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Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro-Machame Route 7-Day Trekking

7 Days 📍Mount Kilimanjaro 👤Private, 2-7 people
From $2,230 USD per person*

Overview

Machame route is known as the “Whiskey Route", it begins at Machame Gate, located in the southern part of Mount Kilimanjaro, within its green, abundant rainforest. We climb to the Shira Plateau, then traverse the mountain beneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Icefield, before summiting from Barafu Huts. Machame 7-day route is recommended, especially for novice climbers, because it provides an additional acclimatization day and shortens some of the daily hikes.
Like every itinerary Millennia Safaris runs, this one is a starting point rather than a fixed package — tell us your dates and what matters most to you, and we'll adjust the route, pace and accommodation level to fit.
Route this trip's real destinations, in order
Mount KilimanjaroDestination
Tour Features
🏘
Tailor-madeAccommodation level and pace adjusted to you.
Can be customizedRequest changes to this itinerary any time before booking.
👥
Private tourOrganized for you and your group only.
📅
Can start any daySubject to availability.
🚗
Private vehicleYour own 4x4 safari jeep and driver-guide.
Start / EndMount Kilimanjaro to Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation & Meals
AccommodationConfirmed together with you — see the Rates tab for general comfort levels we work with.
MealsFull board on safari days; meals as specified for any city/beach nights, per your final itinerary.
Next: Day by Day →

Day by Day (8 days)

Day 0

ARRIVE IN TANZANIA.

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), we will use our private transfer Millennia Safaris from the Airport to Arusha Green Mountain Hotel. We will gather in the evening for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check. We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.

Dinner and overnight at Arusha Green Mountain Hotel: Bed, dinner, and Breakfast-included.

⛰ On-mountain night — camping (or huts on the Marangu route). Every climber stays the same way each night; there's no accommodation to choose on the mountain itself.
Day 1

MACHAME GATE TO MACHAME HUT (FULL BOARD)

After completing the necessary registration formalities at Machame National Parkgate, we begin to trek through a beautiful and lush forest. We have a picnic lunch en route. We camp at Machame Camp (9,800 ft). [5-6 hours walking]

⛰ On-mountain night — camping (or huts on the Marangu route). Every climber stays the same way each night; there's no accommodation to choose on the mountain itself.
Day 2

MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP (FULL BOARD)

We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily through rocky hills with wide views of the Shira Plateau (11,000 ft). From our camp near Shira Hut (12,600 ft), we take in the unforgettable views of Mt. Meru as she floats among the clouds. [4-5 hours walking]

⛰ On-mountain night — camping (or huts on the Marangu route). Every climber stays the same way each night; there's no accommodation to choose on the mountain itself.
Day 3

SHIRA CAMP TO BARRANCO VALLEY (FULL BOARD)

A morning of sustained ascent and panoramic views brings us to lunch near Lava Tower (14,900 ft). The trail then descends to the bottom of the Barranco Valley (12,800 ft), where we stay in the spectacular Barranco Camp sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. [7-9 hours walking]

⛰ On-mountain night — camping (or huts on the Marangu route). Every climber stays the same way each night; there's no accommodation to choose on the mountain itself.
Day 4

BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP (FULL BOARD)

A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga Camp (13,100 ft), the last water point on the approach to the summit. [5-7 hours walking]

⛰ On-mountain night — camping (or huts on the Marangu route). Every climber stays the same way each night; there's no accommodation to choose on the mountain itself.
Day 5

KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP (FULL BOARD)

We follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach Barafu Hut (14,800 ft) for lunch. There is a short acclimatization hike to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley (15,700 ft). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the early morning final ascent. [3-5 hours walking]

⛰ On-mountain night — camping (or huts on the Marangu route). Every climber stays the same way each night; there's no accommodation to choose on the mountain itself.
Day 6

BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA CAMP (FULL BOARD)

We start our ascent by torchlight about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (18,800 ft), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshments, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite, Millennium Camp (12,500 ft). [11-15 hours walking]

⛰ On-mountain night — camping (or huts on the Marangu route). Every climber stays the same way each night; there's no accommodation to choose on the mountain itself.
Day 7

MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE TO ARUSHA (HALF BOARD)

A sustained descent on a well-constructed path takes us through a lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Mweka (5,400 ft); and on through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village, where we are transferred to our lodging in Arusha. [4-6 hours walking]

Dinner and overnight at Arusha Green Mountain Hotel: Bed, dinner, and Breakfast-included.
DEPARTING DAY
After saying bye to our team of guides then you need a private departure transfer which is included from Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight unless you have an option to have a short safari or any other option we will discuss.

✈ Departure day — no accommodation booked for tonight.
Next: Rates →

Rates Per Person

Important to know: exact pricing depends on your travel dates, group size and accommodation level. The figure below is a starting estimate, not a fixed quote — international flights, visas, tips and personal expenses are never included.
FROM
$2,230 USD
per person, based on Private, 2-7 people

See "Accommodation & Meals" on the Overview tab for the general comfort levels available — send us your dates and group size for an exact quote.

Next: Inclusions →

Inclusions

Included

  • Private vehicle with your own driver-guide
  • Park entry and conservation fees
  • Accommodation as specified in your itinerary
  • Meals as specified per day (full board on safari days)
  • Airport pickup and drop-off

Excluded

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
Next: Getting There →

Getting There

📍

Tour Start & End

This trip starts in Mount Kilimanjaro and ends in Mount Kilimanjaro.

Airport Information

Kilimanjaro International Airport and Mwanza Airport are the most common arrival points, depending on your route.

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Transfer Information

Airport pickup and all transfers between destinations are included and arranged by our team.

🛌

Accommodation Before/After

Need a night in Mwanza or Arusha before or after this trip? We can arrange that on request.

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