Book this seven-day, guided trip with us and summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, via the Shira route. The starting point of this route is the Shira Gate, which is located at a higher elevation than the Londorossi Gate, used by travelers heading for the top of the mountain through the Lemosho route. However, what is unique about the Shira route is that the first section of the trail is not covered by foot but driven. Therefore, climbers using this route will miss out on hiking through one of Kilimanjaro’s ecological zones, the rainforest.
Your journey starts in Moshi, from where we will drive you to the Londorossi Gate. An off-road vehicle will then transport you to the Shira Gate, located 3,600 metres above sea level, from where you will then hike up to Simba Camp on the first day of the climb. Please note that those who spent the previous night in Moshi will experience a sizeable gain in elevation today and might face complications due to the lack of acclimatisation.
From Simba Camp, your journey to the top continues via Shira 2 Camp, Lava Tower and Barafu Camp. Although it might be difficult for those who cannot deal with a sudden increase in elevation, this route is much more scenic than other routes to the top as it crosses the spectacular Shira Plateau and then joins the Machame route, thereby allowing climbers to experience beautiful sights around the southern circuit as well. Plus, you will experience a low traffic on this route until it joins the Machame.
The Shira is ideal for those who are confident in their ability to acclimatise fast and deal with sudden elevation increases. Along with this, travelers should also be able to trek through steep trails over an extended period of time.
Please note that the tour price also includes two night's accommodation in Moshi, one night each before and after the climb. For more details, please scroll down.
Trekking and HikingClimbing
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Tent, Hotel, Hut
Age Range
7-79 yrs
Operated in
english, french, german, spanish
Destinations
Kilimanjaro, Moshi, Mount Kilima
Kilimanjaro, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Simba Camp, Shira Camp Two, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Mweka Camp
Tanzania is blessed with some of the most spectacular peaks and hiking points around eastern Africa. The most intriguing of them all is the hike up Uhuru peak on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro attracts a lot of visitors annually who seeks the adventure of conquering the highest peak in Africa, and the highest free standing mountain in the world. Mount Kilimanjaro has different routes to the peak at 19340feet (5895meters) above sea level. One of these is the Machame Route which this tour will take.
Machame is a Zigzag route up and down trail. You will be hiking up and then hiking a bit down again to sleep low, which is very good for acclimatisation. Due to this reason, by taking this 7 days Machame Route your chance of reaching Mt. Kilimanjaro's summit will also be higher as you will be better acclimatized.
One of the most challenging points on the Machame route is the Baranco wall. We will pass it slowly and safely so there is not need to worry about this point. One of the highlights of this is of course reaching Uhuru Peak on Mt. Kilimanjaro, but, in fact, the entire climb and tour is a highlight.
On the way down, we will descent via the Mweka route. The sleeping mode on the Machame Route is camping.
For a day-by-day itinerary, please see the itinerary tab.
The Machame Kilimanjaro route is a Zigzag route with a trail going up and down. We will hike high and to the extent possible try to sleep low as it is good for acclimatization.
On the Machame route a challenging point is the Baranco wall. We will take it slow and steady making sure that we pass it in a safe manner. While reaching the Mt. Kilimanjaro summit is a highlight in fact the entire Machame route is excellent.
On the way down from Mt. Kilimanjaro we will descend via the Mweka route. As for accommodation we will be making use of camping where also toilet facilities will be available.
Comparing the Machame route with the other Kili-routes then it is simply a longer and some times steeper. It covers more ground and involves more ups and downs. It wears you out more, takes more energy, but does not require more skill. But, a key advantage is that it offers much better acclimatization - increasing your chance of reaching the summit.
Some people are terribly worried about climbing the Barranco Wall. Don't worry. It's not a cliff face and it's not a climb. It's mostly a very steep path that requires you to use your hands every now and then.
For a detailed itinerary kindly see the itinerary tab. We look forward to providing you with an excellent climb on Africa's highest free standing mountain in the world.
Leomosho is a great option for travelers who want to avoids the crowds that one encounters in the early sections of Machame route. Join us on this eight-day, guided trip to the top of Africa and be part of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The climb begins at Londorossi Gate, located at the elevation of 2,360 metres. Hike through a majestic rainforest where some of the region’s most unique wildlife can be encountered. Continue your hourney to Shira Ridge and cross the famous Shira Plateau. Hike over the Barranco Wall on your journey to the top of Africa. Having reached to the top of Africa's highest peak, you will then descend via Mweka trail rather than retracing your steps on the way down.
The Lemosho route is a good eight-day hike for those who do not have much experience trekking in high elevations. However, experienced and already acclimatised mountaineers can complete the trek in seven days.
This 8-day Lemosho Route on Kilimajaro starts with a high-altitude drop-off in the alpine region at 3,500 meters. Starting from this high point generally makes the trek easier and milder, making it perfect for families or beginners.
Lemosho route is known for its premium-class Kilimanjaro trekking. If you choose it as your trekking option you will get a unique fusion of the most amazing landscapes and easy acclimatization. Lemosho makes Uhuru accessible even for teenagers.
This route has a slightly more expensive price which is fully justified by the advantages of the Lemosho Route. These include spectacular scenery, an SUV transfer to the beginning of the trek, and the highest chances of successful climbing and solitude! Also, the camping site's location and gradual altitude increase are the most suitable for beginners and amateurs. Compared with other routes, the acclimatization process is the easiest one on Kilimanjaro, making the summiting chances the highest.
The Kilimanjaro Machame route is one of the most popular routes for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. The reason for its popularity is due to it being a very scenic route.
This is a long and hard trek, which reaches an altitude of 5895m. Even if you consider yourself fit, you might still find the climb very hard, depending on how well your body acclimatises to high altitude. There is no scientific way to determine how easily you acclimatise, and be aware that the acclimatisation process also differ from climb to climb.
Most of the trails on the Kilimanjaro trek are well defined and of good quality but some forest sections are often slippery and moorland paths can be very wet in poor weather conditions.
The final ascent to Uhuru peak is almost exclusively on loose rock without permanent footpaths. However, no technical skills are required. During the course of the trip we shall spend time at both high and low altitude, experiencing both extremely cold and quite hot conditions.
We will prepare for an early start every day on Kilimanjaro.
I recently completed the 7-day Machame Route hike to Mount Kilimanjaro with Kilisa Tours & Safaris, and it was truly the adventure of a lifetime.
From beginning to end, the trek was exceptionally well-organized. The guides demonstrated deep knowledge, patience, and unwavering support—particularly during the summit ascent, where their encouragement and steady pacing proved invaluable. They maintained a consistent "pole pole" (slowly, slowly) rhythm and continuously checked in to ensure we were acclimatizing properly and feeling well.
The Machame Route itself offers breathtaking diversity. Each day revealed new landscapes—from the lush rainforest on day one to the dramatic Shira Plateau, the exhilarating Barranco Wall, and the stark beauty of the alpine desert approaching Barafu Camp. The route’s acclimatization profile is excellent, and I am confident it contributed significantly to our group’s high summit success rate.
The support crew—porters, cooks, and camp staff—exceeded expectations. We were warmly welcomed at each camp with hot meals and comfortable resting areas. The quality of the food was remarkable for a mountain expedition—nutritious, hearty, and far above what I had anticipated.
Reaching Uhuru Peak was both emotional and exhilarating. Witnessing the sunrise from the Roof of Africa was a deeply rewarding moment and one of the proudest accomplishments of my life.
For anyone considering a Kilimanjaro climb, I highly recommend the 7-day Machame Route. It offers the perfect balance of challenge, scenic variety, and effective altitude adaptation. I strongly encourage choosing Kilisa Tours & Safaris as your operator—they deliver an outstanding and unforgettable experience.
The second most popular option among the climbers, Machame route, also known as “the Whiskey Route”, offers a wide variety of views, landscapes and experiences. The starting point of the route, Machame Gate, is only a 20-minute drive from Aishi Machame Hotel. Located on the southern slope of Mt Kilimanjaro, Machame Gate will lead you to the top along the exciting footpath which starts at the tropical forest, then runs through all the climate zones and finishes with the Arctic desert in the summit area. All guides have "Wilderness First Responder" and "Wilderness First Aid" certificates, along with over 7 years of experience in climbing. At the end of the tour, you will receive an International certificate for a successful ascent!
Excellent experience, action packed with a lot of big 5 sightings! The tour started off in Kenya and then ended in Tanzania. Great guides in both locations who were able to educate while also show us all the birds and animals. Highly recommended!
Wildlife safaris and game drives
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Resort
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kilimanjaro, Nairobi, Serengeti
Kilimanjaro, Nairobi, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, Aberdare National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Victoria
SMALL GROUP LODGE SAFARI : Explore six of East Africa's finest national parks on a wildlife extravaganza. From Nairobi visit the flamingos at Lake Nakuru and go wild in Kenya's Masai Mara before winging your way to Tanzania to go in search of the Big Five across the vast open plains of the Serengeti and down into Ngorongoro Crater. Topped off with game drives in Tarangire and Lake Manyara Natioal Park, famous for its tree climbing lions.
Wildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Lodge, Hotel
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Nairobi, Se
Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Nairobi, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Elementaita, Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Tarangire National Park
15% OFF TODAYThis deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Experience eight days of breathless adventure in northern Tanzania with this odyssey that explores three national parks and a conservation area. ‘Safari’ comes from the Swahili word for ‘journey’ and over the course of this unforgettable itinerary, you will undertake a journey like no other: you will discover some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world, come face to face with wildlife, and have memorable encounters with intriguing cultures.
Wildlife safaris and game drives
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Lodge, Tent, Hotel
Age Range
6-99 yrs
Operated in
english, french, german, italian
Destinations
Arusha, Lake Manyara National Pa
Arusha, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro
15% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Kilimanjaro Trek through Machame Route is a 9-day trekking tour that offers amazing views, landscapes and experience. Also known as “the Whiskey Route”, Machame is considered one of the best routes for acclimatization as it follows the mountaineering code of hiking high and sleeping low.
The starting point of the route, Machame Gate is only an hour drive from Moshi town. Located on the southern slope of Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame Gate will lead you to the top along the exciting footpath, featuring tropical forests and diverse ecosystem. You will finish the trek in the Arctic desert in the summit area.
Camps along the trek are favorably located for a smooth and gradual acclimatization. On the 3rd day, Machame Route converges with Lemosho and Umbwe at Barranco camp.
While, it is possible to complete the trek in 6 days, we recommend 7 days for Machame route because it makes it easier to acclimatize and helps you get ample rest for the climb, maximizing your chances of reaching the top.
Trekking and HikingAdventure
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Hut, Tent
Age Range
9-70 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kilimanjaro Machame route, Mount
Kilimanjaro Machame route, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Moshi, Machame Camp, Shira, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Mweka Camp, Mweka Gate, Kilimanjaro
15% OFF TODAYThis deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Featuring captivating scenic vistas, pristine wildlife, excellent acclimatization opportunities and low traffic of climbers, Lemosho is our personal first favourite for reaching the roof of Africa. All guides have "Wilderness First Responder" and "Wilderness First Aid" certificates, along with over 7 years of experience in climbing. At the end of the tour, you will receive an International certificate for a successful ascent!
On this 13-day safari adventure through the everchanging landscapes of East Africa, you’ll take multiple game drives in the Maasai Mara, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Amboseli National Park. With expert guides and a handy local leader, you’ll visit spots far off the tourist trail, including the base of Mt Meru, where you’ll go on a hike through the slopes of the mountain to a waterfall, and Lake Naivasha for a boat safari. Visit a Hadzabe tribe and learn about their way of life, getting a unique insight into a small community with ancient roots. Spend time in Arusha and take part in a traditional cooking class with a company that supports and empowers the local women and visit the Patinaai Osim project, supported by the Intrepid Foundation and working to fight inequality of women and girls in Indigenous communities. With all of this and more, you’ll hit all the iconic wildlife, landscapes and highlights of Africa and gain a special understanding of this incredible land – what are you waiting for?
Wildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Nairobi, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
Nairobi, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Lake Elementaita, Amboseli National Park, Mount Meru, Rhotia, Kilimanjaro
13% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
