Information

The Machame route is also known as the Whiskey route, given its reputation for being a tough climb, in contrast to the easier Marangu route, which is known as the Coca Cola route. Unlike the gradual incline and hut accomodations found on the Marangu Route, the climbers on Machame hike steeper trails, for longer distances, while sleeping in tents.The Machame Route climb can be done in a minimum of six days on the mountain.

However, it is most often tackled over seven days, for a better altitude acclimatization schedule. The trek begins at Machame Gate, located in the southern base of mountain, within its lush, fertile rain forest. The route heads toward the Shira Plateau, before circling along the southern circuit halfway around the mountain, exposing the climber to great views from all angles. The approach to the summit is made from the east, and the descent follows the Mweka trail.

• 7 Days, Group: 3-8 people, Kilimanjaro

Tour Plan

• DAY 1: MACHAME GATE – MACHAME CAMP| RAIN FOREST

  Trekking Time: 4-6 hours | Distance: 9km | Altitude Gain: 1210m

  A one-hour drive from Moshi lays the gate to the Machame route, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and involves real jungle-bashing through magnificent forest. This path is less well-trodden & often wet & muddy underfoot. We camp at Machame camp (3100m)

• DAY 2: MACHAME CAMP – SHIRA CAMP| MOORLAND

  Trekking Time: 4-6 hours | Distance: 9km | Altitude Gain: 740m

  The route continues on up through the forest until we are at the steep ascent on the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt. Meru rising high above Arusha town. We camp at Shira caves (3840m).

• DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP| SEMI DESERT

  Trekking Time: 6-7 hours | Distance: 15km | Altitude Gain: 60m

  Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp at Barranco camp (3900m). The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of walk high, sleep low to avoid altitude sickness by aiding our bodies in acclimatization.

• DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP| ALPINE DESERT

  Trekking Time: 5-7 hours | Distance: 5km | Altitude Gain: 100m

  We start the day by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up what has been termed the Breakfast Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It is a climb over rocks, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga Valley (4000m) for overnight.

• DAY 5: HIKE KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP| ALPINE DESERT

  Trekking Time: 2-4 hours | Distance: 4km | Altitude Gain: 600m

  The day is characterized by a short hike on terrain formed by scree. We walk through arid and desolate land towards Barafu camp (4600m).

• DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT| GLACIERS

  Trekking Time: 6-8 hours | Distance: 7km| Altitude Gain: 1296m

  We avoid walking too long in the heat of the sun today by starting around midnight, walking steeply upwards to the Summit glaciers. You will be climbing scree for 5 to 6 hours but you gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5750m) as the first rays of the sun emerge. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hours walk takes us to our goal, the summit of Uhuru (5896m), the highest point

  Uhuru means freedom in Swahili. We begin the descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope back to Barafu camp for breakfast and a rest before finally heading down to Millennium Camp (3000 m) for a well-earned rest. On our descent we have fabulous views of the plains and Mawenzi peak.

  Trekking Time: 6-8 hours | Distance: 12km | Altitude Loss: 2896m

• DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE – MOSHI| RAIN FOREST

  Trekking Time: 4-5 hours | Distance: 10km | Altitude Loss: 1360m

  A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate (1640m), where we complete park formalities, are met by our vehicles, receive your certificate of ascent courtesy of the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority and drive back to your hotel to Moshi.