The most popular route on Kilimanjaro, loved for its varied and spectacular scenery as it traverses multiple climate zones. Starting from the southern slopes through dense rainforest, the Machame Route ascends the dramatic southern circuit with stunning views of the Western Breach.
📅 7 Days / 6 Nights⛰ 5895m Uhuru Peak💪 Challenging📍 49 km Total✅ 94% Success Rate
Known as the “Whiskey Route,” Machame is chosen by more climbers than any other path up Kilimanjaro. The route offers incredible diversity — dense equatorial rainforest on day one gives way to heather moorland, then alpine desert, then the glaciated summit zone. The classic “climb high, sleep low” acclimatisation profile via Lava Tower on day three significantly boosts summit success.
The Barranco Wall on day four is a highlight for most climbers — a non-technical but exhilarating rocky scramble with panoramic views. From Barafu Base Camp at 4,673m, summit night begins at midnight, pushing through the crater rim at Stella Point before the final ridge walk to Uhuru Peak.
📅
Duration
7 Days / 6 Nights
6 nights on mountain
⛰
Max Altitude
5895m
Uhuru Peak
💪
Difficulty
Challenging
Physical demand rating
✅
Success Rate
94%
With Josh Dreamland Safari
📏
Distance
~49 km
Total route
🌤
Best Months
Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb
Dry season preferred
🧭
Approach
Southern
Starting direction
⬇
Descent
Mweka Gate
Exit route
Route Gallery
When to Go
Best Time to Climb Machame
The best window is Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb for the clearest skies and highest summit success rates. We run climbs every day of the year.
Monthly Conditions at a Glance
JanPeak
FebGood
MarGreen
AprValue
MayValue
Jun⭐ Peak
Jul⭐ Peak
Aug⭐ Peak
Sep⭐ Peak
OctGood
NovValue
DecFestive
Peak / Dry SeasonShoulder / Good ValueJan–Feb Clear & Dry
Day by Day
Full Itinerary
D1
Machame Gate → Machame Camp
D2
Machame Camp → Shira Camp
D3
Shira Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp
D4
Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp
📏 -2 km
D5
Karanga Camp → Barafu Base Camp
D6
⭐ Summit Push → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
D7
Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate
Transparency
What's included & what's not
No surprises. Every cost is itemised here so you know exactly what your climb covers.
All prices in USD. 20% deposit secures booking. Balance due 60 days before departure. Includes all park fees, crew, camping and meals. Combo packages (Kili + Safari + Zanzibar) available on request.
Choose Your Start Date
Dates & Prices 2026–2027
Pick any start date below — we depart every day of the year. Dry season (Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb) is peak; wet season offers discounts and near-empty trails.
AvailablePeak SeasonSold OutSelected
April 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13$1,950
14$1,950
15$1,950
16$1,950
17$1,950
18$1,950
19$1,950
20$1,950
21$1,950
22$1,950
23$1,950
24$1,950
25$1,950
26$1,950
27$1,950
28$1,950
29$1,950
30$1,950
May 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1$1,950
2$1,950
3$1,950
4$1,950
5$1,950
6$1,950
7$1,950
8$1,950
9$1,950
10$1,950
11$1,950
12$1,950
13$1,950
14$1,950
15$1,950
16$1,950
17$1,950
18$1,950
19$1,950
20$1,950
21$1,950
22$1,950
23$1,950
24$1,950
25$1,950
26$1,950
27$1,950
28$1,950
29$1,950
30$1,950
31$1,950
June 2026 — 🏔 Dry Season Begins
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1$2,250
2$2,250
3$2,250
4$2,250
5$2,250
6$2,250
7$2,250
8$2,250
9$2,250
10$2,250
11$2,250
12$2,250
13$2,250
14$2,250
15$2,250
16$2,250
17$2,250
18$2,250
19$2,250
20$2,250
21$2,250
22$2,250
23$2,250
24$2,250
25$2,250
26$2,250
27$2,250
28$2,250
29$2,250
30$2,250
July 2026 — ⭐ Peak Summit Season
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1$2,500
2$2,500
3$2,500
4$2,500
5$2,500
6$2,500
7$2,500
8$2,500
9$2,500
10$2,500
11$2,500
12$2,500
13$2,500
14$2,500
15$2,500
16$2,500
17$2,500
18$2,500
19$2,500
20$2,500
21$2,500
22$2,500
23$2,500
24$2,500
25$2,500
26$2,500
27$2,500
28$2,500
29$2,500
30$2,500
31$2,500
August 2026 — ⭐ Peak Summit Season
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1$2,500
2$2,500
3$2,500
4$2,500
5$2,500
6$2,500
7$2,500
8$2,500
9$2,500
10$2,500
11$2,500
12$2,500
13$2,500
14$2,500
15$2,500
16$2,500
17$2,500
18$2,500
19$2,500
20$2,500
21$2,500
22$2,500
23$2,500
24$2,500
25$2,500
26$2,500
27$2,500
28$2,500
29$2,500
30$2,500
31$2,500
September 2026 — 🏔 Peak Season
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1$2,500
2$2,500
3$2,500
4$2,500
5$2,500
6$2,500
7$2,500
8$2,500
9$2,500
10$2,500
11$2,500
12$2,500
13$2,500
14$2,500
15$2,500
16$2,500
17$2,500
18$2,500
19$2,500
20$2,500
21$2,500
22$2,500
23$2,500
24$2,500
25$2,500
26$2,500
27$2,500
28$2,500
29$2,500
30$2,500
October 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1$2,250
2$2,250
3$2,250
4$2,250
5$2,250
6$2,250
7$2,250
8$2,250
9$2,250
10$2,250
11$2,250
12$2,250
13$2,250
14$2,250
15$2,250
16$2,250
17$2,250
18$2,250
19$2,250
20$2,250
21$2,250
22$2,250
23$2,250
24$2,250
25$2,250
26$2,250
27$2,250
28$2,250
29$2,250
30$2,250
31$2,250
November 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1$1,950
2$1,950
3$1,950
4$1,950
5$1,950
6$1,950
7$1,950
8$1,950
9$1,950
10$1,950
11$1,950
12$1,950
13$1,950
14$1,950
15$1,950
16$1,950
17$1,950
18$1,950
19$1,950
20$1,950
21$1,950
22$1,950
23$1,950
24$1,950
25$1,950
26$1,950
27$1,950
28$1,950
29$1,950
30$1,950
December 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1$1,950
2$1,950
3$1,950
4$1,950
5$1,950
6$1,950
7$1,950
8$1,950
9$1,950
10$1,950
11$1,950
12$1,950
13$1,950
14$1,950
15$1,950
16$1,950
17$1,950
18$1,950
19$1,950
20$1,950
21$1,950
22$1,950
23$1,950
24$1,950
25$1,950
26$1,950
27$1,950
28$1,950
29$1,950
30$1,950
31$1,950
Jan 2027 — 🏔 Dry & Clear
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1$2,250
2$2,250
3$2,250
4$2,250
5$2,250
6$2,250
7$2,250
8$2,250
9$2,250
10$2,250
11$2,250
12$2,250
13$2,250
14$2,250
15$2,250
16$2,250
17$2,250
18$2,250
19$2,250
20$2,250
21$2,250
22$2,250
23$2,250
24$2,250
25$2,250
26$2,250
27$2,250
28$2,250
29$2,250
30$2,250
31$2,250
February 2027
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1$1,950
2$1,950
3$1,950
4$1,950
5$1,950
6$1,950
7$1,950
8$1,950
9$1,950
10$1,950
11$1,950
12$1,950
13$1,950
14$1,950
15$1,950
16$1,950
17$1,950
18$1,950
19$1,950
20$1,950
21$1,950
22$1,950
23$1,950
24$1,950
25$1,950
26$1,950
27$1,950
28$1,950
Season
Dates
2 Pax pp
Solo
3–4 Pax pp
5+ Pax pp
Shoulder Season
Apr–May, Oct–Nov, Feb–Mar
$1,950
$2,450
$1,850
$1,750
Dry Season PEAK
Jun–Sep, Jan
$2,250–$2,500
$2,850–$3,100
$2,150–$2,350
$2,050–$2,200
Dec Festive
Dec 24–31
$2,250
$2,850
$2,150
$2,050
Prices in USD per person. 20% deposit secures your booking. Balance due 60 days before departure. Includes all park fees, certified guides, crew, tents, meals & transfers.
📅
Select a start date from the calendar to see pricing and book your Machame climb.
Start Date: —
$1,950
per person · 7 Days / 6 Nights
Reserve Your Spot — No Payment Now
2 people × $1,950$3,900
Estimated Total$3,900
Exact quote confirmed within 24 hours
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🎉
Request Sent!
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Climber Stories
From Our Summiteers
★★★★★
"Reached Uhuru Peak at sunrise. The guides kept us motivated all through the night push. Unforgettable — worth every step."
MH
Michael H.
🇩🇪 Germany · Machame Route
TripAdvisor
★★★★★
"Chose this route on Josh's recommendation. The acclimatisation day made all the difference — summited without any altitude issues. Brilliant team throughout."
SB
Sarah B.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Machame Route
Google
★★★★★
"Hot soup at every camp, guides who genuinely cared about our safety and success. I've done Everest Base Camp — this was something different. Special."
AK
Aarav K.
🇮🇳 India · Machame Route
TripAdvisor
Common Questions
Machame Route FAQs
Do I need prior climbing experience for the Machame Route?
+
No technical experience is required. Kilimanjaro is a trekking peak — no ropes or harnesses needed. Good physical fitness and mental determination are what matter most. We recommend 3–4 months of cardio training before your climb.
What is the success rate on this route?
+
Our guides achieve a 94% summit success rate on this route — one of the best in the industry. We never rush the ascent, which significantly improves your acclimatisation and summit odds.
When is the best time to climb this route?
+
The best window is Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb. We run climbs every day of the year — even during the green season the summit is reachable with the right preparation and guides.
Can I combine this climb with a Tanzania safari or Zanzibar?
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Absolutely! We specialise in combination packages — climb Kilimanjaro, then head out on a Serengeti safari before relaxing on Zanzibar's beaches. Many climbers add 3–7 days of safari and beach time after their summit. Ask us for a combo quote.
What gear do I need for Kilimanjaro?
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Key items: thermal base layers, warm down jacket, waterproof outer layers, hiking boots (broken-in), trekking poles, sleeping bag (−10°C or lower), sun protection and a hydration system. We send a full packing list on booking. Gear rental packages are available in Moshi.
How many porters will I have?
+
We follow KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project) guidelines. Each climber is supported by approximately 2–3 porters, one guide (shared 1:3 ratio) and a dedicated cook. All crew are paid fair wages and provided with proper gear and equipment.
