Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Group Size: Based on Minimum of 2 passengers
Departures: Scheduled departures throughout the year (private departures available)
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Climb to the ‘Roof of Africa’ and conquer her highest mountain at 5,895 metres at the peak. The Machame route has a gradual ascent and is considered to be the most beautiful scenically while passing through a variety of habitats with tropical rainforest, and offering outstanding views of the mountain and snows of the summit. This itinerary incorporates an extra day for the all important acclimatisation, increasing the chance of reaching the summit.

Machame Route itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International  Airport for your climb
• Day 2: Machame route 7 days, day 1: Machame Gate (1,800 m/ 5,905 ft) – Machame Camp (3,000m/ 9,840 ft)
• Day 3: Machame route 7 days, day 2: Machame Camp (3,000m/ 9,875 ft) to Shira Camp (3,840m/ 12,600 ft)
• Day 4: Machame route 7 days, day 3: Shira Camp (3,840 m/ 12,600 ft) – Lava Tower (4630 m/ 15,190 ft) – Barranco Camp (3,960m m/ 12,992 ft)
• Day 5: Machame route 7 days, day 4: Barranco Camp (3,960 m/ 12,992 ft) – Karanga Camp (4,035 m/ 13,238 ft)
• Day 6: Machame route 7 days, day 5: Karanga Camp (4,035 m/ 13,238 ft) – Barafu Camp (4,640 m/ 15,223 ft)
• Day 7: Machame route 7 days, day 6: Barafu Camp (4,640 m/ 15,100 ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/ 19,340 ft) to Millennium Camp (3,820 m/ 12,532 ft)
• Day 8: Machame route 7 days, day 7: Millennium Camp (3,820 m/ 12,532 ft) – Mweka Gate (1,650 m/ 5,380 ft) – Hotel
• Day 9 – 10: Flight home from Kilimanjaro (JRO) after the climb

Machame Route trekking Overview

The Machame Route is a popular trekking route for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The Machame route typically takes six to seven days to complete, starting from Machame Gate and ending at Mweka Gate. This trail offers stunning views, a reasonable challenge, and plenty of time to acclimate, making it a good choice for those who have a bit of extra time in their schedule. According to statistics from Kilimanjaro National Park, approximately 35% of all climbers on the mountain use it.

The 7-days Machame route itinerary, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is one of the most popular and scenic paths for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This route is favored for its gradual acclimatization profile, offering a higher success rate due to its “climb high, sleep low” strategy. The journey begins at the Machame Gate and traverses through lush rainforests, alpine deserts, and arctic zones, culminating in a challenging summit night from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak. The descent is via the Mweka route. This route’s diverse landscapes and rigorous trekking experience attract thousands of adventurers every year.

Machame Route Success Rate, Pros, and Cons 

The Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is one of the most popular routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, with a success rate of approximately 85%. Its main advantage is its scenic diversity, offering climbers stunning views of the mountain and its surroundings, which can enhance the overall trekking experience. Additionally, the route’s design follows the “climb high, sleep low” principle, which aids in acclimatization and increases the success rate of reaching the summit. However, the Machame Route is also known for its difficulty; it involves steep sections and can be quite challenging, especially for those who are less experienced in trekking. Furthermore, due to its popularity, it can become crowded, which might detract from the wilderness experience some climbers seek.

WHAT IS THE MACHAME ROUTE SCENERY LIKE?

The Machame Route, often referred to as the “Whiskey” route, is one of the most popular routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The scenery along this route is incredibly diverse and breathtaking. Starting from the Machame Gate, climbers pass through lush rainforests with towering trees and vibrant wildlife, before transitioning into moorland with heather and volcanic rock formations. As climbers ascend further, they traverse alpine desert landscapes with sparse vegetation and finally, the arctic zone near the summit, characterized by ice fields and barren lands. The route also offers stunning views of the mountain peaks and the surrounding plains.

HOW HARD IS THE MACHAME ROUTE?

The Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is considered the most challenging route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Despite being the most popular, it requires good physical fitness due to its steep, demanding trails and longer distances. The route involves six to seven days of trekking, with rapid altitude gain, which can lead to altitude sickness. However, it offers stunning and diverse scenery, making the challenging journey worthwhile for many climbers.

HOW BUSY IS THE MACHAME ROUTE?

The Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is one of the most popular routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Due to its popularity, it can be quite busy, especially during the peak climbing seasons of January-March and June-October. The route is known for its scenic beauty, but the high traffic can lead to crowded conditions at the campsites. Despite the crowds, many climbers prefer this route for its high success rate and the opportunity to acclimatize to the altitude.

KILIMANJARO MACHAME ROUTE DISTANCE

The Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is one of the most popular routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The total distance of the Machame route is approximately 62 kilometers or 37 miles from gate to gate. It is considered a difficult route, but with high success rates due to its “climb high, sleep low” approach for better acclimatization. The route typically takes 6-7 days to complete.

HOW MANY DAYS IS THE MACHAME ROUTE?

The Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is one of the most popular routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The trek typically takes six to seven days to complete, depending on the climber’s pace and acclimatization to the altitude. The route is known for its stunning views and varied landscapes, but it is also considered more challenging due to its steep trails.

8 DAYS CLIMBING KILIMANJARO – MACHAME ROUTE IN 6 DAYS

The 6-Day Machame Route Itinerary is a popular trekking route for adventurers aiming to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey Route,” is known for its scenic beauty, offering climbers stunning views of the mountain’s diverse ecosystems. The six-day journey typically starts from Machame Gate, winding through rainforests, moorlands, and alpine deserts, before reaching the summit via Stella Point. Despite its beauty, this route is challenging and requires good physical fitness due to its steep trails and the high altitude.

Day 1
On arrival in Kilimanjaro airport you’ll be driven to the base hotel. This evening you’ll have a briefing where you’ll be given details about the forthcoming climb and have a chance to ask any questions.

Day 2
After breakfast you’ll be driven to the park gates where you’ll meet your guides and porters who’ll play such an important role over the next few days. Having completed formalities (your guide will do the paperwork for you) you’ll set off on foot through the verdant forest. This is a gentle walk of about 5 hours leading to your camp at Machame camp.

Day 3
Today begins with a steep climb which gradually flattens out to an easier walk, still uphill. The zone you pass through today is known as the heath zone where you’ll see attractive helichrysum and lobelia plants. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys. After lunch the trail heads downhill a little before climbing again and reaching your camp at Shira Camp. The estimated walking time today is 6 hours.

Day 4
You’ll be walking uphill for about 5kms. You ascend into alpine desert and for those that are feeling strong you can even head up to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco camp. Lunch is taken as a picnic lunch on route. This is long day but pays dividends later on as you walk high and sleep low today – great acclimatisation day! It’ll take about 8 hours to complete today’s route, which ends up at Barranco Wall.

Day 5
From Barranco camp, famous for its giant groundsels, you ascend the Barranco wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga camp. Lunch is at Karanga before heading to Barafu in the afternoon. You are in desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp. But on the plus side you get great views of Mawenzi peak. An early dinner before heading to rest for a few hours. Overnight at Barafu Camp. This is a long day with about 8-9 hours walking today.

Day 6
This is it – summit day! You’ll be woken at about midnight with a hot drink before you set out, torch in hand, for the initial climb to Stella Point. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach Stella Point on the crater rim at around dawn. It’s then a relatively short final push to the summit, Uhuru Peak – The Roof of Africa!. You’ll see the glaciers and if the weather is clear may get wonderful views of the plains far below. Having achieved your goal, it’s time to head back down to Mweka Camp. You’ll arrive, exhausted but elated, by mid-afternoon.
This is a seriously long day with 12 – 16 hours hiking time. 4,600m – 5,895m -3,100m

Day 7
After breakfast you descend once again through montane forest and around mid day after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transfer back to the base hotel. Have a shower and a celebratory drink or two!

Day 8
Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport or your onward travels.

6 DAY MACHAME ROUTE PARK FEES

8 DAYS CLIMBING KILIMANJARO – MACHAME ROUTE IN 6 DAYS  – PRICES AND SERVICES

9 DAYS CLIMBING KILIMANJARO – MACHAME ROUTE IN 7 DAYS

The 7 Days Machame Route Itinerary is a popular trekking route for adventurers aiming to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. The Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey Route,” is renowned for its scenic beauty, offering climbers stunning views of the mountain’s diverse ecosystems. The seven-day journey typically starts from Machame Gate, winding through rainforests, moorlands, and alpine deserts, before reaching the summit via Stella Point. The descent is usually via the Mweka Route. This itinerary is challenging but does not require technical climbing skills, making it accessible for fit and well-prepared trekkers.

Day 1
On arrival in Kilimanjaro airport you’ll be driven to the base hotel. This evening you’ll have a briefing where you’ll be given details about the forthcoming climb and have a chance to ask any questions.

Day 2
After breakfast you’ll be driven to the park gates where you’ll meet your guides and porters who’ll play such an important role over the next few days. Having completed formalities (your guide will do the paperwork for you) you’ll set off on foot through the verdant forest. This is a gentle walk of about 5 hours leading to your camp at Machame camp. 3,000m

Day 3
Today begins with a steep climb which gradually flattens out to an easier walk, still uphill. The zone you pass through today is known as the heath zone where you’ll see attractive helichrysum and lobelia plants. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys. After lunch the trail heads downhill a little before climbing again and reaching your camp at Shira Camp. The estimated walking time today is 6 hours. 3,850m

Day 4
You’ll be walking uphill for about 5kms. You ascend into alpine desert and for those that are feeling strong you can even head up to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco camp. Lunch is taken as a picnic lunch on route. This is long day but pays dividends later on as you walk high and sleep low today – great acclimatisation day! It’ll take about 8 hours to complete today’s route, which ends up at Barranco Wall. 3,910m

Day 5
From Barranco camp, famous for its giant groundsels, you ascend the Barranco wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga Valley. Today is a relatively short day hiking and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. In the afternoon a walk can be taken with your guides for great views of the southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys. Overnight Karanga Camp. It’s just 4-5 hours walking today giving you plenty of time for acclimatisation. 4,100m

Day 6
Today is another half day ascending to Barafu camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. You are in desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp. But on the plus side you get great views of Mawenzi peak. An early dinner before heading to rest for a few hours. Overnight at Barafu Camp. It’s just 4-5 hours walking today but you’ll be gald of the rest before a big day tomorrow. 4,600m

Day 7
This is it – summit day! You’ll be woken at about midnight with a hot drink before you set out, torch in hand, for the initial climb to Stella Point. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach Stella Point on the crater rim at around dawn. It’s then a relatively short final push to the summit, Uhuru Peak – The Roof of Africa!. You’ll see the glaciers and if the weather is clear may get wonderful views of the plains far below. Having achieved your goal, it’s time to head back down to Mweka Camp. You’ll arrive, exhausted but elated, by mid-afternoon.
This is a seriously long day with 12 – 16 hours hiking time. 4,600m – 5,895m -3,100m

Day 8
After breakfast you descend once again through montane forest and around mid day after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transfer back to the base hotel. Have a shower and a celebratory drink or two!

Day 9
Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport or your onward travels.

7 DAYS MACHAME  ROUTE PARK FEES

9 DAYS CLIMBING KILIMANJARO – MACHAME ROUTE IN 7 DAYS  – PRICES AND SERVICES

What’s included

• 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 8 dinners
• 2 nights in a 3-star hotel in Marangu on a twin-share basis
• 6 nights of fully supported camping on a twin share tent basis
• Group camping equipment including a tent (sleeping bag and mat not included – can be hired locally)
• Experienced local mountain guides, cooks, and camp crew
• Porters to carry personal and group equipment
• Park entrance fees valued at US$968
• Emergency Oxygen

What’s not included

• International or domestic flights
• Arrival or departure transfers in Arusha
• Sleeping bags and mats
• Aerated and alcoholic drinks
• Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc
• Tips
• Airport and departure taxes
• Visa
• Travel Insurance (compulsory)
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary