Compare 6-day Machame tours & realize a 73% Kilimanjaro summit guarantee when you hike this 6 day Machame route itinerary. This especially applies if you’re under 30 years of age and have no experience trekking at high altitudes.
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Difficulty:
Medium
Distance:
62km/37mi
Duration:
6 Days
Success Rate:
73%
This 6 day Machame route tour Itinerary, otherwise known as the Whiskey route, is relatively straightforward and is brazenly reflected in the route’s popularity. Though there’s very little criticism regarding this route, there’s one simple drawback: the trail welcomes a high number of trekkers during peak season. This may occasionally interfere with your hike however, there’s a simple workaround. To avoid heaps of crowds you’ll have to leave camp early in order to beat everyone to the trails.
If this is your first time climbing at high elevations (above 3,000m/9,900ft), you should know that the most effective way to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is to properly acclimatize during your hike. Long and gradual routes like the 6-day Machame route are perfect for acclimatization systems to be utilized. See, on Mt Kilimanjaro, there are 2 systems that prevent altitude sickness:
- The first method, Pole Pole (Slow-Slow in English), requires you to be on the mountain long enough for your body to acclimate to various altitudes.
- The second method, Trek-High & Sleep-Low, calls for trails to have gradual inclines in order for you to trek to high elevations and sleep at lower altitudes. This method conditions your body to anticipate elevation changes while helping you adjust during your sleep.
Unless you find yourself between the ages of 12 and 29, you should seriously consider trekking the Lemosho route’s 8-day variation. This will give you ample time to adjust to elevation changes and will make for a much better climbing experience. The 8-day Lemosho program, unlike the 6-day Machame climb, performs extremely well with hikers that are under 40 years of age.
Highlights From This Long Distance Trail
Best Time To Hike The Machame Route
Dietary Food Menus Served On Mount Kilimanjaro
All of your meals on Mt Kilimanjaro are freshly cooked by excellent chefs and served according to your dietary preference.
Meet Your Tanzanian Tour Guide
Oscar (Cheni)
Cheni is technical and has extensive knowledge of Mount Kilimanjaro. He is one of our best lead guides and is well trained to handle emergencies on the mountain.
Safety Trekking Materials & Hiking Equipment
High-Altitude Kits
Medication & Sanitary Treatments
Wraps, Splints & Wound Coverings
Tools & Supplies
Evacuation Protocols On This Walking Tour
Transportation & Meeting Points
Departure Time
10:00 AM
Kilimanjaro National Park Fees
| Kilimanjaro National Park fees | |
| Conservation Fees | $70/Per Day |
| Camping Fees | $50/Per Night |
| Rescue Fees | $20/Per Hiker |
| Guide and Porter Entrance Fees | $2/Per Supporting Crew |
| Tourism Value Added Tax (VAT) | 18% |
| Retail Value Added Tax (VAT) | 18% |
| Total | $968 |
Compare Machame Route’s 6-Day Prices
Open Group Treks
Save Costs Climbing Machame Route’s 6 Day Tour With A Mount Kilimanjaro Group. Package includes:
$2,459
Private Treks
Get Kilimanjaro Privacy & Flexibility Climbing This 6 Day Machame Private Tour. Package includes:
$2,760
Package Tours Exclude
How To Book A Package Tour
Payment Process
Paying For A Group Trek
Paying For A Private Trek
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6-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Itinerary & Elevation Gains
DAY 1 — ARRIVAL AT KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
All trekkers will have to arrange their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and apply for their own visas through the online immigration portal. Visa guidelines are also available on the official immigration website.
Note, if you’re arriving from a country subject to yellow fever, you will be required to show proof of vaccination. A 72-hour PCR test is required for entry.
A transfer will be arranged to drop off you and your luggage at the hotel to unwind from your travels. Briefing will take place in the evening, before dinner, or early morning.
Airport Pick-Up
Car Transfer
Hotel Drop-Off
HIKING FROM MACHAME GATE TO MACHAME CAMP
The drive from Moshi town to the Machame Gates is approximately 50 minutes. The short journey goes through the village of Machame. The village is located at the bottom slopes of the mountain.
After registration, you’ll leave the Machame gate and head towards a dense rain forest before arriving at the Machame camp for dinner. The Machame camp is the first camping ground on the Whiskey Route so expect a much shorter hiking duration.
Elevation: 5,380ft-9,350ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 7 mi/11 km
Habitat: East African Montane Forests
DAY 3 — HIKING FROM MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA 2 CAMP
At sunrise, you’ll leave the Machame Camp’s forest and march up a steep, rocky ridge in order to get to the Shira Plateau. At this point you will be able to see the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers.
Once at the Shira Plateau, there’ll be open moorlands and a large river gorge to cross before retiring at Shira camp for dinner.
Elevation: 9,350ft-12,500ft
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Distance: 5 mi/8 km
Habitat: Heath & East African Montane Moorlands
DAY 4 — HIKING FROM SHIRA 2 CAMP TO LAVA TOWER
You’ll continue east up a ridge, from the Shira Plateau, through the alpine desert and towards the main peak of Kibo, where the western glaciers become clearly visible. You’ll then head southeast towards the 300ft Lava Tower.
Elevation: 12,500 ft-15,190ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 4 miles/7 km
Habitat: Alpine Tundra
HIKING FROM LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP
After, you’ll descend down to an altitude of 13,000ft for dinner at Barranco Camp.
Elevation: 15,190ft-13,044ft
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Distance: 2 mi/3 km
Habitat: Alpine Tundra
DAY 5 — SCRAMBLING FROM BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP
You’ll begin the day by descending down a ravine and toward the base of the Barranco wall. As you break through, you’ll maneuver up a steep 900ft cliff and into the Karanga Valley. Here, you’ll cross a series of hills and valleys as you sharply descending down to Karanga Camp for dinner. This day is designed for proper acclimatization.
Elevation: 13,044ft-13,106ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 3 mi/5 km
Habitat: Alpine Tundra
HIKING FROM KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
After breakfast, you’ll hit the trails crossing the junction descending down to Mweka Gate before resuming up the rocky interval leading to Barafu Hut.
This is a strong indication that you’ve made it past the southern circuit. This point offers views of the summit and the mountain’s glaciers from many angles.
You’ll rest and have dinner here as you prepare for the summit day.
Elevation: 13,106ft-15,331ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 2 mi/4 km
Habitat: Alpine Tundra
DAY 6 — HIKING FROM BARAFU CAMP TO UHURU PEAK (SUMMIT)
Around midnight, you’ll begin your push toward the summit in order to arrive at sunrise. You’re required to be mentally and physically keen as this will be the most challenging section of your trek. Expect extreme wind and cold weather as you ascend in darkness for several hours.You’ll have frequent breaks along the path past Stella Point before arriving at the summit at Uhuru Peak (Africa’s rooftop).
Elevation: 15,331ft-19,341ft
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Distance: 3 mi/5 km
Habitat: Arctic
DESCENDING FROM UHURU PEAK (SUMMIT) TO MWEKA CAMP
Once you make your way to the highest point of the mountain, you’ll be guided down to Mweka Hut after having your lunch at Barafu.
Elevation: 19,34ft-10,065ft
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Distance: 7 mi/12 km
Habitat: East African Montane Forests
DAY 7 — DESCENDING FROM MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE
Your last day on the mountain will be awarded with a certificate at Mweka Gate. Once at Mweka gate, you’ll continue down Mweka village before arriving at a vehicle that will transport you back to Moshi town for dinner.
Elevation: 10,065ft-5,380ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 6 mi/10 km
Habitat: East African Montane Forests
DAY 8 — DEPARTURE TO KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/NEXT TOUR
If you have booked a Wildlife Safari or Zanzibar Beach Holiday package with us, you’ll be transferred to the next chapter of your journey. If you have not booked an additional trip with XPATS International, you’ll be transferred to the airport.
Hotel Pick-Up
Car Transfer
Next Expedition
Lodging
Overnight Stays At The Hotel Before & After Your Hike
Camping Tents At The Mountain’s Campsites
Trekking Map Of The Machame Route On Kilimanjaro
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