Duration
7-Day
Accra, Tanzania
Kilimanjaro Trek Machame Route Known as the "Whiskey" route, the Machame route is now the most popular route on the mountain. Compared with Marangu, the days on Machame are longer and the walks are steeper. The Machame route is considered a difficult route, and is better suited for more adventurous folks and those with some hiking or backpacking experience. The route begins from the south, then heads east, traversing underneath Kilimanjaro's southern ice field before summiting.
Plan snapshot
Duration
7-Day
Route
Arusha to Arusha
Via Machame Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro), Mt Kilimanjaro
Country & park
Tanzania
Style
Shared safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
12 years
Activities
Getting around: normal 4x4 vehicle & hiking/walking
Accommodation
Karibu Heritage House - Budget hotel in Arusha (City) – All Meals Included
Meals
All Meals Included; Breakfast & Lunch Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
USD
Solo travelers
Can join this group tour
Rates
USD
Before booking
Quote flow
This budget tour includes camping and hotels.
On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 6 people per group.
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
The accommodations and destinations of this tour cannot be changed.
Single travelers cannot join this group tour.
The minimum age for this tour is 12 years.
Day 1
Budget hotel in Arusha (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 2
Budget camping on Mt Kilimanjaro – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 3
Budget camping on Mt Kilimanjaro – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 4
Budget camping on Mt Kilimanjaro – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 5
Budget camping on Mt Kilimanjaro – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 6
Budget camping on Mt Kilimanjaro – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 7
(No accommodation)
Breakfast & Lunch Included
Tour step
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, our transfer driver will be waiting for you. He will take you to the Karibu Heritage House, where the rest of the day is at leisure. You might want to explore the town of Arusha (taxi required) or just relax at the lodge. In the evening you will be briefed by our team on site in preparation of the upcoming trekking tour. You will spend the night will do this briefing of our Kilimanjaro Trek Machame Route depend on your arrive time accommodation will be at. Budget hotel located in Arusha (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 2
The Kilimajaro Trek Machame Route will start with a drive from Arusha to the Machame Gate takes about 1.5hrs. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp. Meal Plan: Lunch on route either hot lunch or packed lunch. Elevation : 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft Distance : 11 km/7 miles Hiking Time : 5-7 hours Habitat : Rain Forest. on Mt Kilimanjaro All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3
We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp. Meal Plan: Lunch on route either hot lunch or packed lunch. Elevation : 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft Distance : 5 km/3 miles Hiking Time : 4-6 hours Habitat : Heath. on Mt Kilimanjaro All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 4
We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. Through the Senecio Forest, we descend down to Barranco Camp to an altitudinal level of 13,000 ft. Even if you start and end at the same altitude, it is very beneficial for acclimatization. Meal Plan: Lunch on route either hot lunch or packed lunch. Elevation : 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft Distance : 7 km/4 miles Hiking Time : 4-5 hours Habitat : Alpine Desert. on Mt Kilimanjaro All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 5
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization. Meal Plan: Lunch on route either hot lunch or packed lunch. Elevation : 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft Distance : 5 km/3 miles Hiking Time : 4-5 hours Habitat : Alpine Desert. on Mt Kilimanjaro All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 6
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position. Meal Plan: Lunch on route either hot lunch or packed lunch. Elevation : 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft Distance : 4 km/2 miles Hiking Time : 4 km/2 miles Habitat :Alpine Desert. on Mt Kilimanjaro All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 7
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. We can arrange additional accommodation at the end of your tour or drive to the airport. Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
Tour step
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Porterage
Rescue fee
Climbing gear
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Offered by
Signature Safari and Tours is comprised of a team who strive always for excellence, celebrated by their clients since the companies inception, we are a group of mountain and safari guides with over twelve years experience in creating and leading adventures summiting our Rift Valley Mountains, including the renowned Kilimanjaro, and going safari onto the endless plain as well as in the wealth of other parks in our beautiful land.. We started in 2006 as a small adventure speciliest .
Office In
Tanzania
Size
5-10 employees (Founded in 2006)
Member Of
TTB & TLTO
Tour Types
Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
Destinations
Tanzania
Traveler feedback
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Exceptional Safari Experience with Signature Safari – Alen Made It Unforgettable We had an incredible week exploring the Serengeti, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara with Signature Safari—thanks in large part to our outstanding tour guide Alan and our talented personal chef Gama. Alen truly made this trip something special. His deep knowledge of the parks and wildlife, paired with an almost instinctive sense of where to find animals, meant we were always in the right place at the right time—from spotting lion cubs playing near their pride to watching elephants cross right in front of our jeep. He shared fascinating insights throughout the journey, was endlessly patient with our questions, and made every drive feel like a true adventure. The trip was beautifully organized, with smooth logistics and comfortable accommodations throughout. And while we were out exploring, Chef Gama kept us well fed with delicious meals—always fresh, varied, and impressively good given the remote settings. If you’re planning a safari in Tanzania, we can’t recommend Signature Safari highly enough—especially if you can go with Alen. It’s a journey we’ll never forget! Wenn Ihr eine Safari nach Tansania plant, können wir Signature Safari nur wärmstens empfehlen – vor allem, wenn Ihr mit Alen unterwegs sein könnt. Es war eine Reise, die wir nie vergessen werden!
Paul-Frederik · Germany
It was an amazing experience to climb Mt Kilimanjaro and 3 days safari. Highly recommended
Jyoti · India
Innocent and his team at Signature Safari did a great job creating this experience for our honeymoon. We did five days in Tanzania’s northern circuit including Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater, and Lake Manyara, followed by a five day stay on Zanzibar. We loved the accommodations at Kitela, Kubu Kubu, and the Royal Zanzibar. Kubu Kubu was particularly spectacular in the Serengeti. Our guide during the safari, Alan, was fantastic. He did a great job finding animals, getting us great positioning for photos, explaining the management of the parks, and teaching us some Swahili. Overall, we had wonderful experience and would highly recommend Signature Safari!
Will & Britt · United States
Signature Safari delivers an exceptional wildlife adventure experience, blending professionalism, deep local knowledge, and heartfelt hospitality. From the moment you arrive, their team ensures every detail is taken care of — from safe, comfortable transport to immersive game drives guided by passionate experts. Their commitment to conservation and respect for the environment shines through in every aspect of the journey. Whether it’s spotting the Big Five or enjoying sundowners in the savannah, every moment feels thoughtfully curated. It's more than a safari — it's a once-in-a-lifetime memory, crafted with care and expertise.
Viktoria · Canada
Practical answers
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
This tour accepts children who are 12 years and older.
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
The accommodations and destinations of this tour cannot be changed.
Karibu Heritage House - Budget hotel in Arusha (City) – All Meals Included. Meals: All Meals Included
This tour starts and ends in Arusha
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Operator policy
This tour is offered by Signature Safari, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
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