# Machame route, 7 days > The "Whiskey route". A steep start through the rainforest, across the Shira Plateau, then the southern circuit under the glaciers to Stella Point and Uhuru Peak. Guided by Joseph (Joseph Lazaro Kamil). Licensed mountain-climbing guide, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzania. Licence no. 039257, valid until 31 Dec 2026. Canonical page: https://guide-joseph.com/routes/machame/ Last updated: 2026-10-16 ## Key facts - Duration: 7 days, 6 nights on the mountain - Total distance: about 63 km (sum of daily distances) - Highest point: Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m - Summit via: Stella Point - Side of the mountain: South-west - Start: Machame Gate. Finish: Mweka Gate - Drive to the start: About 45 minutes from Moshi - Sleeping: Tents - Price: $1,900 per person (USD). Prices can change for larger groups. Message me for your final price. - Other lengths: 6 days, $1,750 (https://guide-joseph.com/routes/machame/6-days/) ## 6 or 7 days? The 6-day version climbs from Barranco all the way to Barafu in one long 6–8 hour day, and summit night starts only a few hours later. The 7-day version adds a night at Karanga Camp, which splits that day in two and gives your body more time to adjust. More days give you a better chance of reaching the summit. In the end it is your choice, but if you are at all concerned, or not a very fit or experienced hiker, I recommend the 7 days. Recommended by Joseph for first-time climbers: it gives time to acclimatise and has a higher summit success rate. ## What the price includes - Park fees - All meals on the mountain - Crew wages - Sleeping tents - Sleeping mattress - Dining tent with table and chairs - Transport from your hotel to the gate and back Not included: Tips for your crew, travel insurance, gear (you can rent it from me), hotel nights before and after the climb, and any transport other than to and from the start and finish gates, such as airport transfers. ## Day by day ### Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp The drive from Moshi to Machame Gate takes about 45 minutes, through Machame village on the lower slopes of the mountain. From the gate we walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down the trail can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea. - Altitude: 1,830 to 2,835 m (6,000 to 9,300 ft) - Distance: 11 km / 7 mi - Hiking time: 5–6 hours - Habitat: Montane forest - Meals: Lunch, dinner ### Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp We leave the glades of the rainforest on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route then turns west onto a river gorge and up to Shira Camp. - Altitude: 2,835 to 3,850 m (9,300 to 12,600 ft) - Distance: 5 km / 3 mi - Hiking time: 4–5 hours - Habitat: Moorland - Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner ### Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp From the Shira Plateau we head east up a ridge, past the junction towards Kibo, then south-east to the Lava Tower, the "Shark's Tooth" (4,650 m). Shortly after the tower we pass the turn-off to the Arrow Glacier and descend to Barranco Camp. You end the day at about the same altitude you started, but climbing high and sleeping low is very important for acclimatisation. It prepares your body for summit day. - Altitude: 3,850 to 4,000 m (12,600 to 13,000 ft) - High point: 4,650 m - Distance: 10 km / 6 mi - Hiking time: 5–6 hours - Habitat: Semi-desert - Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner ### Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp We climb the steep Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction with the Mweka Trail. A short day that gives your body more time to adjust. - Altitude: 4,000 to 4,050 m (13,000 to 13,250 ft) - High point: 4,250 m - Distance: 5 km / 3 mi - Hiking time: 3–4 hours - Habitat: Alpine desert - Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner ### Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp We continue up to Barafu Camp, completing the South Circuit with views of the summit from many angles. We make camp, rest, have dinner and prepare for summit night. - Altitude: 4,050 to 4,673 m (13,250 to 15,330 ft) - Distance: 4 km / 2 mi - Hiking time: 3–4 hours - Habitat: Alpine desert - Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner ### Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp (summit day) We set off between midnight and 2 am, climbing between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the hardest part of the trek, mentally and physically. At Stella Point we rest and are rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may see it from the summit. From Stella Point it is about an hour, often on snow, to Uhuru Peak: the highest point on Kilimanjaro and in Africa. Then we descend straight down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Gaiters and poles help on the loose gravel. We spend our last evening on the mountain at Mweka Camp. - Altitude: 4,673 to 5,895 to 3,090 m (15,330 to 19,340 to 10,150 ft) - Distance: 5 km up, 13 km down - Hiking time: 5–7 h up, 5–6 h down - Habitat: Scree and ice-capped summit - Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner ### Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to your hotel We descend to Mweka Gate, where you receive your summit certificate. Lower down it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and poles help. Shorts and a T-shirt are usually enough, but keep rain gear and a warm layer handy. A vehicle waits at the gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi, about 60 minutes. - Altitude: 3,090 to 1,640 m (10,150 to 5,380 ft) - Distance: 10 km / 6 mi - Hiking time: 3–4 hours - Habitat: Forest - Meals: Breakfast ## Book Message Joseph on WhatsApp: +255 745 044 958.