6 days Shira Route
Start your trek from a higher altitude on the plateau.
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Climb Africa’s highest mountain via the scenic Machame trail, renowned for its excellent acclimatisation profile. Full itinerary, prices from $1,450 per person, and local guides from Moshi.
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Also known as the Whisky Route, the Machame Route is the most popular path on Mount Kilimanjaro, offering breathtaking scenery and excellent acclimatisation because three of the campsites allow you to “climb high, sleep low”—a golden rule of mountaineering. The route spans approximately 62 km (37 miles) from gate to gate, starting at Machame Gate (1,640 meters).
Machame provides climbers with a true mountain adventure and accounts for about 50% of all Kilimanjaro visitors. It is a fully supported camping trek suited for hikers with good fitness and outdoor experience. While the 7-day variation offers an even higher success rate, our 6-day itinerary packs in all the iconic landscapes—from lush rainforests and the Shira Plateau to the dramatic Barranco Wall and alpine desert.
You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. You will meet your guide, who will brief you on your upcoming trek and check your gear to ensure you have all necessary equipment. Any missing items can be rented on this day.
The drive from Moshi takes about 30 to 45 minutes to reach the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. After registration, we walk through the winding rainforest trail. The path can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are recommended. We arrive at Machame Camp for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path across a steep rocky ridge covered with heather. The route turns west onto a river gorge leading to the magnificent Shira Plateau. Enjoy rest, dinner, and overnight at Shira campsite.
From the Shira Plateau, we head east up a ridge toward the Kibo peak junction, changing direction southeast toward the Lava Tower (Shark’s Tooth, 4,600m). After lunch at altitude, we descend down to Barranco Hut at 3,950m. This climb-high, sleep-low day is crucial for proper acclimatisation.
After breakfast, we conquer the famous, non-technical Barranco Wall before trekking through the Karanga Valley and connecting with the Mweka Trail up to Barafu Hut. Here we make camp, rest, have an early dinner, and prepare for summit night with views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
Rising around midnight (12:00 AM – 2:00 AM), we begin our grueling ascent up heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers toward Stella Point (5,681m) on the crater rim. From there, we climb the final snow-capped hour to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the roof of Africa. After celebrating, we descend past Barafu for lunch all the way down to Mweka Camp in the upper forest.
After a celebratory breakfast, we make the final descent to Mweka Park Gate to collect your official summit certificates. The trail can be wet and muddy. A vehicle will meet you at the gate to transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a well-earned rest.
The best months for climbing the Machame Route are January to March and June to October, offering stable weather and clearer views. Be sure to pack thermal layers, a waterproof outer shell, broken-in trekking boots, a down jacket, a sleeping bag rated to at least -10°C, and trekking poles. Physical preparation including regular cardiovascular training and weekend hikes will ensure you get the most out of your Kilimanjaro journey. Read more on our Kilimanjaro General Info guide.
Known as the Whisky Route, Machame offers spectacular scenery, excellent acclimatisation profiles with its climb-high sleep-low design, and accounts for about 50% of all Kilimanjaro climbers.
Prices range from $2,000 for a solo trekker down to $1,450 per person for larger groups (10+ people). See our detailed price table.
You sleep in four-season mountain tents set up by your porters at designated campsites along the trail.
Yes, it is physically demanding, especially summit night which begins around midnight. Good physical fitness and mental determination are essential.
Airport transfers, 2 nights hotel accommodation in Moshi, park entry and camping fees, professional mountain crew, 3 hot meals daily, drinking water, rescue fees, 18% VAT, portable oxygen, and emergency first-aid kit.
The driest and clearest months are January to March and June to October.
Start your trek from a higher altitude on the plateau.
The recommended 7-day version with an extra acclimatisation day.
Send your dates and group size and we’ll confirm availability and your itinerary.
Book this tripCall +255 765 470 565