6 days Marangu Route
The classic hut trek with an acclimatisation day.
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Open daily 7:00am – 7:00pm (EAT)
Conquer Africa’s highest peak via the legendary Machame Route, featuring stunning alpine views, the Great Barranco Wall, and superior acclimatisation. Prices from $1,550 per person with expert local guides from Moshi.
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Also popularly known as the "Whisky Route", the Machame Route is the most scenic and popular trail on Mount Kilimanjaro, accounting for roughly 50% of all climbers. The 7-day variation offers superior acclimatization benefits compared to the 6-day option, adhering strictly to the golden mountaineering rule: “climb high, sleep low.”
Spanning approximately 62 km (37 miles) from gate to gate, the trail begins at Machame Gate at 1,640 meters. It rewards hikers with breathtaking panoramas, crossing deep valleys, alpine deserts, and the imposing Great Barranco Wall before your midnight push to Uhuru Peak (5,896m).
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), our representative will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi town. You will meet your lead guide for a comprehensive pre-trek briefing and gear inspection. Any missing equipment can be rented on this day.
After breakfast and registration at Machame Gate, you begin your ascent through lush tropical rainforest. Keep an eye out for inquisitive colobus monkeys, colorful local birds, and vibrant flora. Dinner and overnight stay at Machame Camp.
Leaving the forest behind, the path crosses a steep rocky ridge and ascends through heather-moorland terrain. You cross the stream onto its west bank before arriving at Shira Camp, perched on the edge of the dramatic Shira Plateau. Enjoy dinner and rest under the stars.
A crucial acclimatization day. You hike eastward up to the towering volcanic formation of Lava Tower (4,630m / 15,190 ft) for lunch. Afterward, you descend down the rocky scree slope to Barranco Camp, nestled beneath the imposing Great Barranco Wall.
The day begins with an exciting scramble up the Great Barranco Wall—a non-technical but steep rock face. Once at the top, you traverse ridges and valleys beneath the Southern Icefields before descending into the lush green Karanga Valley for lunch, dinner, and overnight.
A shorter, steadier climb takes you up to Barafu Camp, your high-altitude base camp situated on an exposed alpine ridge. You will have an early dinner and try to get as much rest as possible ahead of your midnight summit attempt.
Wake up around 11:30 PM for hot tea and biscuits. Trekking begins at midnight beneath starlight, ascending scree slopes to Stella Point (5,756m) in time for a breathtaking sunrise over the Great Rift Valley. Continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa! After celebrating, descend back to Barafu for a short rest before continuing down to Mweka Camp for your final mountain night.
On your final day, enjoy a celebratory breakfast with your mountain crew, complete with traditional songs and dances. Complete a gentle 3-hour hike through the misty lower forest to Mweka Gate, where you will receive your official summit certificates before being driven back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
The driest and clearest months are January to March and June to October. Pack layered thermal clothing, a down jacket suitable for sub-zero summit temperatures, waterproof outer layers, broken-in hiking boots, trekking poles, a headlamp, and a sleeping bag rated to at least –10°C. Walk regularly with a daypack in the weeks leading up to your trip, and maintain a steady “pole pole” (slowly, slowly) pace on the mountain. Read more on our Kilimanjaro Trekking Guide.
The 7 day itinerary offers superior acclimatisation over the 6 day version, climbing high to Lava Tower and sleeping low at Barranco, significantly boosting your summit success rate to around 85%.
Prices range from $2,100 for a solo trekker down to $1,550 per person for groups of 10 or more. See the pricing table for details.
Tents. You sleep in high-quality 4-season mountain tents set up by your porters at Machame, Shira, Barranco, Karanga, Barafu, and Mweka camps.
The route features stunning scenic diversity, crossing alpine deserts, deep valleys, and the thrilling scramble up the Great Barranco Wall.
Airport and park gate transfers, 2 nights hotel accommodation in Moshi, park entry and rescue fees, professional guides, cook, and porters, 3 daily hot meals, filtered drinking water, 18% VAT, tents, and safety equipment like portable oxygen and oximeters.
The driest and clearest months are January to March and June to October.
The classic hut trek with an acclimatisation day.
Scenic wilderness route with excellent success rates.
Send your dates and group size and we’ll confirm availability and your itinerary.
Book this tripCall +255 765 470 565