Plan on an affordable Kilimanjaro adventure with our 6-Day Machame Route tour. This budget-friendly expedition balances cost-effectiveness with the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Machame Route. Experience the thrill of reaching the summit without compromising on the breathtaking views, making it the ideal choice for those seeking an accessible Kilimanjaro climb.
Climb Kilimanjaro Mountain: 6-Day Machame Route Tour
Given its reputation for being a challenging ascent, the Machame path—also known as the Whisky route—is distinguished from the simpler Marangu route, which is known as the Coca-Cola way. Contrary to the Marangu Route’s moderate rise and hut accommodations, climbers on Machame trek steeper paths over greater distances while camped out in tents. On the mountain, the Machame Route ascent can be completed in no less than six days. For a better altitude acclimatisation plan, it is typically completed over seven days.
The walk starts at Machame Gate, which is situated in the mountain’s lush, productive rain forest at the southern mountain base. The climber is treated to stunning views from every angle as the route advances towards the Shira Plateau and then circles halfway around the mountain along the southern circuit. The Mweka trail is used for both the ascent and descent of the top, which is approached from the east.
Tailored for budget-conscious climbers, this expedition blends affordability with the stunning scenery of the Machame Route. Make your Kilimanjaro dream a reality in 2024 with this accessible and memorable budget tour.
Kilimanjaro 6-Day Machame Route Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Tanzania
You will be met by your guide, who will give you a briefing on your forthcoming trip and check your equipment to make sure you have all the appropriate mountain gear, when you are picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and taken to your hotel in Moshi town. On this day, the missing equipment can be rented.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 2: Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)
It takes an hour to get from Moshi to the Machame gate, where we check in with the park, meet our team of porters and begin the climb! The initial part of the course ascends gradually and travels through a stunning, heavily forested area. Since this walk is seldom used, it can become fairly overgrown in some spots and is frequently muddy and moist to the touch.
- Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
- Approx. time taken: 6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 3: Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)
Until we reach the difficult rise onto the Shira Plateau, where there are spectacular views of the mountain, our journey continues up through the forest. You can see Mt. Meru rising above the town of Arusha in the distance if you turn around and look back.
- Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi
- Approx. time taken: 5 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 4: Shira Cave (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Now that you’re on high moorland, the terrain completely alters the way the journey feels. We descend the southwest face of Kilimanjaro, skirting the Lava Tower and the last part of the Western Breach, before arriving at camp. The day was spent at a high altitude (up to 4600m), but to help your body adjust to the altitude, we adhered to the mountaineering maxim “walk high, sleep low.”
- Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
- Approx. time taken: 8 hrs
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
We begin our day by making our way down into the Great Barranco, a sizable ravine. The Great Barranco Wall, which separates us from the southeast slopes of Kibo, is then climbed steeply as we leave. It’s a lengthy and taxing climb over granite, not particularly difficult. Our final opportunity to get fresh water before the summit is in the Karanga valley, which we approach by passing beneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers. As we move through parched and bleak country towards Barafu camp, scree now makes up the terrain.
- Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi
- Approx. time taken: 8 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 6: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m)
Around midnight, we set out on a difficult ascent to the summit glaciers. We will spend 4 to 5 hours ascending scree but cover a modest distance to reach spectacular heights. The vistas are breathtaking. As the sun rises, we should be near Stella Point (5739m), on the crater rim. We are surrounded by stunning ice cliffs inside the crater, and we have breath-taking vistas of the craggy Mawenzi mountain and beyond. We must hike for an additional hour to reach the peak, Uhuru Peak (5895m). After leaving Stella Point, we start our descent by making our way back to Barafu Camp for breakfast before making our way down to Millennium Camp for a well-earned rest.
- Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi
- Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 7: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
We make a leisurely descent through the rain forest to the Mweka Gate, where we finish park formalities and earn certificates that you may display with pride! Once we return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a warm welcome shower, we are welcomed by our vehicles.
- Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi
- Approx. time taken: 6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 8: Depart Tanzania
- Meals: Breakfast Included
One of our Kilimanjaro experts will get back to you within 24 hours.
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