6-Day Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Through Machame Route

6-Day Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Through Machame Route

The 6-Day Machame Route is one of the most scenic and popular trekking routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m), Africa’s highest peak. Also known as the “Whiskey Route,” it offers breathtaking landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and a gradual acclimatization profile, making it a great choice for adventurous hikers.

Tanzania is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on your interests, budget, and what you want to experience.
High Season (June to October & December to February):
This is the prime time for wildlife viewing, with dry conditions making it easier to spot animals around waterholes. The weather is pleasant, and parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro are at their most vibrant. However, it is also the busiest time, with higher rates and more visitors.
Mid-Season (March & November):
A great balance between affordability and adventure, this season offers fewer crowds and moderate prices. While rains may occasionally occur, they bring lush scenery and great opportunities for wildlife spotting in a quieter, more relaxed setting.
Low Season (April & May):
For budget travelers, this is the perfect time to visit. Hotel rates are at their lowest, and the parks are wonderfully tranquil. Though some rains may limit access to certain areas, the landscapes are beautifully green, and wildlife remains active, offering a unique and peaceful safari experience.
No matter when you visit, Pyana Travel & Tours ensures that your safari is tailored to provide incredible experiences, from sunrise game drives to the breathtaking beauty of Tanzania’s wild landscapes.

A safari with Pyana Travel & Tours means experiencing Tanzania like never before. Our safaris are private, tailored to your pace, and guided by expert English-speaking professionals who know the ins and outs of the wild. From the moment you step into your comfortable private safari vehicle, you will embark on a journey to witness wildlife in their natural habitats, from lions prowling in the Serengeti to elephants roaming freely in Tarangire National Park.
With us, you will experience exceptional service, exclusive access to Tanzania’s hidden gems, and unforgettable moments. Whether you want to start your day with a sunrise game drive or relax by your lodge, we ensure that every aspect of your trip is memorable.

At Pyana Travel & Tours, we believe that every traveler deserves a unique experience. That’s why we offer personalized itineraries based on your interests, whether it’s exploring the vast Serengeti plains, relaxing on Zanzibar’s pristine beaches, or witnessing the Big Five up close. We take the time to understand your preferences and tailor your journey to match.
Our team works closely with you from start to finish, ensuring that your trip reflects your personal desires and schedule. Whether it’s adjusting the timing of your game drives or including a cultural excursion, we make sure every detail is designed around you.

Absolutely! Tanzania is one of the best places in the world to see the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo. These magnificent creatures can be found in some of the most iconic locations like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. With our expert guides, you will have the best chance to encounter them in their natural environment.

Yes, Tanzania is a safe and welcoming destination for travelers. The country is known for its friendly locals, vibrant culture, and rich wildlife. We always prioritize your safety during the trip, and our experienced guides ensure that you travel with peace of mind.
We recommend that you take the usual travel precautions, such as keeping an eye on your belongings and following local guidelines. But overall, Tanzania is one of the safest destinations for tourists, offering a remarkable adventure that you will cherish for years to come.

6-Day Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Through Machame Route

Trip Details

6 Days

Group Size

15 People

Trip Type

Safari

Included & Excluded

To help you plan your trip, here’s a detailed breakdown of what is typically included and excluded in travel Destination to Phuket.

Your dream trip, your price

Our experts will work with you to find the best option for your stay. They are truly the best at making your trip exactly as you dream it, specially tailored to your unique travel experience.

To find your perfect match, Pyana Travel &Tours offers various options for your stay, depending on your personal preferences and budget.

Our price indication page provides an overview of different seasons: low, mid, and high, as well as different types of accommodations: silver, gold, and platinum. The price of your stay will partly depend on whether you are seeking luxury and comfort or are more focused on adventure and nature. Anyway, we always have something to offer!

We cannot wait to help you creating your next dream trip in Tanzania.

Our driver will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the hotel. The next day, after the briefing and breakfast, proceed on a 45-minute drive from Moshi (910 m) to Machame village (1,490 m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment. Depending on the condition of the road, it is possible to drive from the village to Machame gate, but if not, the muddy 3 km walk will take about 1 hour to complete.

After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rainforest. You will receive a lunch pack at the gate and you can also drink the bottled water you bought at Springlands Hotel in Moshi. There is a possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy, and slippery experience. In the evening, the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at Machame campsite.

Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation: Budget camping - On Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Get up early and after breakfast at Machame Camp, climb an hour or so to the top of the forest. Continue for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira Plateau. By now, you will be able to see the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers in an easterly direction. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike, you will reach the Shira campsite at 3,840 m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will be even colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing point.

Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation: Budget camping - On Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Today, the route will turn east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower. You reach an altitude of 4,630 m after about a 5-hour walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4,630 m). This is definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally at this point where, for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. After lunch, you descent again by almost 680 m to the Barranco camping area.

After reaching the high altitude of 4,600 m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner and overnight.

Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation: Budget camping - On Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Totally exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1,345 m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick, and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries, and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing, it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at around about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep for not more than 5 hours.

Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation: Budget camping - On Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

You will get up around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically, the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5,685 m), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here, you will have a well-earned but short rest. Collect the rest of your gear before heading down to Mweka Camp (3,100 m) for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation: Budget camping - On Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After breakfast, you will continue down to the Mweka village, normally a muddy, long 1-hour walk. In Mweka village, drive to the Springlands Hotel where you will be served a delicious, hot lunch! You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, and overnight in the Springlands Hotel. Tips are recommended and highly appreciated at the end of your trip. Tips can be given to the guide at the Springlands Hotel. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5,685 m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) receive gold certificates. Return to the hotel and have a rest. The next day, our driver will drive you back to the airport and that will be the end of our nice work of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Main Destination: Moshi (Town)

Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Silver accommodations

Our silver accommodations are comfortable and affordable options for a pleasant stay in Africa. Nothing glamourous or luxurious, but you can expect decent and enjoyable lodging for an overnight stay. All properties are well-maintained and provide clean rooms, comfy beds, private bathrooms with hot water showers, and lovely dining rooms. Minor points to note are that WiFi may only be available in certain areas, and dinner is typically served as a buffet. But the accommodations usually lie in beautiful surroundings, and some boast swimming pools or other extras.

Golden accommodations

Our golden accommodations take it up a notch, offering that extra touch of comfort and luxury. Here, you can indulge in well-designed rooms and buildings, usually set in beautiful locations. These accommodations feature fine, thoughtfully designed rooms with lush beds, fully equipped bathrooms, and private balconies with scenic views. You will enjoy excellent meals in buffets or à la carte menus and have free access to swimming pools. As a cherry on top, you might spot wildlife directly from the lodge, with monkeys in trees or animals coming to drink at a nearby waterhole. 

Platinum accommodations

Our platinum accommodations provide enhanced luxury, as they offer beautifully designed lodges and resorts in the most amazing locations. The service in these places is impeccable, all amenities you can think of are present, and rooms are spacious and extremely comfortable. Oftentimes, they boast private plunge pools or luxurious outside rain showers, wide beds, exquisite food, amazing service, and beautiful terraces with fluffy sofas. And of course, these accommodations boast the most remarkable views over extraordinary landscapes.

Diamond accommodations

Our diamond accommodations offer the ultimate luxury experience in Africa. Nothing less than the best of the best! We take you to places that pamper you with the utmost luxury and comfort in stunning settings that give your Tanzanian adventure a memorable twist.  You stay in places that are unique in their design, geographical location, and service and sleep, for example, on private islands, in treetop rooms inside national parks, or on the rim of a crater. You experience the utmost privacy and seclusion while you enjoy sundowners in private plunge pools or outdoor bathtubs with a view, indulge in haute cuisine in fine restaurants, get pampered in a luxury spa or with in-room massages, and get your morning coffee served by private butlers while watching the wildlife from your terrace.

Practical Information for Your Safari Adventure

1. Visa and Entry Requirements

  • Visas: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. Apply for a tourist visa in advance or obtain a visa on arrival (depending on your nationality).
  • Vaccinations: Some countries require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination. Consult your doctor about other recommended vaccines.
  • Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended for all travelers.

2. Health and Safety

  • Malaria Prevention: Tanzania and other safari destinations are malaria zones. Carry anti-malarial medication and insect repellents.
  • First Aid: Our safari vehicles are equipped with first-aid kits. Notify us in advance of any medical conditions.
  • Water Safety: Only drink bottled or boiled water during your trip.

3. Packing List

  • Clothing: Light, breathable clothing in neutral colors (avoid bright colors to blend with nature), a hat, sunglasses, and a warm jacket for chilly mornings and evenings.
  • Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes and sandals.
  • Accessories: Binoculars, a good camera, sunscreen, lip balm, and a power bank.
  • Luggage: Soft duffle bags are preferred for ease of packing in safari vehicles.
  • Malaria Prevention: Tanzania and other safari destinations are malaria zones. Carry anti-malarial medication and insect repellents.
  • First Aid: Our safari vehicles are equipped with first-aid kits. Notify us in advance of any medical conditions.
  • Water Safety: Only drink bottled or boiled water during your trip.

4. Weather and Climate

  • Dry Season (June to October): Best for game viewing as animals gather around water sources.
  • Wet Season (November to May): Ideal for bird watching and witnessing lush landscapes. April and May experience heavy rains.

5. Safari Etiquette

  • Wildlife Respect: Keep a safe distance from animals, do not feed or touch them, and follow the guide’s instructions at all times.
  • Noise Levels: Maintain silence during game drives for better wildlife viewing and to respect other travelers.
  • Photography: Avoid flash photography as it may disturb the animals.

6. Transportation

  • Game Drives: Travel in custom 4×4 safari vehicles equipped with pop-up roofs for optimal viewing.
  • Airport Transfers: Included in most packages. Specify your arrival details when booking.
  • Domestic Flights: Available for remote safari destinations or to connect with Zanzibar.

7. Accommodations

  • Options: Pyana Travel and Tours offers luxury lodges, tented camps, and budget-friendly accommodations.
  • Amenities: Most lodges provide modern amenities such as en-suite bathrooms, hot showers, and electricity

8. Local Culture

  • Languages: Swahili and English are widely spoken.
  • Tipping: Common practice to tip your guides, drivers, and lodge staff. Suggested amount: $10–$20 per day for guides.
  • Community Visits: We offer optional cultural tours to interact with local tribes like the Maasai and Hadzabe.

9. Payment and Booking

  • Payment Methods: We accept major credit cards, bank transfers, and mobile money.
  • Deposits: A 30% deposit is required to secure your booking, with the balance due 30 days before departure.
  • Cancellations: Check our cancellation policy for details.
6-Day Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Through Machame Route

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6-Day Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Through Machame Route

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