8-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame Route: Summit Uhuru Peak

Machame Route climbs Kilimanjaro through five distinct ecosystems to Africa's highest summit.

An 8-day trek up Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route, also called the Whiskey Route, with professional guides, tented camps, and meals at each stop. You hike through rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert, sleep at gradually higher elevations to acclimatize, and summit Uhuru Peak before descending to Mweka Gate. The route converges with Lemosho and Umbwe trails at Barranco Camp on day four.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and briefing in Arusha

• Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport
• Meet guide and drive to hotel
• Attend trek briefing and check pack list

Day 2: Trek from Machame Gate to Machame Camp

• Pickup from hotel at 08:00
• Drive to Machame Gate
• Hike through rainforest to Machame Camp

Day 3: Trek from Machame Camp to Shira Camp

• Breakfast at Machame Camp
• Hike ascending ridge to Shira Plateau
• Cross river gorge to Shira Camp

Day 4: Trek to Lava Tower and Barranco Camp

• Breakfast at Shira Camp
• Hike to Lava Tower volcanic rock
• Descend through Senecio Forest to Barranco Camp

Day 5: Trek from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

• Breakfast at Barranco Camp
• Descend ravine to Barranco Wall base
• Climb Barranco Wall and cross hills
• Descend to Karanga Camp

Day 6: Trek from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• Breakfast at Karanga Camp
• Hike to junction with Mweka Trail
• Continue to Barafu Camp and rest

Day 7: Summit attempt and descent to Mweka Camp

• Wake at midnight and start summit hike
• Ascend to Stella Point for sunrise
• Reach Uhuru Peak summit
• Descend to Barafu for lunch
• Continue descent to Mweka Camp

Day 8: Descent to Mweka Gate and return to Arusha

• Descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
• Collect summit certificates
• Drive back to hotel in Arusha

The experience

The Machame Route is the second most popular path up Kilimanjaro and ranks among the most scenic. You start at Machame Gate, a 60-minute drive from Arusha, and walk through dense rainforest on a winding trail that climbs 3,970 ft on the first day to Machame Camp. The route then opens into heather and moorland as you cross the Shira Plateau, passing through a large river gorge before reaching Shira Camp. On day four, you climb to Lava Tower, a 300 ft volcanic rock formation, then descend through the strange, beautiful Senecio Forest to Barranco Camp, where the Machame Route meets the Lemosho and Umbwe trails. This descent-and-camp strategy, though you end the day at the same elevation you started, is deliberate: the time spent higher up aids acclimatization.

Days five and six push you higher into the alpine desert. You climb the Great Barranco Wall, a steep nearly 900 ft cliff that is non-technical but demands effort, then cross a series of hills and valleys to Karanga Camp. The next day you reach Barafu Camp at 15,331 ft, where the Southern Circuit is complete and views of both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks frame the final push. On summit day, you wake around midnight and climb in darkness for several hours, taking frequent short breaks. Near Stella Point at 18,900 ft, sunrise breaks over Mawenzi Peak. Then you reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the African continent. The descent is long (12 km down to Mweka Camp through rocky terrain), and the final morning walk to Mweka Gate takes you back through rainforest, often wet and muddy at lower elevations.

You sleep in tented camps every night on the mountain and stay at Kibo Palace Hotel in Arusha before the trek and again after summit. Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park lead the way, supported by a dedicated crew. Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are provided throughout, and a complete medical kit travels with the group. You receive a certificate documenting your summit conquest at Mweka Gate.

What’s included

• Private transportation and airport pickup and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
• all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) throughout the trek.
• tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro plus two nights at Kibo Palace Hotel in Arusha.
• professional licensed guides and dedicated support crew.
• all park fees and taxes.
• complete medical kits.
• a certificate documenting your summit conquest.
• and all group equipment.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 90 years) · Youth (11 to 15 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 44

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Kilimanjaro Bucketlist Expedition

Is this one for you?Eight days allows the full Machame Route with proper acclimatization stops and the summit push, but demands sustained physical effort: daily hikes of 4-7 hours and the midnight summit climb require high cardiovascular fitness and mountain experience. If you have limited time or prefer a less strenuous trek, shorter routes exist. If you want more time on the mountain, 10-day variants add extra acclimatization days.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

44 verified traveler reviews

5 ★44

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 15 years); Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What is the Machame Route and why is it called the Whiskey Route?

The Machame Route is the second most popular path up Kilimanjaro and is known as the Whiskey Route. It offers a wide variety of views, landscapes and experiences as it climbs through rainforest, moorland, semi-desert and alpine terrain, making it one of the most beautiful routes on the mountain.

How does the trek handle acclimatization?

Camps are favorably located along the Machame Route for gradual acclimatization. On day four, you climb to Lava Tower at 15,190 ft then descend to Barranco Camp at 13,044 ft: ending the day at a lower elevation than you started, which gives your body time to adjust to the altitude despite the higher peak you reached.

What happens on summit day?

You wake around midnight at Barafu Camp and climb in darkness for several hours with frequent short breaks. Near Stella Point at 18,900 ft, sunrise comes over Mawenzi Peak. You then reach Uhuru Peak at 19,341 ft, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and Africa. The descent to Mweka Camp covers 12 km and takes 4-6 hours through rocky terrain.

Where do you sleep during the trek?

You sleep in tented camps every night on the mountain, with overnight stays at Kibo Palace Hotel in Arusha before the trek begins and after you return from the summit. All tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro is included.

What guides the trek and what support is provided?

Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park lead the trek in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language of your choice. A dedicated support crew accompanies the group, and a complete medical kit travels with you at all times.