7 Days Kilimanjaro Climb: Machame Route

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Duration

7 Days

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

22 people

Languages

English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

About this tour

The Machame route, also referred to as the Whiskey route, is one of the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro and a favorite for Alaitol Safaris. Machame route has one of the highest summit success rates given the topography of the route which allows climbers to “trek high & sleep low” hence making it a more favorable route for acclimatization. This route offers some of the most spectacular scenery while on the mountain.

Highlights

Climb with confidence: Alaitol Safari has been leading treks up Kilimanjaro for more than 10 years and boasts a successful summit rate of 98 percent.
Superior, top-of-the-line camping gear and safety equipment, owned and maintained by Alaitol’s.
Quality assured: Alaitol directly employs all chefs, porters, and guides (who are all certified Wilderness First Responders).
Stay in the largest and most comfortable sleeping tents on the mountain, with private toilet facilities.
Carry only a daypack, as porters transport your luggage and equipment throughout the climb and descent.
Perfect for group and charity treks
Alaitol’s most budget-friendly option.
6 days trekking, 7 days in Tanzania
*Personal porters available to all trekkers for an additional fee*

Included/Excluded

Transfers;
Pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Transfer to the trailhead - entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park;
Pick-up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the Aiport/hotel.
Entry fees.
All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park ( conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee, and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority).
Accommodation;
One night at 4* hotel (Arusha Serena Hotel) for classic Tariff OR 5* hotel (Gran Meliá Arusha) for Premium(or alternative).One night before the expedition and one day room after ascent.You will have all for a comfortable stay - friendly staff, nice rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool).
(or alternative).One niArusha Serena Hotel) for classic Tariff OR 5* hotel (Gran Meliá Arusha) for Premium.(or alternative).One night before the expedition and one day room after ascent.You will have all for a comfortable stay - friendly staff, nice rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool).ortable stay - friendly staff, nice rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool).
Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern, comfortable 4-Season tents North Face VE-25 or Alaitol Kilimanjaro Tents).
Please note:
All accommodation is on a sharing basis (i.e. you will be sharing with your travel companion a twin/double room in the hotel and a tent during the hike. If you travel alone, we will be in a private single room/tent).
Meals;
Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike.
All meals on the hike. Our Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks. A typical diet on Kilimanjaro includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit, and vegetables; vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost.
All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and water).
Hiking and safety equipment;
4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats.
All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery).
Portable toilet.
Oxygen cylinders and oximeters.
GPS-tracking service.
Complete medical kits.
Climbing crew;
Professional guides, licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All our guides are the holder of Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certifications. All our guides have 7+years of successful mountaineering experience.
Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.)

Airline tickets.
Visa fee (100 USD for American citizen and 50 USD for all others)
Tips ( 200 - 250 USD per climber of the whole mountain crew).
Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent).
Mountaineering insurance. You need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitudes trekking up to 6000m.
Personal gear rentals.
Laundry Services.

Please Note

Climb Kilimanjaro with Alaitol:
With a successful summit rate of 98 percent (compared to the 60-70 percent average), Alaitol’s Mount Kilimanjaro expeditions give you an outstanding chance of reaching ‘the roof of Africa’. Our experienced climbing team oversees every factor that contributes to a successful climb.
Guides & porters:
Every Alaitol guide is a certified Wilderness First Responder, trained in mountain craft, natural history, and ecological awareness. Our guides are also trained in first aid and are fluent in English, and most have completed over 200 summits. A founding member of the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project and a proud Partner for Responsible Travel with the International Mountain Explorers Connection, Alaitol’s is an advocate for the welfare of our team of porters. Their hard work and dedication are what make every Alaitol’s trek possible.
Comforts on the mountain:
Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro comes easier to those who are well-rested – and Alaitol campsites are famous for their comforts. Our customised sleeping tents are the largest and most luxurious on the mountain, designed for two people with raised camp beds and tall ceiling heights. Solar-lit dining tents with comfortable tables and chairs allow you to relax out of the elements and rejuvenate during the trek. Hygienic private toilets are also exclusively available to Alaitol trekkers.
Safety on the mountain:
Alaitol’s climbs use the finest climbing and camping apparatus, safety equipment, and communications network. On every climb, we supply and carry all safety and emergency equipment, including emergency oxygen, a portable altitude chamber, a defibrillator, pulse oximeters, a stretcher, an extensive first aid kit, and three means of communication (mobile phone, two-way radio, and satellite phone).
Food & nutrition:
Another key element to conquering Kilimanjaro is to maintain proper nutrition throughout your entire trek. Every meal is designed to provide the fuel you need to reach the summit. Unlike many other companies, Alaitol provides fresh food throughout the entire trek, including abundant snacks between meals as well as unlimited, purified water. Special diets can also be accommodated.
Acclimatisation:
While most trekkers spend a total of five days on the mountain, we schedule seven days (six nights) to allow more time for premium altitude acclimatisation, contributing to Alaitol’s successful summit rate of 98 percent.
Sustainable Treks:
Alaitol leaves no trace on the mountain and takes pride in operating green campsites. Every Alaitol camp is completely portable with no fixed ground structures or plumbing, and we remove all waste and rubbish from our treks.
* Please contact us for your child quote minimum age required is 14 years old. Child discounts available.
**Machame trekkers are allowed 26 lb/person of gear vs. 33 lb/person on our other climbs

What Do I Need to Bring?

Kilimanjaro Packing List Gears
You are responsible for bringing personal gear and equipment. Below is a gear list you need to bring on your climb.
Item Quantity(ies)
Head light/ torch1 pc,
Balaclava1 pc
Sunglass1 pc
Warm Hat1 pc
Sun Hat1 Pc
Base Layer2 pcs
Top Fleece2 pcs
Warm Hat1 pc
Warm Jackect1 pc
Poncho1 pc
Long Underwear2 pcs
Ski Pant1 pc
Rain Pant1 pc
Trekking Pant1 pc
Thin Socks2 pcs
Thick Socks3 pcs
Mountain Boots1 pc
Tennis Shoe1 pc
Gators1 pair
Warm Gloves1 pair
Ski Gloves2 pairs
Duffel Bag / Rucksack1 pc
Day Pack1 pc
Scarf1 pc
Walking Poles1 pair

Itinerary

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport by our Alaitol Safaris Team and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day. Overnight at Arusha Serena Hotel Meals: Bed and Breakfast Included

Day 2: Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)

One hour’s drive from Arusha to machame gate. At the gate we Will complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot Overnight: Machame Camp (9,850') Hours trekking: 5-7 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Vegetation gets sparser as you ascend into the heath, where alien-looking giant groundsels tower over the rocky slopes. Overnight: Shira 2 Camp (12,795') Hours trekking: 4-5 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

A challenging scramble up the Barranco Wall is rewarded with breathtaking views from the top. Continue over ridges and valleys before a steep hike to camp. Overnight: Barranco Camp (13,004') Hours trekking: 6-7 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

As you near the summit, the landscape starts to resemble the surface of the moon. Keep an eye out for towering lava formations, remnants of Kili's fiery past. Overnight: Barafu Camp (15,331') Hours trekking: 2-3 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 6: Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Millennium Camp

Headlamps snaking up the mountain light your way during an overnight summit bid. Celebrate your success at Uhuru Peak (19,341') with a few quick pictures at the top before trekking much of the way back down the mountain. Overnight: Millennium Camp (12,959') Hours trekking: 8-10 ascent to summit/ 4-7 to descent to camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Complete your descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate at 5,364 feet. Our vehicles will be waiting to take you back into town for a shower and some rest before your transfer to the airport this evening. Day room: Planet Lodge Hours trekking: 4-6 Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included

Durations

(g)7-9 days

Languages

English

French

German

Italian

Spanish

Cancellation

Cancellation within 120,90,60,45 Day(s) before the date of arrival We will charge a cancellation fee of 0% if booking is cancelled 120 days or less before the event, We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% if booking is cancelled 90 days or less before the event, We will charge a cancellation fee of 75% if booking is cancelled 60 days or less before the event, We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 45 days or less before the event.% will be charged.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Kilimanjaro is accessible to beginners with no trekking experience. The key factor isn’t hiking skills but proper acclimatization, which is best achieved on a 7–8-day route. To improve your chances of reaching the summit, choose a reliable outfitter and follow your guides’ safety instructions. For insights on what to expect on your Kilimanjaro climb, read “What I wish I knew before climbing Kilimanjaro” by Georgia Fowkes, one of our past climbers.

Late December to early March and mid-June to late October are the best times for a Kilimanjaro climb. This is when the Kilimanjaro weather is nearly ideal. Although other months have rain, it doesn't mean there are constant heavy showers. Typically, rains begin in the latter half of the day. This allows trekkers a significant window of clear weather every day during the rainy season. There are also days without any rain.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is moderately challenging but achievable for the average person. With a reputable climbing operator and sufficient time for acclimatization, reaching the summit is possible for most climbers.

A Kilimanjaro trek takes you through five climatic zones, from tropical forests to Arctic conditions. Temperatures range from -15°C (5°F) at the summit at night to +20°C (68°F) at the base. The weather is unpredictable — sunshine can quickly turn to rain or wind and back again. For a safe and comfortable trek, you'll need proper clothing, footwear, sleeping bag, trekking poles, and other essentials.

A moderate fitness level is key to a comfortable and successful Kilimanjaro climb. This means you should be able to run 5 km (3 mi) without difficulty and hike 10 km (6+ mi) in a day. The best ways to train include swimming, cycling, running, and hiking.

The biggest risk on Kilimanjaro is acute mountain sickness caused by poor acclimatization. In severe cases, it can lead to cerebral or pulmonary edema, both life-threatening conditions that cause about ten deaths per year on the mountain. Fortunately, AMS is easy to prevent. Choose a seven-day or longer itinerary, stay hydrated, and walk slowly to allow proper altitude adaptation. Guide expertise is crucial — choose an operator whose Kilimanjaro guides are certified Wilderness First Responders, trained to handle emergencies and evacuations.