Machame Route
The second most popular option among climbers is the Machame route, known as “the Whiskey Route”. This route offers a wide variety of views, landscapes, and experiences. The starting point of the route, located on the southern slope of Mt Kilimanjaro, Machame Gate will lead you to the top of Kilimanjaro 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.
Camps along the trek are favorably located for a smooth and gradual acclimatization transition process. On the 3rd day, Machame Route converges with Lemosho and Umbwe at Barranco camp.
You can choose between a six or seven-day climb. The latter is highly preferred for better acclimatization transition.
General Expectations:
The Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey Route,” is one of the most popular and scenic paths to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. It typically takes 6 to 7 days to complete and offers a good balance of challenge, acclimatization, and stunning landscapes. Here’s what to expect:
- Scenic Diversity
The Machame Route offers breathtaking scenery, passing through multiple ecological zones:
- Rainforest Zone (Day 1-2): Lush greenery, towering trees, and possible encounters with wildlife like colobus monkeys.
- Moorland Zone (Day 2-3): Open landscapes with giant lobelias and senecios.
- Alpine Desert (Day 4-5): Harsh, rocky terrain with extreme temperature variations.
- Arctic Zone (Day 6-7): Glacier-covered summit area with freezing conditions and breathtaking views.
- Challenging Trekking Terrain
- The route is steeper than some alternatives, requiring good fitness.
- Barranco Wall: A famous steep rock scramble on Day 4, but no technical climbing is required.
- Summit Night: A tough overnight trek starting around midnight to reach Uhuru Peak at sunrise.
- Better Acclimatization
- The “trek high, sleep low” profile improves altitude acclimatization, increasing summit success rates.
- Average success rate is around 85% for the 7-day route.
- Camping Experience
- Unlike the Marangu Route, Machame does not have huts—camping is mandatory.
- Porters set up tents and carry supplies, while cooks prepare warm meals.
- Weather Variability
- Be prepared for rain in the forest, strong winds at high altitudes, and freezing temperatures near the summit.
- Dress in layers to adjust to the changing climate.
- Who Should Choose Machame?
- Trekkers with some hiking experience and good fitness.
- Those looking for stunning scenery and a more adventurous trek.
- Climbers who want a higher chance of summit success compared to shorter routes.
Day 1 – Arrival to Tanzania
Arrive into Tanzania. Upon arrival at the airport you will be met by our driver who will bring you to the hotel for the night
Day 2 – Arusha 1400M – Machame Gate 1800M to Machame Camp 2980M
-5 hours walking, 10 kms
Transport to Machame Gate (1 hour up to 1790m). Registration (sometimes it can take a few hours or so for this process). Trek to Machame Camp through beautiful montane forest on good path. Camp overnight at the edge of the forest.
Day 3 – Machame Camp 2980M to Shira Plateau 3840M
-6-7 hours walking, 7 kms
Machame camp to shira Plateau uphill through thin forest anfd into huge volcanic plateau. Camping is more exposed here with great view of the summit.
Day 4 – Shira Camp 3840m – Barranco Camp 3950m
-7-8 hours walking, 10 kms
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp traversing two valleys skirting the base of the summit massif. High desert environment with amazing rock formations, quite exposed to the weather, dropping into the Barranco Valley right beneath the Western Breach. This day ascends a maximum of 700 metres but the net height gain is only about 100 metres
Day 5 – Barranco camp 3950m – Karanga Valley Camp 3950m
-5 hours walking, 4 kms
Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley, starting with a scramble over the Barranco Wall and over a further two valleys to get to this open campsite with great views of the Heim Glacier. Another up and down day but no net gain in height, which is all good for acclimatisation.
Day 6 – 4-5 hours walking, 4 kms
Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp, heading upwards towards the open rock and colder temperatures. Barafu means ‘ice’ in Swahili and the camping is amongst the rocks. Early dinner.
Day 7 – Barafu Camp 4550M to UHURU PEAK 5895M to Millennium Camp 2800M
-7 hours up, 6 hours down, 18 kms
Summit day. Night-time ascent on rock and scree, snow and ice, to the crater rim and the summit. Expect cold temperatures with windchill. The final slope to the crater rim and Stella Point has loose scree and is very slow. From Stella Point it is a further 45 minutes up the escarpment to the summit of Uhuru. Descend in sunlight to Barafu for early lunch, and then walk down to Millennium Camp, normally arriving midafternoon.
Day 8 – Millennium Camp 2800M to Mweka Gate 1000M to Arusha
-4-6 hours walking, 11 kms
normally at about 2pm. The gate is where tips are handed out and you say goodbye to the mountain staff, although sometimes this is done at the hotel. A hot shower and an afternoon relaxing.
END OF THE TOUR
The climb cost includes for lemosho route:
Transfers:
- Pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport;
- Transfer to the trailhead – entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park;
- Pick-up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel;
Entry fees:
- All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park ( conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority).
Accommodation:
- One night at 3* hotel before the expedition and one night after; The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay – caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool);
- Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern, comfortable 4-Season tents North Face VE-25 or Kilimanjaro Tents).
Please note:
All accommodation is on sharing basis (i.e. you will be sharing with your travel companion a twin/double room in the hotel and a tent during the hike. If you travel alone, we will match you with a same-sex adventurer).
Meals:
- Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
- All meals on the hike. Our Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks.A typical diet on Kilimanjaro includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
- All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).
Hiking and safety equipment:
- 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
- All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);
- Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
- GPS-tracking service;
- Complete medical kits.
Climbing crew:
- Professional guides, licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All our guides are the holder of Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certifications. All our guides have 4+years of successful mountaineering experience;
- Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).
The climb cost excludes:
- Airline tickets;
- Visa fee;
- Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent);
- Personal gear rentals;
- Mountaineering insurance.
- This tour starts and ends in Arusha
- Book your own international flights when using this operator
- A transfer from and back to the airport is included
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost