Affordable Kilimanjaro Climb

6 days—Affordable 6 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route Budget Climbing Tour in 2024-2026

$1439-1600 USD

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Safari summary

Welcome on an unforgettable adventure with our affordable 6-day Kilimanjaro Machame Route budget climbing tour. The Machame Route, also known as the "Whiskey Route," is renowned for its stunning scenic beauty and high success rate for summit attempts. This route offers a diverse range of landscapes, from lush rainforests to barren alpine deserts, making it a favorite among climbers.

The 6-day Machame route is a popular and scenic trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. Named after the nearby Machame village, this route is known for its beauty and relatively high success rate. The trek spans about 62 kilometers (38.5 miles) and takes six days, which helps hikers acclimatize to the high altitude.

Starting on the southern side of the mountain, the Machame route takes you through diverse landscapes. You'll hike through lush rainforests, pass through moorlands, and cross alpine deserts before reaching the summit at Uhuru Peak, which stands at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level.

The Machame route is moderately difficult, featuring steep and rocky sections that might require some scrambling, but no technical climbing skills are needed. This makes it a great option for fit and healthy hikers, especially those with some prior trekking experience, who are seeking a challenging yet rewarding adventure.

About this tour

	Tour type	Set-date, set-itinerary, group
	Main focus	None
	Activity level	Strenuous activity
	Best months	All months
	Countries	Tanzania
	Parks	Kilimanjaro

Fine details

Safari highlights

Hiking | trekking

What’s included?

Accommodation
Meals
Park fees

What’s not included?

Tips and gratuities

Itinerary

Day 1: Machame Gate-Machame Camp

Kilimanjaro

The 6 days Kilimanjaro Machame route adventure begins at the Machame Gate, where you'll complete the necessary registration and meet your guides and porters. The trek starts through the lush rainforest, immersing you in the beauty of the surroundings. The trail gradually ascends, and after several hours of hiking, you'll reach Machame Camp, situated at an elevation of around 3,100 meters.

Machame Campsite

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira

Kilimanjaro

On the second day, the journey continues through the moorland zone. The trail offers magnificent views of the valleys below. As you ascend higher, the landscape becomes more rugged and open. After a challenging but rewarding day of hiking, you'll arrive at Shira Camp, located at an elevation of approximately 3,840 meters (12,600 feet).

Shira Cave Campsite

Day 3: Shira Cave to Barranco

Kilimanjaro

This day involves trekking from Shira Camp to the iconic Lava Tower, a volcanic rock formation at an altitude of about 4,630 meters (15,190 feet). The ascent to Lava Tower helps with acclimatization before descending to Barranco Valley. The descent takes you to Barranco Camp, situated at approximately 3,950 meters (12,960 feet).

Barranco Campsite

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

Kilimanjaro

On day four, you will conquer the Barranco Wall, which requires some scrambling and offers an exhilarating experience. Once you've conquered the wall, the trail levels out, and you'll hike through the alpine desert terrain. The day's trek leads you to Barafu Camp, located at an elevation of around 4,680 meters (15,350 feet).

Barafu Campsite

Day 5: Summit day back to Mweka

Kilimanjaro

Elevations: 4,680 m / 15,350 ft to 5895m / 19,343ft to 3,100m / 10,150ft Hiking time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down Hiking distance: 6 km up / 13 km down Day five is the most challenging and rewarding day of the trek. You'll wake up in the early hours of the morning and embark on the final ascent to the summit, Uhuru Peak. The trail is steep and rocky, and the high altitude makes it physically demanding.

Mweka Campsite

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Kilimanjaro

Elevations: 3,100m / 10,150ft to 1680 m / 5500 ft Hiking time: 3-4 hours Hiking distance: 10 km On the final day of the trek, you'll descend through the lush rainforest from Mweka Camp. The trail leads you to Mweka Gate, where you'll complete the necessary formalities and receive your summit certificates. It's a joyful moment as you bid farewell to your mountain crew.

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