Nicknamed the "Whiskey" route because the route is popularized as somewhat difficult and more expensive than Marangu route.
On an overall comparison of the routes to scale Kilimanjaro, this is one of the best routes to take, both in terms of acclimatization and cost.
The Machame route is considered a difficult route, and is better suited for more adventurous trekkers and those with some hiking or backpacking experience.
The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. However, due to its popularity there are increased numbers of trekkers, it loses some of its splendour. The Machame route approaches the summit from the southwest and descends using the Mweka route, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco wall, and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field.
In certain sections this route is steeper than the Marangu and Rongai routes and physically more demanding but is easier overall.
Great for acclimatization with lots of walk high, sleep low opportunities.
Challenging trek with stunning scenery through 5 diverse climatic zones.
Good opportunity to split pre-summit day climb to leave climbers rested before summiting.
Very popular trail.
$1817
STARTING FROM $1817 PER PERSON IN A GROUP TREK
Itinerary
Day 0: Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive atleast one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend in having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.
Day 1: Hotel to Machame Camp
Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.
Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Monkey Adventures vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Kilimanjaro summit certificate
Sleeping Mattress
Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
All meals while on the Mountain
Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
Rescue fees (part of park fees)
Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
VAT (18% charged by the Government)
Clean, purified drinking water
Conservation fees (part of park fees)
Exclusions
Travel insurance
Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
Hotel (available as an optional addon)
Transfers (available as an optional addon)
Tanzania Visa
Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
Tips and gratuities
International and domestic flights
Payment Terms
Deposit Payment
- Deposit is 20% of the total booking amount.
- Deposit can be paid either via a bank transfer or an online card payment.
- A 5% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charges), this is non-refundable.
- We offer bank accounts in 10 different currencies for bank transfer.
- Once you make the advance payment you will receive a booking confirmation.
Balance Payment
- Balance can be paid via bank transfer, online card payment, or with cash.
- Bank payment can be done 15 days prior to the tour date (recommended 30 days prior).
- Card Payment can be done 1 day prior to the tour date (recommended 7 days prior).
- A 5% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charge), this is non-refundable.
- Cash can be paid on arrival (USD printed in or after the year 2009).
Cancellation Policy
8 days and above departure
- No cancellation fees.
0 to 7 days before departure
- 50% of the total tour price will be charged as cancellation fees.
- Trek can be postponed to any new date without any extra cost at any point in time.
- The 5% surcharge paid for either or both advance and balance payments is non-refundable in case of cancellation of the trek.
Supplements
- Solo Supplement = USD 35
Charged for solo trekkers throughout the year. - Off-season supplement = USD 105
Charged for solo trekkers looking to start a new departure in March, April, May, and November. Does not apply if you join an existing group. Does not apply if other trekkers also join your new group.
Discounts
Available discounts for Machame - 7 days
- Children between 5 years and 15 years old
Code: 5TO15 - USD 690 per person - Expatriates/Residents living in Tanzania
Code: RESTAN - USD 245 per person - East African Citizens
Code: EAC - USD 880 per person
Private Trek
Please find below the prices for organizing a private trek. The prices are based on your group size.
- Solo Trekker - USD 2016 per person
- Group of 2 - USD 1916 per person
- Group of 3 - USD 1861 per person
- Group of 4 - USD 1863 per person
- Group of 5 - USD 1821 per person
- Group of 6 - USD 1818 per person
- Group of 7 - USD 1810 per person
- Group of 8 - USD 1806 per person
- Group of 9 - USD 1799 per person
- Group of 10 and above - USD 1771 per person
Addons
Hotels
We offer the following hotel options
- Lindrin Lodge (Single Room) - USD 55 per night
- Lindrin Lodge (Double Room) - USD 70 per night
- Lindrin Lodge (Triple Room) - USD 105 per night
- Keys Hotel (Single Room) - USD 69 per night
- Keys Hotel (Double Room) - USD 94 per night
- Keys Hotel (Triple Room) - USD 122 per night
- Parkview Inn (Single Room) - USD 81 per night
- Parkview Inn (Double Room) - USD 91 per night
- Parkview Inn (Triple Room) - USD 170 per night
- Kilimanjaro Wonders (Single Room) - USD 140 per night
- Kilimanjaro Wonders (Double Room) - USD 160 per night
Please note that if any hotel is booked out or is otherwise unavailable, we will book you in an alternate equivalent hotel.
If you are booking a hotel directly, please do check with us before booking, to make sure we can meet you and pick you up from the hotel.
Gear
We offer the following add-ons to your gear (all equipment are subject to availability):
- Private Toilet - USD 150
- Private Tent - USD 5 per day
- Kailas X3 III Alpine Tent with Vestibule - USD 10 per day (Click here for specifications)
- Thicker sleeping mattress - USD 10 per mattress
- Thermarest - USD 15 per thermarest
Our packages by default include a foam sleeping mattress of 2 inch thickness, if you want a thicker alternative you can opt a 4 inch foam mattress with above mentioned extra cost.
Transfers
We offer the following transfer options
- Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) to Moshi (one way) - USD 50 per vehicle
- Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) (one way) - USD 50 per vehicle
- Arusha to Moshi (one way) - USD 100 per vehicle
- Moshi to Arusha (one way) - USD 100 per vehicle
Nicknamed the "Whiskey" route because the route is popularized as somewhat difficult and more expensive than Marangu route.
On an overall comparison of the routes to scale Kilimanjaro, this is one of the best routes to take, both in terms of acclimatization and cost.
The Machame route is considered a difficult route, and is better suited for more adventurous trekkers and those with some hiking or backpacking experience.
The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. However, due to its popularity there are increased numbers of trekkers, it loses some of its splendour. The Machame route approaches the summit from the southwest and descends using the Mweka route, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco wall, and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field.
In certain sections this route is steeper than the Marangu and Rongai routes and physically more demanding but is easier overall.
Great for acclimatization with lots of walk high, sleep low opportunities.
Challenging trek with stunning scenery through 5 diverse climatic zones.
Good opportunity to split pre-summit day climb to leave climbers rested before summiting.
Very popular trail.
$1817
STARTING FROM $1817 PER PERSON IN A GROUP TREK
We use equipment of international standards & our guides are trained in First aid & personal protection equipment
We reward our staff based on your feedback & that results in all of us working towards making your trip memorable
Our guides are trained to pay attention to each clients requirements & situation & customize the program accordingly
Once a tour is booked, its guaranteed to go, even if there is only single client for the entire trip
Book by paying advance by card on our website. Balance can be paid upon arrival, before the tour
Our minimum requirement for operation is only one client. So we can offer the tour any day of the year for you
Our Reviews
Great, reliable and safe
"From the outset of booking to the trip itself, everything was very smooth and professional. The company were very flexible with the fact that I was unsure if I wanted to do 6 or 7 days and......"
Annabel L
Read Full ReviewGreat organisation!
"The trip was very well organised, the tents, food and rental equipment were first class. But most importantly, the guides and the porters who accompanied us on our trip were simply amazing. I have......"
Nadja N
Read Full ReviewTrip of a life time!
"I couldn’t have chosen better!This whole experience was more than amazing. As a single female traveler, I was a little nervous about traveling to Tanzania by myself, going to Kilimanjaro and a......"
Isabelle shaw
Read Full ReviewINCREDIBLE!
"6 of us ladies went on the 7 day Lemosho route with guides Dennis and Nasri. Dennis’s team was INCREDIBLE! All of the porters, guides, and cooks were so accommodating, they went above and beyond......"
Breanna Rogers
Read Full ReviewExtremely pleased!
"Organising the trip prior to arrival Monkey Adventures was very professional and quick to answer any questions. The trip itself was an amazing experience I will never forget. They were very......"
Jacob Buus
Read Full ReviewAmazing and Fun Experience!
"I had the chance to reach the top of Africa via Machame with Monkey Adventures. I was amazed by the service and ths support they provided. Everything was clearly explained from the first briefing......."
Thomas
Read Full ReviewWonderful experience
"The crew was amazing, the food was great and abundant and compatible with our needs (eg. Vegetarian options). Most importantly, the guides kept on supporting and motivating our whole group of 8......"
Melissa
Read Full ReviewHighly recommended
"I booked my 8 Day hike of Mt Kilimanjaro with Monkey Adventures, summiting in October. I highly reccommend Monkey Adventures. During the booking process they responded quickly to all my questions,......"