For those who only have six days to climb Kilimanjaro, this climb through the Machame route is the best choice because of its acclimatization profile.
Compared to the other six day routes, the Machame route exposes the climber to higher elevations quicker (day three) which kickstarts the body's adaptation to altitude. However, this route requires that a person is in good shape to be able to tackle the challenging elevation gains and losses.
In particular, day four combined with day five makes for a very challenging schedule. Day four is a full day of hiking from Barranco to Barafu. Then after dinner and a partial night's sleep, the very long and exciting summit day begins around midnight.
To find out more about day-by-day activities, please see the itinerary.
The Lemosho Route is perhaps the most scenic Kilimanjaro route, from the first day to the last. The trail begins north of Shira, also on the western side of the mountain. But unlike the Shira Route, where for the first day you walk on a wide 4 WD road, Lemosho is a narrow wilderness trail right from the beginning, passing through pristine and remote rainforest with good chances of seeing wildlife. It then crosses the Shira Plateau before joining the Machame Route near the Lava Tower.
Luckily, despite its growing popularity, especially for second time Kilimanjaro climbers, Lemosho sees a very low number of people and truly offers and incredible adventure on the highest peak in Africa, and the highest free standing mountain in the world.
Maasai Wanderings is looking very much forward to providing you with a climb of a lifetime. No previous mountaineering experience is required for this trip.
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.
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
The Lemosho route is one of the newer routes leading to Mount Kilimanjaro, and a superb choice for your climb. It is our preferred route due to its ideal balance of low traffic, beautiful scenery and a high summit success rate. The route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge.
Unlike the popular Machame route, which simply intersects the Shira Plateau, the Lemosho route crosses the entirety of the plain from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. An added bonus is that climbers will encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
Lemosho is considered the most scenic route on Kilimanjaro, and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain.
ClimbingTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Age Range
12-75 yrs
Operated in
english, french, german, spanish
Destinations
Kilimanjaro, Mount Kilimanjaro N
Kilimanjaro, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Mti Mkubwa, Shira, Shira Camp Two, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Hut, Barafu Camp, Moshi
My wife and I haven't spent much time in Tanzania, so I picked up this 2-day hike + safari package - and honestly, it was the highlight of our trip.
The first day walking the Kilimanjaro Light Trail to reach the Maundi Crater - mind-blowing in a word! And the next day I saw lions, elephants, giraffes in Tarangire National Park in front of my eyes. The guide was very friendly, patient and knowledgeable. Everything is on time and hassle-free.
In my opinion, perfect for those who do not want to walk more, or have less time!
Experience stunning panoramic views on one of the world’s most renowned treks when you join us on this iconic climb of Africa’s tallest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro.
This trek takes you on the popular Marangu route, which uses comfortable trekking lodges for the overnight accommodation. You’ll be climbing for five hard and breathless days to reach the summit so you better be fit. We also add in one acclimatisation day en-route to give you a bit more time on the mountain and to give you the best chance of reaching the summit. We recommend you do plenty of training before undertaking this challenge, but when you reach the summit the spectacular views out across the African landscape will make all the hard work and pain so worthwhile. Truly a once in a lifetime achievement!
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut
Age Range
8-85 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Moshi, Mand
Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Moshi, Mandara Hut, Horombo Hut, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro Trek - Lemosho route is a 10-day journey that offers a wonderful chance to explore Mount Kilimanjaro through the scenic Lemosho route, an experience that combines natural beauty with a sense of personal achievement. The adventure begins in the lush rainforests, where you’re travel through diverse ecosystems, gradually ascending to the summit of Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Lemosho Route offers a less-traveled path, providing breathtaking views and a challenging yet rewarding trek. As you progress, explore the expansive Shira Plateau, conquer the thrilling Barranco Wall, and traverse the picturesque Karanga Valley surrounded by glaciers and alpine desert.
Witness the sunrise from Stella Point on the crater rim and take in the view from Uhuru Peak. Encounter unique flora, including giant senecios, and marvel at distinctive volcanic formations like the Lava Tower. Stay overnight at the Machame Camp nestled beneath towering peaks and descend through the Mweka Route, reflecting on your accomplishment amidst lush landscapes.
This Kilimanjaro climb promises an unforgettable adventure, weaving together natural wonders and the satisfaction of reaching the "Roof of Africa." Join us for a transformative expedition that leaves you with enduring memories of a remarkable achievement.
