8 Days Machame Route Trekking

4.7 (1,127) Reviews

★★★★★ 4.7/5

Descriptions

Experience the thrill of an eight-day Mount Kilimanjaro trekking adventure along the Machame route, offering a challenging yet rewarding ascent and descent. Known as the “Whiskey Route,” this iconic trail presents breathtaking views, diverse landscapes, and unforgettable moments as you journey to the summit of Africa’s highest peak. Prepare for an unparalleled trekking experience filled with scenic beauty and exhilarating challenges, promising memories that will endure long after your descent.

Included

transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle
professional, English-speaking guide
meals according to the itinerary
Accomodation according to the itinerary
drinking water
activities and transfers as per itinerary
all national park fees
Flying Doctors insurance (AMREF) during the safari

Excluded

flights (international and domestic)
meals not indicated in the itinerary
alcoholic and soft drinks
optional activities
tips
personal expenses, visa fees, travel insurance

Itinerary

The Machame route is the most visually striking and appealing path to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro, surpassing other climbing routes in its allure. Ideal for adventurous mountain hikers seeking a more physically demanding challenge than the Marangu or Rongai routes, Machame offers a thrilling ascent amidst breathtaking scenery.

Despite its advanced level of difficulty and the physical exertion required, the Machame route remains the most popular choice among climbers, ensuring ample support and assistance throughout the journey to the summit of Kilimanjaro.

DAY1: Arrival

Upon arrival, you will be greeted at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transported to Moshi, the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. Here, at your base hotel in either Moshi or Arusha city, you will receive accommodation and comprehensive trekking briefings from your experienced mountain guide. This includes final preparations before embarking on your extraordinary journey to the summit of Africa's tallest peak.
Day 2

The trek from Machame Gate to Machame Camp spans 11 kilometers or 7 miles, with an elevation gain from 5,380 feet to 9,350 feet. This leg of the journey typically takes 5 to 7 hours to complete and is characterized by a lush rainforest habitat. Departing from Moshi, the group will travel to Machame Gate, a journey lasting less than an hour, passing through quaint Machame villages nestled on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro Mountain. Upon arrival, after completing all necessary registration and briefing procedures, we will exit the park gate and commence our trek through the dense rainforest, following winding trails until reaching our destination at Machame Camp.
Day 3

The trek from Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp covers a distance of 5 kilometers or 3 miles, with an elevation gain from 9,350 feet to 12,500 feet. This portion of the hike typically takes 4 to 6 hours and is characterized by a heath habitat. Departing from the rainforest openings, we continue our ascent along a steep, rocky ridge, gradually reaching the expansive Shira Plateau. Along the way, we traverse through heather and open moorlands, enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Crossing a substantial river gorge marks the final stretch of our journey before arriving at Shira 2 Camp.
Day 4

Trekking from Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower spans 7 kilometers or 4 miles, with an elevation gain from 12,500 feet to 15,190 feet. This leg of the journey typically takes between 4 to 5 hours to complete and is characterized by an alpine desert habitat. Beginning our trek, we head east along a ridge before veering southeast towards Lava Tower, an imposing volcanic rock formation at 300 feet. Descending from Lava Tower, we make our way to Barranco Camp through the unique and visually striking Senecio Forest, reaching an altitude of 13,000 feet. Despite starting and ending the day at the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude aids in acclimatization, preparing us for the challenges ahead.
Day 5

The trek from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp covers a distance of 5 kilometers or 3 miles, with a slight elevation gain from 13,044 feet to 13,106 feet. This leg of the journey typically takes between 4 to 5 hours to complete and is characterized by an alpine desert habitat. Our day begins with a descent into a ravine, navigating to the base of the imposing Great Barranco Wall. We then ascend the non-technical but steep cliff, ascending nearly 900 feet to reach the highest point of the Barranco Wall. From here, we traverse several hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. With one final steep climb, we reach Karanga Camp. This shorter day is designed explicitly for acclimatization, allowing us to adjust to the altitude and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Day 6

The trek from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp spans 4 kilometers or 2 miles, with an elevation gain from 13,106 feet to 15,331 feet. This portion of the hike typically takes 4 to 5 hours and is characterized by an alpine desert habitat. Setting out from Karanga, we head towards the junction connecting with the Mweka climbing Trail. Continuing our ascent, we navigate through rocky terrain until reaching Barafu Hut later in the day. Upon arrival, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, offering breathtaking views of the Kilimanjaro summit from various perspectives. We prepare for the summit after making camp and enjoying an early dinner. From Barafu camp, you'll be treated to stunning vistas of Mawenzi and Kibo, two prominent Kilimanjaro peaks, inspiring the summit ascent.
Day 7 Ascend

Trekking from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak covers a distance of 5 kilometers or 3 miles, with an elevation gain from 15,331 feet to 19,341 feet. This challenging leg of the journey typically takes 7 to 8 hours and is characterized by an arctic habitat. Beginning around midnight, we embark on a slow ascent towards Uhuru Peak, enduring extreme wind and cold at this high elevation. Climbing in darkness, we walk towards Stella Point at 18,900 feet, where we are rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we reach Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, where we savor the unparalleled experience of standing atop Africa's highest point.
Day 7 Descent

After reaching Uhuru Peak and taking in the magnificent views, we begin our descent towards Mweka Camp, covering a distance of 12 kilometers or 7 miles. Descending from 19,341 feet to 10,065 feet, this portion of the hike typically takes between 4 to 6 hours and transitions from the arctic habitat to the lush rainforest below. We pause at Barafu for a lunch break along the rocky Trail, reflecting on our triumphant achievements. As we navigate the challenging terrain, trekking poles are invaluable for stability. Arriving at Mweka Camp, nestled in the upper forest, we may encounter mist or rain in the late afternoon. After sharing a final meal on the mountain and exchanging stories of our journey, we settle in for a well-deserved rest, reflecting on the remarkable achievements of our expedition.
Day 8

Descending from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate spans 10 kilometers or 6 miles, with an elevation drop from 10,065 feet to 5,380 feet. This final leg of the journey typically takes between 3 to 4 hours to complete and is characterized by a lush rainforest habitat. Upon reaching Mweka Gate, we collect our well-deserved success certificates for summiting the mountain. The trails at this lower elevation may be wet and muddy, adding a final challenge to our trek. After departing the gate, we continue for an additional hour until we reach Mweka Village, where vehicles await to transport us back to a base hotel in Moshi, marking the conclusion of our unforgettable Kilimanjaro expedition.

TBA

From 1850$

Price per person

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What They Say

     Excellent  
     Based on 52 reviews 
    
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Lena W 
 2023-10-26
 
 
  Best driver you can get
My experience with King Solomon was great! He organized the whole trip, so that I don't had to worry about anything. With a massive and outstanding knowledge about the animals and wildness he drove me through the parks. Especially in the Serengeti he managed the impossible: He found baby cheetahs! I saw the big five (okay, rhinos a bit far away), but about thirty to forty lions, a bunch of leopards and cheetahs and of course a lot of more common animals. With all he was very flexible and able to take my wishes into the plans. I can highly recommend the tour with Tangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Also a walking safari was included and very informative and nice. If you are looking for a driver and unsure where your money is well invested: here. I can highly recommend him.
  
 
       
   Ay J 
 2023-05-12
 
 
  Best driver and Guide ever
King Solomon is the king of the Safari for sure but also the best driver ! You feel confortable being almost all day in the car. He is very good to spot the animals and he will do his best to not miss any. Everything was well organized, the food is great. In our last day in Arusha our flight was delayed and he took care of us showing us around before dropping us at the airport. I fully recommend him for any person who wants to have the best safari ever in Tanzania.
  
 
       
   mourad 
 2023-02-19
 
 
  amazing safari
salut à tous, je viens de france et je ne connaissais pas kingsalomon s'est en cherchant sur le Web que je suis tombé sur sa page , tout de suite le contenu et les commentaires nous ont facilité dans notre choix.Puis nous avons pris en contact avec salomon et le courant est bien passé, il nous a fait un prix raisonnable pour une famille de 5.Ensuite lorsque nous avons été en tanzanie nous avons eut des souci de vol , salomon et venu nous chercher malgré 5h de retard pour nous déposé à notre hôtel. Concernant le safari,ce fut magnifique nous en avons pris plein les yeux, car en plus de la visite du parc nous avions un guide qui parlais français plus simple pour les explications.De plus salomon nous a mis dans des lodges sans rien rajouter car à la base nous devions dormir dans des tentes, merci à vous salomon. Pour conclure je recommande kingsalomon pour son professionnalisme, sa générosité, son accueil et son humanisme.
  
 
       
   חן ז 
 2023-02-14
 
 
  Best safari tour guy in Tanzania
Hey, I’m Hen from Israel and I was looking a lot for a tour guy that will be good and that I can trust him. I found king Solomon after a friend’s recommendation and I booked him. I found out that he’s the best tour guy I could have asked for, he’s very nice very responsible and the most important he’s the most professional tour guy there’s, he can find everything and everywhere, never get lost and always takes care for us. I’m glad I made this decision and for sure highly recommending about him. If you are looking for the best safari experience King Solomon is the guy! Looking forward for our next experience with him!
  
 
       
   Tomer M 
 2023-02-14
 
 
  If you look for the best tour guy than he’s here…
I’ll start by saying, if you think about him, choose him! Solomon is the best driver we could have found and the best tour guy in Tanzania! He knows everything about everywhere and every animal, he will do anything to find you all the best location and rare animals, he can find animals hiding in the bushes with his bare eyes where I barely could’ve found them with the binuclear And the most important he knows every route and never get lost (which some other tour guys are getting lost sometimes). We had the best experience with him and I’m highly recommending about him, you will have the best safari experience that can be! Go King Solomon!
  
 
       
   iamkeith18 
 2023-02-04
 
 
  Such good company. Felt like we had the most knowledgeable guide
We spent 6 days with King Solomon, who was friendly and good company. It’s clear that he is well connected with the parks and other guides which meant that he often knew what had been seen recently and where. His knowledge of the parks is fantastic and he has a super-human eye for spotting things you otherwise would miss. We had a great time and found King Solomon to be really funny and knowledgable. Would definitely highly recommend.
  
 
       
   Foued BH 
 2023-01-14
 
 
  Unique experience with an unique guide
Our safari was amazing with king Solomon as a guide. he is very professional, he can find all the animals in the savannah. we loved his company!! thank you King we are a fan of you and the experience you made us live
  
 
       
   Jazlyn H 
 2023-01-02
 
 
  Amazing 5 stars
Solomon was excellent at spotting animals that weren't visible to the naked eye. He found a black and white colobus money high us in the trees and a Jaguar. Solomon is a great guide with lots of stories to tell. He is extremely knowledgeable and has had over a decade years of experience. I highly recommend booking through Solomon as his attention to detail will ensure your trip is a cut above the rest. Meals were provided on the trip in hampers every day for the 3 days that we went which was excellent. There were also facilities around the park to occasionally stop for a toilet break. Overall I will be coming back to Tanzania and booking through Solomon again. He also offers hot air balloon rides over the Serengeti which I am keen to do next time.
  
 
       
   Hanen 
 2023-01-01
 
 
  It was A wonderful experience
The best safari guide ever I recommend 100% It was a wonderful experience Thanks to king solomone, the safari was top top top
  
 
       
   Tomasz M 
 2022-03-20
 
 
  Amazing safari!
Solomon is a great, professional safari guide who knows exactly when and where to go to give you the best possible safari experience. Moreover he's a very good driver, with whom you feel safe, and a super friendly person. We had great time and we saw a lot of animals thanks to Solomon's "eagle eye" and big experience. The whole safari was very well organized, we didn't need to worry about anything from the moment when Solomon picked us up at the airport in Kilimanjaro to the moment when he left us at the Seronera Airstrip 5 days later. I enjoyed every minute of it. The hotels, which he chose for us, were amazing (one in a coffee plantation and the other one in the middle of Serengeti - wow!). The food that he provided us with was very good and more than we could eat. Overall the whole experience was awesome and worth every penny!