Known as the “Whiskey” route, the Machame Route is the most popular path on Mount Kilimanjaro, offering stunning scenery and a challenging trek. It is best suited for adventurous hikers with some altitude or backpacking experience. The 7-day itinerary allows better acclimatization by splitting the trek from Barranco to Barafu into two days, giving climbers a shorter day before the midnight summit push. Descent is via the Mweka Route. This version is widely recommended for its balance of challenge, scenery, and summit success rate.
Moshi Town to Lemosho Gate and then back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (Google Map)
Please be ready by 8:15 AM for a prompt departure at 9:30 AM.
Approximately 10:30 AM on the last day.
Casual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat, cold weather jacket, gloves, pants, and spare clothing.
Two nights of accommodations based on Bed and Breakfast at 3 stars hotel (upgrades on request).
Can be customized upon request, to meet traveler’s needs
Trip Extensions are available on request.
Expect a popular yet scenic route with stunning views and varied landscapes, from dense rainforest to alpine desert and glaciated summit zones. The 7-day itinerary offers better acclimatization than the shorter version, improving summit success rates. Trekking is challenging, with steep ascents and daily hikes lasting 4 to 8 hours. The route includes a tough midnight summit push to Uhuru Peak (5,895m). Weather conditions range from warm to freezing, so proper layering is essential. Accommodation is in mountain tents with meals prepared by trekking crews. While facilities are basic, the sense of adventure, team spirit, and the reward of reaching the summit make it an unforgettable journey.
When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), a representative from Bundi Travel will meet you, and transfer you to a hotel in Moshi town. The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay, like nice rooms, hot water, friendly staff, a pool, and Wi-Fi. You’ll spend your first night there. If you arrive at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya instead, we’ll pick you up and bring you to Moshi by shuttle bus. In the evening, there will be a meeting with the guides to help you get ready for the climb the next day.
Note: Check-in starts at 12:00 PM.
Accommodation: Available Options
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner included
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start hiking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m).
Change in Elevation: Machame Gate (1,800 M) – Machame Camp (3,010 M)
Hiking Distance: Approximately 5 Km
Hiking Time: 5-6 Hours
Habitat: Rain-forest
After breakfast you will start hiking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp (3,845 m). On this day you will emerge from the rain-forest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Physically speaking, the trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 300 meter gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp you will be served a hot dinner.
Change in Elevation: Machame Camp (3,010 M) – Shira Camp (3,845 M)
Hiking Distance: Approximately 5 Km
Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours
Habitat: Moorland
Depart Shira Camp after breakfast and head towards Lava Tower ascending from 3,845 to 4,630 m. The rise-and-fall nature of this trek may present some difficulties. However, the 4,600 m altitude at the Lava Tower itself is crucial for proper acclimatization. The lunch break will take place here in order to give you some extra high-altitude time before descending approximately 650 m to Barranco Camp (3,960 m), which is the next overnight stop on this route.
Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! The next day you will be climbing it, but don’t worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.
Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3,900 M) – Lava Tower (4,630 M) – Barranco Camp (3,960 M)
Hiking Distance: Approximately 11 Km
Hiking Time: 6-8 Hours
Habitat: Grassland
On this day it is best to make an early start to avoid crowding on the way up Barranco Wall. Despite the Wall’s seemingly daunting height and steepness, the actual climb is rather merciful at a mere hour or so. The top provides a great photo opportunity with Kibo Peak as the backdrop.
The next part of the day is rife with ups and downs where your guides will choose the best place for individual climbers.
A lunch break at Karanga Camp shall be followed by an acclimatization climb towards Barafu with its highest point being 4,270 m. The group then drops back to Karanga Camp for the overnight.
Change in Elevation: Barranco Camp (3,960 M) – Karanga Valley Camp (4,035 M)
Hiking Distance: Approximately 5 Km
Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization climb towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp with its highest point being 4,800 m and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.
Change in Elevation: Karanga Valley Camp (4,035 M) – Barafu Camp (4,640 M)
Hiking Distance: Approximately 6 Km
Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Summiting starts around midnight from 4,635 m, ending on Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m. While the trek itself is fairly simple, rarified mountain air does pose a challenge. Therefore, a guide who will monitor their condition throughout the climb shall accompany every two climbers ensuring safety above all. Upon summiting, you shall have an opportunity to walk on the nearby glacier.
The descent to 3,820 m at Millennium Camp starts after a two-hour rest back at Barafu Camp.
Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 M) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 M) – Millennium Camp (3,820 M)
Hiking Distance: Approximately 15 Km
Hiking Time: 8-12 Hours
Habitat: Arctic
This last camp’s position being far lower at the forest line will afford you a good night’s sleep further enhanced by thoughts of having reached the top. Breakfast will be followed by the return to 1,650 m at the final point in this adventure- Mweka Gate. After a short celebration with the whole of the climb crew and arrival at our offices, you will receive your climb certificates, followed by the drive to your hotel.
Change in Elevation: Millennium Camp (3,820 M) – Mweka Gate (1,650 M)
Hiking Distance: Approximately 12 Km
Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours
Habitat: Rain-forest
Spend time at the hotel before being transferred to the airport, based on your flight schedule.
The total distance covered is is approximately 62 kilometers or 38.5 miles.
Meal Plan: Breakfast provided
Note: Standard hotel check-out time is 11:00 AM. If your flight is later in the day and you require a late check-out, you can extend your stay for an additional cost.
This marks the end of your climb!
Number of People in a Group | Cost per Person in the US($) |
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1 Person | $2,820 |
A Group of 2 People | $2,640 |
A Group of 3 People | $2,525 |
A Group of 4 People | $2,420 |
A Group of 5 People | $2,315 |
A Group of 6 People | $2,200 |
A Group of 7 People | $2,180 |
A Group of 8 People | $2,140 |
A Group of 9 People | $2,100 |
A Group of 10 People + | $2,080 |
Two Nights Hotel Accommodations |
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Before and after the Kilimanjaro hiking adventure, we recommend the following options: |
Stay two nights with breakfast or half board at Ameg Lodge, Panama Garden Resort, Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel, Shose Farmhouse and Chalets, Kaliwa Lodge, Brubru Lodge, or Salinero Hotels. |
Although Mount Kilimanjaro is accessible year-round, most climbers opt for the dry seasons—from December through March and from June to October. In fact, many believe that January, February, and September offer the most favorable conditions for an ascent.
Each day, expert camp porters set up and take down your mountain camps. You’ll sleep in durable, double-occupancy all-weather tents with full-ground pads to keep both you and your belongings dry. Every camp is equipped with private toilet tents, solar-lit dining tents complete with tables and chairs, and basins of hot water for washing.
Kilimanjaro treks typically range from five to eight days. To prioritize acclimatization and increase summit success, we generally recommend a minimum of six days. The specific duration varies by route and can be found on our ‘Kilimanjaro Trekking’ page. Custom itineraries with longer durations are also available.
The total trekking distance ranges from approximately 53 to 73 kilometers, depending on the chosen route. Extending the trek by adding extra days significantly aids acclimatization, improving your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak. For instance, while the Marangu route is often completed in five days, we extend it to six for a safer and more comfortable experience.
We are. We are not agents for anybody, but run the treks ourselves through our own registered Tanzanian local company
You will receive an exact itinerary when you send us an inquiry. In the meantime, you can read a summary of each of the treks by visiting our Routes up Kilimanjaro section. You can also find detailed day-by-day descriptions and detailed day-by-day route maps of each of the trails in the itinerary document, which you will receive for free when you book a trek through us.
Prior to the climb, you’ll enjoy an acclimatization day with wildlife viewing and nature walks. Trekking through the rain forest, you’re likely to spot black-and-white Colobus monkeys, tropical birds and more.
We are. We are not agents for anybody, but run the treks ourselves through our own registered Tanzanian local company.
The treks will be led by a local guide whom we have hand-picked because of their knowledge, expertise and experience on the mountain. We have an advantage here: because of the many years we have been working on the mountain and the number of times we have climbed it, so we are able to employ only those guides who meet our very stringent criteria. We employ only those who demonstrate excellent knowledge of the mountain, first-rate safety records, brilliant leadership skills and routinely provide wonderful care and attention towards all climbers to ensue their trek is a safe and enjoyable one.
The maximum number of people on the trek is eight. Occasionally this may stretch to nine or ten if, for example, there are already 6 people booked on the trek and a group of four want to join. On the rare occasion where this happens we will contact those already booked on the trek to see if they have any objection to the group size to grow above eight.
You will receive an exact itinerary when you send us an inquiry. In the meantime, you can read a summary of each of the treks by visiting our Routes up Kilimanjaro section. You can also find detailed day-by-day descriptions and detailed day-by-day route maps of each of the trails in the guidebook – which you will receive for free when you book a trek through us.
We aim to keep the size of the public groups to a minimum. That said, if you are a single, private group, then there is no problem accommodating you whatever the size of the group, as of course, you will be aware before arriving in Tanzania of the number of people you will be trekking with.
Follow this link to find out what’s included in the cost – and what isn’t.
Our prices are quoted in US dollars, as this is the standard currency for most of our operating costs. However, we’re happy to accept a variety of other currencies, including British pounds (GBP), euros (EUR), Canadian dollars (CAD), Australian dollars (AUD), and more. If you prefer to pay in a different currency, just let us know—we’ll be glad to assist.
We advise you to spend at least one full day in Tanzania before beginning your trek. Arriving by plane one day and then climbing the next is not the best way to begin a trek.
The minimum age limit set by Kilimanjaro National Park for children trekking to Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro is 10 years old.
You will have one lead guide and an assistant guide for 2-3 climbers.
For 4-6 climbers, you will have one lead guide and 2 assistant guides.
For 7-8 climbers, you will have one lead guide and 3 assistant guides.
For 9-10 climbers, you will have one lead guide and 4 assistant guides.
You will need a passport that is valid at least six months beyond your dates of travel with an entry or re-entry visa, duly endorsed.
There are no charging stations on Mount Kilimanjaro. We recommend bringing Power Banks and spare batteries. There are charging ports in our safari vehicles.
Yes, it is expected and much appreciated. The amount depends on the number of days, but can range from $150 and $300 per hiker. Tips are pooled and shared amongst the crew. Bring US dollar bills.
None, but previous hiking or climbing experience will help. You need to be fit and healthy and have a good pair of worn-in hiking boots. The fitter you are the more you are likely to enjoy it.
Highly-trained chefs prepare three hot nutritious meals daily, as well as trail snacks and afternoon tea each day. You’ll eat all your meals in a solar-lit dining tent with your fellow trekkers and head guide. Delicious Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free, Lactose-free, Dairy-free, Allergen-free, Diabetic-friendly, Low-carb / Keto, Low-sodium, Halal, Kosher, Jain, Seventh-day Adventist, Rastafarian (Ital), Pescatarian, Flexitarian, Locavore and other specialty meals can be provided (with advance request). We’re happy to send you a sample menu—just ask!
The number of trekking hours per day on Kilimanjaro varies depending on the route and the specific day’s itinerary. Generally, you can expect to trek for 4 to 7 hours on most days. However, summit day and descent days can be significantly longer. Specifically:
It’s important to remember that these are estimates, and the actual trekking time can be influenced by factors like your pace, weather conditions, and the specific route you choose.
Your Kilimanjaro dream climb is entirely your own to design. We will work with you to customize exactly the triumphant Tanzanian mountainous quest experience you want. You go with the people you choose. You leave on whatever day you wish. You decide on your preferred route option, pace, and the number of days you will take.