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Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route – 6-Day Adventure | Rift & Tide Africa

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Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route – 6-Day Adventure

Children under 15 years qualify for a 30% discount. The Machame Route, often referred to as the Whisky Route, offers a spectacular trek through diverse ecosystems, ascending steep paths that lead through lush forests before opening into the moorland zones, with views of the Shira Plateau and the Southern Icefields. This route takes climbers beneath the glaciers of the Southern Icefields and connects with the Barafu Route as it nears the summit. Although the trek is challenging, it offers an enriching experience with stunning landscapes. An extra day can be added at the Shira Plateau for acclimatization or a hike to the Shira Needles. For experienced groups, camping at Karanga River may be omitted. The descent is via the Mweka Route. The journey is fully supported by our experienced porters, with accommodation in tents. As this is a physically demanding trek, it is recommended for individuals in excellent fitness, accustomed to mountain walks.

Travel and accommodation

8 Days / 7 Nights, 1 country, Moshi to Machame Route

7 nights accommodation

Meals

Meals as per day-by-day itinerary

Safari style

Mountain Trekking FIT

Tour

Itinerary

View day-by-day trip itinerary

6 stops across the route

Trip code: AJE-040

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Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route – 6-Day Adventure safari image from Antelopes

Starting from

Price on request

Public retail pricing. Final quote confirms availability and inclusions.

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Trip overview

Safari story and highlights

Why this trip

What makes this journey stand out

Explore Shira Plateau with expertly guided FIT safari experiences

Trek one of Mount Kilimanjaro’s classic routes with acclimatization built into the programme

Travel as a flexible FIT itinerary that can be booked as designed or customized by agents

Stay in handpicked lodges, camps, hotels, or mountain camps matched to the route

FAQs

Planning questions

Answers are general public guidance. Your final itinerary, inclusions, pricing, and supplier conditions are confirmed during quotation.

Is the price shown final?

Public prices are indicative retail guidance. Availability, seasonal adjustments, rooming, and final inclusions are confirmed when the team prepares your quote.

Can this itinerary be customized?

Many scheduled routes can be adapted with lodge, timing, or extension changes depending on availability and supplier rules.

What should I send with a quote request?

Share travel dates, traveller count, rooming preferences, gateway city, and any must-see destinations or experiences so the team can respond efficiently.

How do agents access trade support?

Approved travel agents can log in for trade tools where configured. New agencies can apply through the Become an agent page.

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Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route – 6-Day Adventure

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Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport –

Transfer to Moshi Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly greeted and transferred to your accommodation in Moshi, where you will stay at Springlands Hotel or a similar establishment, including overnight bed and breakfast.

Moshi to Machame Camp

Altitude: 1,800 m to 3,010 m Hiking Time: 6 hours After breakfast, you'll begin your adventure with a 45-minute drive from Moshi to the Machame Park Gate (approximately 45 km). Following registration, you'll embark on your climb into the rainforest. The trail is often muddy and slippery, so be prepared. A packed lunch will be provided, and the evening will be spent camping at Machame Camp, where you will enjoy dinner and rest. Night temperatures can drop to freezing.

Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Altitude: 3,010 m to 3,840 m Hiking Time: 4–5 hours Today, you’ll leave Machame Camp after breakfast and ascend through the moorland zone. After a brief rest, you will continue to the Shira Plateau, where you'll enjoy spectacular views of the Western Breach and Kibo. At 3,840 meters, you will camp at Shira Camp, experiencing another cold night with temperatures dropping well below freezing.

Shira Camp to Lava Tower and Barranco Camp

Altitude: 3,840 m to 3,960 m Hiking Time: 7–8 hours Your route today takes you to the Lava Tower at 4,630 m. After a tough ascent and lunch, you'll descend by 680 meters to the Barranco Camp, offering spectacular views of the Western Breach and Barranco Wall. This day aids in acclimatization, and you will experience your first signs of altitude effects such as breathlessness and headache. The night will be spent at Barranco Camp.

Activities: Kilimanjaro acclimatization walk

Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

Altitude: 3,960 m to 4,640 m Hiking Time: 7–8 hours This section of the route takes you across rocky and exposed terrain. You'll make your way to Barafu Camp, situated on a narrow ridge. As you prepare for your summit attempt, you'll familiarize yourself with the terrain. The temperature can be freezing at night, and you will need to rest early to prepare for the final summit push.

Activities: Mountain trekking

Summit Day – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Mweka Camp

Altitude: 4,640 m to 5,895 m to 3,090 m Hiking Time: 15+ hours Your summit day begins at around 11:30 PM, with a climb through the night to Stella Point (5,685 m) on the crater rim. After a brief rest, you will continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), where you'll witness an unforgettable sunrise. After celebrating your achievement, you'll descend to Barafu for a rest before heading down to Mweka Camp for the night.

Activities: Kilimanjaro summit trek Mountain trekking

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate –

Transfer to Moshi Altitude: 3,090 m to 1,650 m Hiking Time: 4–5 hours After breakfast, you'll descend to Mweka Gate, where you’ll be transferred back to your accommodation in Moshi. A hot lunch and a refreshing shower await you at Springlands Hotel, where you can relax and reflect on your journey.

Activities: Mountain trekking

Departure from Moshi

After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure. This tour is curated by Rift & Tide Africa and offers an exceptional climbing experience for those seeking to conquer the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro through the Machame Route. The trek’s diverse terrain, breathtaking views, and experienced guides ensure a safe and memorable adventure.

Activities: Mountain trekking

Inclusions

What is included

Included

Meet-and-assist services on arrival and scheduled transfers as described in the itinerary.
Accommodation in the named properties or confirmed similar alternatives, subject to availability at booking.
Meals as indicated by the itinerary meal plan for each day.
Private or shared safari activities and game drives as described in the daily programme.
Professional English-speaking driver-guide, camp guide, mountain crew, or specialist local guide where applicable.
Park, reserve, conservation, trekking, and activity fees that are confirmed as included on the final supplier quotation.
Ground transport, scheduled light-aircraft flights, or internal connections specifically stated in the confirmed itinerary.
Bottled drinking water during safari drives and operational support from Rift & Tide Africa.
Kilimanjaro park and camping/hut fees included only as confirmed on the final quotation.
Mountain guide, assistant guides, cook, and porter team for the climb section.
Rescue registration and basic mountain safety support through the operating team where applicable.

Not included

International flights, regional flights not expressly stated as included, and airline taxes unless quoted separately.
Visa fees, passport costs, travel insurance, medical costs, vaccinations, and personal evacuation cover.
Drinks, laundry, telephone calls, spa treatments, premium activities, and other personal expenses.
Optional activities such as balloon safaris, diving, cultural visits, extra treks, or extensions unless added to the quote.
Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, camp staff, hotel staff, porters, and mountain crews.
Single-room supplements, festive supplements, child-policy supplements, or room upgrades unless stated on the final quote.
Any service not specifically listed as included, and any cost caused by flight delays, weather, park rule changes, border procedures, or force majeure.
Personal climbing equipment, sleeping bags, trekking poles, thermal layers, and mountain clothing unless hired separately.

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Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route – 6-Day Adventure

Safari story and highlights

What makes this journey stand out

Planning questions

Is the price shown final?

Can this itinerary be customized?

What should I send with a quote request?

How do agents access trade support?

Related Tours

Mara Cross Border Safari

Ready to shape this safari around your travellers?

Your journey from start to finish

Day-by-day journey

Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport –

Moshi to Machame Camp

Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Shira Camp to Lava Tower and Barranco Camp

Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

Summit Day – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Mweka Camp

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate –

Departure from Moshi

What is included

Included

Not included

Dates and availability

Visual route notes

Before you request a quote

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