crews
- Government taxes
- Crew salaries
- Medical evacuations with AMREF Flying doctors
- Purified water while on the mountain
- Portable tented private flush toilet
- Personal Climbing gears
- Tanzania Visa on arrival
- Mountaineering Insurance
- Tips and Gratuities
- Personal Expenses
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be picked up in Moshi and driven to Machame Village. Here, you’ll have the chance to purchase mineral water and receive a packed lunch for the trek ahead. From the village, you’ll continue by vehicle to Machame Gate. However, if the road conditions are unfavorable, the final 3 km will be completed on foot, taking about 1 hour.
Once you’ve registered at the gate office, the adventure begins! You’ll start your ascent and enter the lush rainforest. The dense canopy provides ample shelter, but there's always a strong chance of rain, turning the trail into a muddy, slippery experience.
A welcome lunch will be served about halfway through the trek, giving you a chance to refuel before continuing onward. In the late afternoon, you’ll arrive at the Machame Camp where your porters (who arrive well ahead of you) will have your tent set up, ready for your arrival.
As the evening sets in, your team will boil drinking and washing water, and your chef will prepare a hearty dinner. Afterward, you can retire to your tent for the night. Be prepared for temperatures that can drop to freezing at this campsite.
- Hiking time: 7 hours
- Distance: Approximately 18 kilometers
- Habitat: Montane forest
After an early breakfast at Machame Camp, you’ll begin your ascent with a 1-hour climb through the forest, eventually reaching the edge of the rainforest. From here, the trail becomes gentler, and you’ll continue for about 2 hours through the moorland zone. The landscape gradually shifts as you make your way higher, offering spectacular views of the surrounding terrain.
After a short lunch and rest break, you’ll continue your trek up a rocky ridge, eventually arriving at the stunning Shira Plateau. As you walk, you’ll be rewarded with views of the Western Breach and its breathtaking glaciers. You’ll now be situated to the west of Kibo and after a short hike, you’ll arrive at your destination for the day, the Shira Camp, at an altitude of 3840m.
Your porters will have your tent set up, and will also boil drinking and washing water. Enjoy a warm dinner prepared by your chef before heading to bed. Expect colder temperatures at this exposed campsite, with the mercury dropping below freezing as the night sets in.
- Hiking time: 6hrs
- Distance: Approximately 9 kms
- Habitat: Moorland
Today’s route takes you eastward into the semi-desert and rocky landscape, leading you towards the famous Lava Tower. The hike takes about 5 hours, and you’ll reach an altitude of 4630m. Along the way, you’ll be traversing volcanic terrain, offering unique views and challenges.
Lunch will be served at a designated area before you begin the ascent up a rocky scree path towards Lava Tower itself. This is typically the most physically demanding day of the trek so far. As you climb higher, some trekkers may start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches, which are common at higher altitudes.
After lunch at Lava Tower, you’ll begin your descent, dropping almost 680m to the Barranco Camp at 3960m. This descent allows for valuable acclimatization, and it’s an important step in ensuring your body adjusts to the high altitude.
The descent to Barranco Camp takes around 2 hours, and along the way, you’ll have fantastic opportunities to take stunning photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. Barranco Camp is located in a picturesque valley, beneath the towering Great Barranco Wall, offering an unforgettable view of the mountain. As the sun sets, enjoy the breathtaking scenery while preparing for your dinner at the camp.
- Hiking time: 7hrs
- Distance: Approximately 15 kms
- Habitat: Semi-desert
After a night at Barranco Camp, you’ll rise early to tackle the imposing Great Barranco Wall, a highlight of the climb that looks intimidating at first but is often easier to navigate than expected. Once you conquer the wall, you’ll find yourself just below the Heim Glacier, and the beauty of Kilimanjaro will truly shine through.
From here, the route descends into the Karanga Valley, passing through ridges and valleys, before joining the Mweka Route, the preferred descent path after summiting. Take note of this route, as you’ll follow it down after your successful summit! Turning left up the ridge, you’ll make your way to Barafu Hut, which lies on a narrow, exposed ridge with no water available. The Karanga Valley serves as the last water stop before Barafu, so make sure to carry enough for the remaining ascent.
Barafu Hut is known for its inhospitable conditions. With gales constantly sweeping through, the campsite is set on a rocky, narrow ridge. Ensure you’re familiar with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit now lies 1345m higher, and you’ll make your final ascent during the night.
At Barafu, prepare for your summit attempt by getting your gear ready. This includes ensuring your headlamp and camera batteries are fresh and packing a thermal flask with water to prevent it from freezing. Dress in thermal clothing and ensure your equipment is secure for the summit journey ahead.
Afterward, try to rest as much as possible by going to bed early around 19:00 to conserve energy for the night’s climb.
- Hiking time: 7hrs
- Distance: Approximately 13 kms
- Habitat: Alpine desert
Around 23:30, you’ll be woken for a warm drink of tea and biscuits before setting off into the night for your summit attempt. Heading in a north-westerly direction, you’ll climb through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This section is one of the most mentally and physically challenging parts of the route, with 6 hours of ascent to Stella Point (5685m).
Once you reach Stella Point, take a brief rest and enjoy what will likely be one of the most magnificent sunrises you’ll ever see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you’ll continue for about 2 hours through snow-covered terrain to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). The amount of time spent at the summit will depend on the weather conditions, but it’s important not to stay too long to avoid exhaustion from cold and fatigue.
Revel in the accomplishment of reaching the highest point in Africa—a moment you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Afterward, begin your descent, which takes about 3 hours back to Barafu Hut. Upon arrival, enjoy a brief rest and collect the rest of your gear. The route to Barafu is not difficult, and you’ll descend on a rocky scree path into the moors before entering the forest.
The camp will be situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain is expected in the late afternoon. Dinner will be served, and the porters will prepare washing water for you to freshen up.
- Hiking time: 8h to reach Uhuru Peak, 7 – 8h to descend to Mweka
- Distance: Approximately 7 kms ascent – 23 kms descent
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
After a well-deserved breakfast, your team will celebrate your achievement with a lively celebration full of dancing and singing. This is also the time to present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chefs, and porters who supported you throughout the trek.
After the celebration, you will begin your 3-hour descent back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign in to receive their completion certificates. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) will receive a green certificate, while those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) will earn the prestigious gold certificate.
Once you’ve received your certificates, you’ll continue your descent into Mweka Village, which takes about 1 hour (3 kilometers). From there, a vehicle will drive you back to your hotel in Moshi, where you can relax and celebrate the completion of your Kilimanjaro trek.
- Hiking time: 3hrs
- Distance: Approximately 15 kms
- Habitat: Forest
Related Tours
Booking Tour
