The 7 days Machame Route itinerary is specifically designed to give you enough time to acclimatize and summit safely, giving you an upper hand over the 6-day Machame Route variant. The Machame route which goes by the popular nickname, the “Whiskey” route, is probably the most popular route used to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Machame’s advantage and strong point is the fact that the trail’s environment offers unmatched scenic beauty.
This route, however, is a big favourite for those seeking adventure as it is more challenging and steep compared to the other routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, and accommodation is in tents pitched by our able porters along the Machame Route, in designated campsites. Since the Machame Route is shorter, it is suitable for climbers who need a few days of climbing and those who do not have enough time on their hands otherwise the longer the route, the higher the summit success rate.
It takes around forty-five minutes to drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. Throughout the journey, you will travel past the village of Machame, which is situated on the lower slopes of the mountain.
Itinerary and Route map for Machame 7-day Kilimanjaro trek
The Machame Route on Kilimanjaro is a classic and scenic trail, offering diverse landscapes, challenging climbs, and breathtaking views. Planning a 7-day trek requires meticulous preparation to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you conquer the “Roof of Africa”:
7-Day Machame Route Itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrive in Moshi or Arusha, meet your guide, and finalize logistics.
Drive to Machame Gate and start the trek through the rainforest, reaching Machame Camp (3,010m) for overnight. - Day 2: Hike through the montane forest and heather zone, enjoying stunning views, and reach Shira Camp (3,845m) for overnight.
- Day 3: Continue traversing the Shira Plateau, passing the iconic Lava Tower (4,630m), and reach Barranco Camp (3,960m) for overnight.
- Day 4: Tackle the challenging Barranco Wall and descend to Karanga Camp (4,035m) for overnight.
- Day 5: Take a shorter hike to Barafu Camp (4,640m) for pre-summit rest and acclimatization.
- Day 6: Summit Day! Early morning start for the push to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. Celebrate your triumph and descend to Mweka Camp (3,080m) for overnight.
- Day 7: Descend through the rainforest to Mweka Gate and drive back to Moshi or Arusha, forever changed by your Kilimanjaro conquest!
Below is the map illustrating the route and resting points along the 7-day trek using the Machame Route. As shown on the map, you will begin trekking from the Machame Gate and finish the climb by descending via the Mweka Route before exiting using the Mweka gate.
Machame Route Location and descending route
So where is the Machame Route on Mount Kilimanjaro? This popular route begins from the Southern side of the mountain with the Machame gate serving as the main starting point. To reach the Machame gate, you will need to drive from Moshi Town, a journey that takes less than an hour. Descent is made using a different route, Mweka Route that takes you down the mountain to the Mweka gate.
Machame Route trail
The trail hikers traverse the rainforest zone of Mount Kilimanjaro towards the ever-beautiful and flat terrain of the Shira Plateau. Shira Plateau is where many routes leading to the summit meet up before taking different directions. Then the route takes another turn heading eastwards crossing below the Southern icefield of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Machame to Uhuru Peak Summit
From the Southern Ice Field which is located on Kilimanjaro’s Southern Circuit, the Machame trail makes its way to the main summit, Uhuru Peak from Barafu.
Machame route can be offered in two options, the shorter 6-day Machame route package and the 7 Days itinerary which we strongly recommend as it adds an extra day for acclimatization. The shorter variation package skips the Karanga camp, combining the fourth and fifth days from Barranco Camp straight to Barafu Camp. From where summiting begins.
How difficult is the 7 Days Machame route package?
Though the Machame Route is considered difficult, this 7 days Machame Route itinerary will make it easier for you due to the extra time for acclimatization as compared to the shorter 6 Days Machame itinerary that excludes the extra acclimatization day.
Normally trekking days on Machame Route feature 6-8 hours of trekking, gaining around 900m to 1000m of altitude per day or 1,100m to 1,200m on exceptional days. Since the route is shorter and steeper, it is more difficult compared to other routes that are more gradual and longer, giving you more time to acclimatize..
Bear in mind that the Machame route is not the most difficult route on Mount Kilimanjaro, in fact, it is one of the most frequented routes up the mountain, all you need is great fitness levels, and confidence to hike for many days over difficult terrain and weather conditions. Having previous hiking experience is an added advantage plus having mental and physical preparedness.
What is the success rate of the 7 Days Machame route?
The 7 days Machame route itinerary has a fairly good success rate of about 85% because it uses the climb high, sleep low rule for acclimatization and also due to the fact that the route uses many up and down hikes facilitating even more and better acclimatization.
How to trek the Seven day Machame Route
- Make sure you wear well-fitting, comfortable hiking boots to avoid blisters.
- Drink as much water as possible, 4-5 liters a day if possible, or even more. Staying hydrated at all times reduces the symptoms of altitude sickness.
- Training and fitness play a crucial role in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame route.
- Make sure you have everything you need in your day pack and gear list. Let us know in advance if anything is missing so that we can sort it out before you embark on your climbing adventure.
- Take it slow, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is not a race, it is a marathon.
With the assistance of our knowledgeable guides, you will be able to traverse breathtaking landscapes, ranging from luscious rainforests to snow-capped summits, and you will be able to challenge yourself to reach the peak.
Our schedule for the Machame route has been meticulously crafted to provide you with the most possible chance of success, while also providing you sufficient time to adjust to the higher altitude. The Machame Gate will serve as the starting point for the ascent, and you will make your way through a variety of natural zones, such as the alpine desert, grassland, and rainforest. Along the route, you will come across a variety of exceptional flora and animals, including enormous lobelias and birds of prey.
In the summit push, which is the most exciting part of the ascent, you will begin your hike around midnight with the goal of reaching Uhuru Peak before daybreak. Although the last ascent is difficult, the views from the peak are spectacular, and the feeling of success that one experiences is unparalleled.
In order to assist you in accomplishing your objective, our knowledgeable guides will be by your side at every stage, offering support and encouragement every step of the way. In addition, we will handle all of the logistics, which includes transportation, lodging, and meals, so that you may concentrate on climbing.
As a token of appreciation for your accomplishment, you will be presented with a summit certificate after the ascent is complete. When you get back to your house, you will have stories and memories that will be with you for the rest of your life.
Where will you stay along this route?
Climbing using the 7-day Machame Route itinerary is the ultimate Kilimanjaro camping experience as accommodation is exclusively in Tents that will be set up by our Tranquil Kilimanjaro porters on designated campsites along the 7-day Machame trail. Day 1 begins with an overnight at Machame Camp then followed by stays in Shira 2 Camp, Lava Tower Camp, Barranco Camp, and Karanga Camp before summiting via Barafu Camp before returning to Mweka Camp and finally descending through the Mweka Gate along the Mweka Route. Obviously the day before your climb we will book you into a hotel room and if need be, which is a matter of personal preference, even after you descend the mountain, we will book you into a nice hotel/lodge to relax before catching your flight back home or continuing on a safari or Zanzibar beach combo or addon.
How much will this 7-day Machame trek cost?
The prices for this 7-day Machame route trip will cost at a price starting from $1,985 for a group of 6 people to $2,775 for a single person. These costs include all taxes and requirements as indicated in the “price” tab under the items included and excluded section.
As for the meals on this trek, rest assured that our chef has expertise in preparing delicious and serving energy-giving foods while on the mountain. Also, be sure to indicate if you have any dietary restrictions that you would like us to be aware of.
7-day Machame route itinerary overview
- Duration: From the starting point, Machame gate to the main summit, Uhuru Peak using the Machame route takes a duration of either 6 days or 7 days, the 6 days variation skips one-night accommodation at the Karanga Camp.
- Location: The Machame route’s starting point begins from the southern part of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is a mere 49 minutes away from Moshi Town driving.
- Difficulty rating: Challenging
- Height: The Machame route meets the Uhuru Peak summit at an altitude of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet)
- Trail conditions: During your journey to the summit, you will travel through a variety of vegetation zones,, dense vegetation, rocky terrains, and scree-filled, loose gravel paths sometimes. The Machame Route offers amazing vistas and is very scenic.
- Climbing requirements: There are no technical climbing requirements on this route
Machame Route Location and descending route
