Seven Days-Machame Budget Tour

7 days—This 7-Day Machame Route budget itinerary has a considerably higher summit success rate of about 85% compared to the 6 Days Machame route tour.

$1606-2000 USD

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Safari summary

The 7-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route Budget Tour Highlights
- Highly recommended route with best success rate.
- Allows climbers to “walk high, sleep low” enabling better acclimatization.
- A challenging trek with stunning scenery over five climatic zones.
- Ascent and descent via different routes.

The 7-day variation of the Machame route is the top choice for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. While it can be completed in 6 days, the 7-day option increases the chances of reaching the summit due to an extra day for acclimatization. The stretch from Barranco to Barafu is divided into two days on this route, allowing for a day of rest before the final push to the summit. This is crucial because the summit day begins early, at midnight, and climbers often start fatigued on the mountain's toughest day. Opting for a shorter day before the climb ensures climbers are more refreshed.

The Machame route, also known as the Whisky Route is one of the most scenic and recommended routes on the mountain. it is popular among climbers that use it to get to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The route begins at the Machame Gate and ends with a descent back to the Machame Gate via the Mweka Route.
Many reputable Kilimanjaro operators, including those specializing in Mount Kilimanjaro Routes, highly recommend and utilize the 7-day Machame trek.

The prices of the 7-day Machame route Budget package, costs starting from $1,606 to $2,000 per person, this cost varies depending budget standard, group size and accommodation before or after climb.

This 7-Day Machame Route budget itinerary has a considerably higher summit success rate of about 85%. Compared to the 6 Days Machame route that has has a lower average summit success rate of about 75%.

We generally advise that the best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the warmest and driest times of year, from December to mid-March and mid-June to the end of October. However, although these are considered to be the best times to climb the mountain in terms of weather, they are also the busiest months.

The Following is the Full detailed Itinerary about 7-day Machame route Budget Tour
Day 1: Hotel to Machame Camp.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp.
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp.
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel.

Duration: 7 days
Difficulty: Medium
Scenery: Excellent
Traffic: High

About this tour

	Tour type	Set-date, set-itinerary, group
	Main focus	Hiking \| trekking
	Activity level	Strenuous activity
	Best months	January, February, June, July, August, September, October
	Countries	Tanzania
	Parks	Kilimanjaro

Fine details

Safari highlights

Walking safari—with armed guard
Hiking | trekking
Wildlife sanctuaries

What’s included?

Accommodation
All drinks
Meals
Park fees
Private vehicle and driver

What’s not included?

Alcoholic beverages
International flights
Spa treatments
Tips and gratuities
Visas

Itinerary

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Kilimanjaro

Altitude (m): 1800m to 3000m, Distance: 11km, Duration: 5-7 hours, Environment: Montane Forest. Commence your 7-day Machame Route journey with a drive to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate from your hotel. Upon reaching the park gate, complete the check-in process at the office and make final preparations for the climb. Our path takes us through the rainforest, ascending along a hill to Machame Camp, where we will set up camp for the night.

Camping

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Kilimanjaro

Altitude (m): 3000m to 3850m, Distance: 9km, Duration: 4-6 hours, Environment: Moorland. Embark on our hike after an early morning breakfast, leaving the rainforest behind. The trail leads up a steep rocky ridge covered in heath, passing a tiny valley and ascending to a higher rocky ridge also covered in heath. Moving west across a river gorge, we reach Shira Camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Camping

Day 3: Shira via Lava Tower-Baranco

Kilimanjaro

Altitude (m): 3850m to 4600m to 3950m, Distance: 12 km, Duration: 6-7 hours, Environment: Semi-desert. A crucial day for acclimatization, aiding your body's preparation for summit day. This challenging day may bring altitude effects, so we ascend to Lava Tower (4600m) for lunch, followed by a descent to Barranco Campground for the night. The camp, situated below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, offers a stunning sunset while awaiting dinner.

Camping

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga

Kilimanjaro

Altitude (m): 3950m to 3930m, Distance: 7 km, Hiking Time: 4 hours, Environment: Alpine Desert. The day begins with a short, enjoyable scramble to the summit of the Great Barranco Wall. We proceed via scree to the Karanga Valley (3930m), located beneath the icefalls of Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. Dinner and a much-needed overnight rest await at Karanga Camp.

Camping

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Kilimanjaro

Altitude (m): 3930m to 4600m, Distance: 6kms, Hiking Time: 3 hours, Environment: Alpine Desert. Leaving Karanga Camp, we reach the junction of the Mweka descending route, then ascend to Barafu Hut. The Southern Circuit is complete, offering diverse views of the summit. In camp, we relax, have dinner, and prepare for summit day, with the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo visible.

Camping

Day 6: Barafu to Summit to Mweka

Kilimanjaro

Altitude (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m), Distance: 7km ascent/23km descent, Duration: 6-8 hours ascent/6-7 hours descent, Environment: Stone scree and ice-capped summit/Alpine desert. Summit day arrives on the 6th day of the 7-day Machame Route. We wake up at 23:30 hrs for a quick tea and snacks before ascending between the Rebman and Ratzel glaciers. The challenging trek to Stella Point on the crater rim involvehard scree but rewards us with a spectacular sunrise, weather permitting.

Camping

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi

Kilimanjaro

Altitude (m): 3100m to 1800m, Distance: 8 km, Duration: 3-4 hours, Environment: Montane Forest. Return to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates, marking the end of the 7-day Machame Route trek. Lower levels may be muddy and damp, so gaiters and trekking poles are recommended. T-shirts and shorts are suitable, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.

Moshi-Kilimanjaro

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