
Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 636 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route worth booking?
Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route is a 144-hour experience in Moshi, Tanzania, from $2,350 per person. It scores 87 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 636 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 87 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (636)
- Duration
- 144 hours
- From
- $2,350 per person
All your equipment and supplies are carried by porters and a cook prepares all your meals. Unlike the Marangu Route where you sleep in huts, on the Machame you sleep in tents (tents are included), and the porters will pitch your tent for you. Meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside. This makes the Machame, which is referred to as the "Whiskey Route," better suited to more adventurous hikers, and it also rewards you with better views than other Routes. From late afternoon sunsets at Shira, to the misty revelations of Kibo's great Barranco Wall, the Machame Route offers the spunky hiker a continuous scenic slide show.
What you get
About this experience
All your equipment and supplies are carried by porters and a cook prepares all your meals. Unlike the Marangu Route where you sleep in huts, on the Machame you sleep in tents (tents are included), and the porters will pitch your tent for you. Meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside. This makes the Machame, which is referred to as the "Whiskey Route," better suited to more adventurous hikers, and it also rewards you with better views than other Routes. From late afternoon sunsets at Shira, to the misty revelations of Kibo's great Barranco Wall, the Machame Route offers the spunky hiker a continuous scenic slide show.
What's included
Included
- Guides, porters, cook, waiter salaries
- Tents and sleeping mattresses
- First aid kit
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Return Airport transfers to JRO - Kilimanjaro international Airpor
- Rescue Fees
- Two nights accommodation at the Springlands Hotel in Moshi (before and after the climb)
- Qualified guides with mountain crew
- Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation and entry fees on the mountain
- Cutlery / Crockery / Eating utensils
- National park fees
- Mess tent (for dining) / Mini camping chairs / Tables / Candles
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Boiled water on the mountain
- Pulse oximeters
- Return transportation from Moshi to/from the starting/finishing point on the mountain
Not included
- Single rooms supplement at Springlands Hotel
- Guides, Porters, Cook & Waiters tips
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Gear for your climb
- Items of personal nature
- Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included
- Visas
- Emergency oxygen
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 720 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- ZARA TOURS
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 636 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Physical effort
3 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
636 verified traveler reviews for Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Sylivester perfect guide and team
Very good experience with Zara tours. Sylivester and his team made it possible for us to reach the summit
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you for your wonderful review. We are delighted you had such a positive experience with Zara Tanzania Adventures. Your kind words about Sylivester and his team mean a great deal to us. We are especially pleased that their support and guidance helped you reach the summit successfully. Asante sana for choosing Zara Tanzania Adventures. We will gladly share your appreciation with Sylivester and the entire mountain team.
via Tripadvisor
Kilimanjaro….One Team One Dream
The adventure of a lifetime, can’t thank Zara enough, the guides and porter are worth their weight in gold and would have no hesitation in recommending them. Emndeme is the man but special shout out to Rashidi and Evams for making this such a special adventure
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt review. We are delighted that your Kilimanjaro journey with Zara Tanzania Adventures became the adventure of a lifetime. Your kind words about Emndeme, Rashidi, Evams, the guides, and the porters mean a great deal to us. We are especially pleased that their support, teamwork, and dedication made the climb such a special and memorable experience. Asante sana for choosing Zara Tanzania Adventures and for your strong recommendation. We will gladly share your appreciation with the entire mountain team.
via Tripadvisor
Great experience on Machame!
Chief guide: Mndeme Guides: Rashidi, Evans Was an absolute great experience. The climbimg was though, but the guides provided everything necessary in terms of mental and physical support to get everyone through it. Plenty of food including vegetables and fresh fruit. All the staff is so very kijd and helpful. I have a lot of respect and admiration for everyone! Would defintely reccomend to everyone 😄
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing such a wonderful review. We are delighted that your Machame climb was such a rewarding experience, despite the physical challenge. Your kind words about Mndeme, Rashidi, Evans, and the entire team mean a great deal to us. We are especially pleased that their mental and physical support helped everyone through the climb, and that you appreciated the generous meals, fresh fruit, vegetables, and the whole crew's kindness. Asante sana for your recommendation. We will gladly share your appreciation with the entire mountain team.
via Tripadvisor
Unforgettable & exhausting, surrounded by wonderful people
As expected, it was experience of a lifetime and Zara took very good care of us. We climbed up and down in 6 days which is the shorter option. The group was surprisingly small with 4 travelers getting support from a wonderful team around Joseph and Adam. The trip is expensive, yes, but worth the money and all the effort that the team in having getting us up and down safely. The atmosphere was as expected a full outdoor one with wonderful nature and unforgettable scenery and impressions.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful review. We are delighted that your six-day Kilimanjaro climb with Zara Tanzania Adventures became such an unforgettable experience and that you felt well cared for throughout the journey. Your kind words about Joseph, Adam, and the entire support team mean a great deal to us. We are especially pleased that their effort, attention to safety, and close support helped your small group enjoy the challenge and the incredible scenery along the way. Asante sana for choosing Zara Tanzania Adventures. We will gladly share your appreciation with Joseph, Adam, and the whole mountain team.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent experience!
Everything was amazing. Guides did a perfect job. Felt safe on the whole trip. Communication was excellent. Food was good. Camp setups was perfect. Hotel before and after was realy great 😃 Can recommend 100%.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you for your wonderful review. We are delighted that every aspect of your trip met your expectations, from the guiding and communication to the food, camp setup, and hotel stays before and after the journey. We're especially pleased to hear you felt safe and well cared for throughout the experience. Asante sana for your 100% recommendation. We will gladly share your appreciation with the whole team.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 144 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 223
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by ZARA TOURS, who run 3 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 79.9.
See everything ZARA TOURS runsWhy this scores 87
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Moshi.
How much does Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route cost?
+
Prices start at $2,350 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Moshi usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route take?
+
Plan for about 144 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Moshi is not rushed.
Is Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 87 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 636 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Moshi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 144-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route?
+
Around 223 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Moshi can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Moshi and add a light layer if any part of the 144-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Moshi within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Moshi?
+
On Outty we rank every Moshi experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Materuni Waterfall, Coffee Tour and Picnic Hot Lunch, Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Plantation Half Day Tour, Kilimanjaro climb, Machame Route (7-day). The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Moshi?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Moshi?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route?
+
Included: Guides, porters, cook, waiter salaries; Tents and sleeping mattresses; First aid kit; Lunch; and Dinner. Not included: Single rooms supplement at Springlands Hotel; Guides, Porters, Cook & Waiters tips; Meals and drinks not specified; and Gear for your climb. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route include hotel pickup?
+
Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2 listed pickup locations in and around Moshi. Be ready about 720 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route offered in?
+
It is offered in English, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route?
+
Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route wheelchair or stroller accessible?
+
The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route if the weather is bad?
+
It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Moshi. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route?
+
Across 636 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Climbing Kilimanjaro - Machame Route.
Pick your date




