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The Whiskey route: forest, Shira Plateau, Barranco Wall and Uhuru Peak in six days on the mountain
The Machame route climbs Kilimanjaro from the south-west through rainforest, heath and the Shira Plateau, then traverses under the Southern Icefields to Barafu for the summit. Its climb-high, sleep-low profile via Lava Tower gives good acclimatisation for a six-day route, and the views change every day. This is a private climb for your party: you choose the start date, and your guides set the pace for you. We include a hotel night in Moshi before and after the climb, all park fees, four-season tents, a mess tent, quality meals cooked on the mountain, and oxygen saturation checks twice a day. Six days on the mountain suits fit hikers with limited time. If you can spare one more day, the 7-day Machame climb adds an acclimatisation day at Karanga and a better chance of reaching the top.
Warm and mostly dry, clear summit mornings
Long rains: quiet trails and our lowest prices
Cool and dry, the most popular climbing months
Short rains, mostly afternoon showers
We meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive about 45 minutes to your hotel in Moshi. In the evening your lead guide runs the briefing and checks every item of gear with you, so anything missing can be hired before the climb. Machame starts at Machame Gate, about 45 minutes from Moshi.
After registration at the gate the trail climbs steadily through thick montane rainforest of fig, camphor and giant ferns. Look out for blue monkeys and colobus. Hike about 6 to 7 hours, roughly 11 km, from 1,800 m to 2,835 m.
Out of the forest onto the heather and moorland, with a steep rocky ridge before the trail opens onto the Shira Plateau and your first close view of Kibo. Hike about 5 to 6 hours, roughly 10 km, from 2,835 m to 3,850 m.
The key acclimatisation day. Climb east to the 90 m Lava Tower for lunch, then descend into the Barranco valley among giant groundsels. Hike about 6 to 7 hours, roughly 10 km, from 3,850 m to 4,630 m. You sleep at Barranco Camp (3,960 m).
Private transfer between Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport and your hotel in Arusha or Moshi, one way, for up to 4 people with luggage.
One more night in a mid-range Moshi hotel with breakfast, per person sharing. Useful before the climb to rest after a long flight.
Four-season sleeping bag, down jacket, trekking poles, gaiters, waterproof trousers and a head torch, ready at your gear check in Moshi or Arusha.
A portable flush toilet in its own tent for your group, carried and cleaned by a dedicated porter for the whole climb. Price per group.
One more night on the mountain to help your body adjust, including park fees, crew and meals. Raises your chance of reaching the summit.
Tell us your dates and party size — we'll confirm availability and send a clear quote.
Start with the Barranco Wall, a fun hands-on scramble, then cross the Karanga valley for lunch and climb the last ridge to Barafu base camp. Early dinner and rest before the summit. Hike about 7 to 8 hours, roughly 9 km, from 3,960 m to 4,673 m.
Wake around 23:00 for tea and biscuits, then climb slowly by head torch from Barafu Camp. Most climbers reach Stella Point (5,756 m) on the crater rim around sunrise, then walk 45 minutes more to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. After photos you descend to Barafu Camp for a rest and hot lunch, then continue down to Mweka Camp (3,100 m). Summit push about 6 to 8 hours, descent 5 to 6 hours, roughly 17 km in total. The longest and hardest day of the climb.
A last descent through the rainforest, watching for colobus monkeys, to Mweka Gate (1,640 m), where you sign out and collect your summit certificate. Say goodbye to the crew, then drive back to Moshi for a hot shower and a celebration dinner. Hike about 3 to 4 hours, roughly 10 km.
Breakfast, then a transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home, or onward to Arusha to start a safari or fly to Zanzibar.
Flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar, transfers, three nights in a Nungwi beach hotel on half board and Zanzibar visitor insurance. Per person sharing.