At its 5,895m Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and is often known as ‘The roof of Africa’. Mount Kilimanjaro towers nearby Moshi in Tanzania.
The Machame route also known as the whiskey route is one of the most liked routes of Mount Kilimanjaro, and it takes its name whiskey from its difficulty level compared to other routes of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Machame route offers a great varied scenery of the mountain, as it ascends and descends on different sides of the mountain i.e. Western and northern sides respectively. In addition to that you will be able to see stunning physical features on this route i.e. the Shira plateau, the Lava tower and the Barranco wall.
This route takes a minimum of 6 days to complete however some prefer to take the 7 days option for better acclimatization. The Machame route has a total length of 62 km.
The Machame route is steeper especially on the first and a half day resulting from the main force of the Kibo’s volcanic activity occurring on the western side. This route is ideal for adventure enthusiasts looking for a more challenging yet rewarding experience.
Day 1: Machame Gate – Machame Camp
After breakfast at your accommodation your guide will pick you up to depart for Machame Gate, Approximately 1 hour drive from Moshi town. Upon arrival at Machame Gate your guide will work out on the climbing permit and authorities will weigh the porter’s luggage, whilst our chef prepares an early lunch for you, you’ll be able to explore this beautiful starting point. Immediately after clearing with the permits, porters weight check and lunch we will embark into the hiking trail that leads us through the beautiful rain forest of Mount Kilimanjaro. On arrival at Machame Camp our mountain crew will take care of the necessities and pitch the tents. Later in the evening enjoy freshly prepared dinner before retiring to your tent.
11 km
1,790 m – 3,010 m
5 – 7 hrs
Rain forest
Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Caves
After breakfast depart for Shira Camp, leaving the rain forest ascending to a steep rocky ridge towards Shira Plateau and its moorland. Upon arrival at Shira Camp you will enjoy your hot lunch and later in the afternoon you may opt to go for a short acclimatization hike with your guide before returning to camp for dinner and overnight.
5 km
3,010 m – 3,840 m
4 – 6 hrs
Heather | Moorland
Day 3: Shira Caves – Barranco Camp
After breakfast we continue our ascend passing by the Lava Tower. A challenging trek but important for a proper acclimatization, our team will set up for hot lunch at Lava tower altitude of 4,630 meter. After lunch we will descend to Barranco Camp. Our crew will pitch tents and prepare dinner before you retire to your tent for overnight.
10 km
3,840 m – 3,960 m
6–8 hrs
Moorland | Alpine desert
Day 4: Barranco Camp – Barafu Camp
After an early breakfast depart for Barafu Camp. The first half of today’s trek will be a challenging one summiting Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp, where you can rest a bit while enjoying your lunch. Followed by a less challenging trek to Barafu Camp. Upon arrival our team will setup base and prepare an early dinner. Make sure to get enough rest this day to prepare for the summit day.
10 km
3,960 m – 4,640 m
8–10 hrs
Alpine Desert
Day 5: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp
An early start around 01:00 hours begin the steep and altitude challenging climb to the roof of Africa. Our trained team will choose the best pace for the most mentally and physically demanding part of the trek, making sure to measure your oxygen level throughout the trek and help you reach the ultimate goal, Uhuru Peak. After successfully reaching “the rooftop of Africa”, enjoy the view and picture some memories before descending to Barafu camp for breakfast and short rest and later we will descend further to Mweka Camp for Lunch, dinner and overnight. Enjoy our last evening on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
5 km Ascent | 12 km Descent
4,640 m – 5,895 m – 3,080 m
6-8 hrs Ascent | 4-6 hrs Descent
Arctic | Alpine desert | Heather | Moorland | Rainforest
Day 6: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate
After breakfast depart for Mweka gate. The trek will be a short trek of 10 km downhill, which will take approximately 3-4 hours.
Upon arrival at the park headquarters at Mweka Gate we will collect our summit certificate, celebrate and our team will be ready to transfer you to hour hotel in Moshi.
10 km
3,080 m – 1,630 m
3–4 hrs
Rain forest
Day 1: Machame Gate – Machame Camp
After breakfast at your accommodation your guide will pick you up to depart for Machame Gate, Approximately 1 hour drive from Moshi town. Upon arrival at Machame Gate your guide will work out on the climbing permit and authorities will weigh the porter’s luggage, whilst our chef prepares an early lunch for you, you’ll be able to explore this beautiful starting point. Immediately after clearing with the permits, porters weight check and lunch we will embark into the hiking trail that leads us through the beautiful rain forest of Mount Kilimanjaro. On arrival at Machame Camp our mountain crew will take care of the necessities and pitch the tents. Later in the evening enjoy freshly prepared dinner before retiring to your tent.
11 km
1,790 m – 3,010 m
5–7 hrs
Rain forest
Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Caves
After breakfast depart for Shira Camp, leaving the rain forest ascending to a steep rocky ridge towards Shira Plateau and its moorland. Upon arrival at Shira Camp you will enjoy your hot lunch and later in the afternoon you may opt to go for a short acclimatization hike with your guide before returning to camp for dinner and overnight.
5 km
3,010 m – 3,840 m
4 – 6 hrs
Heather | Moorland
Day 3: Shira Caves – Barranco Camp
After breakfast we continue our ascend passing by the Lava Tower. A challenging trek but important for a proper acclimatization, our team will set up for hot lunch at Lava tower altitude of 4,630 meter. After lunch we will descend to Barranco Camp. Our crew will pitch tents and prepare dinner before you retire to your tent for overnight.
10 km
3,840 m – 3,960 m
6–8 hrs
Moorland | Alpine desert
Day 4: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp
After breakfast depart for Karanga Camp. We will begin by descending into a ravine directly at the base of the Barranco wall. This great wall takes over an hour to climb and you may need to use your hands on occasions to haul yourself up the rocks, challenging but fair. We do not need any mountaineering equipment.
After Barranco wall, we gently walk our way down into Karanga valley where another steep climb awaits us before we reach camp overlooking the valley. Both lunch and dinner will be served in this camp. Today’s hike will be a 6 km route taking approximately 4-5 hrs.
6 km
3,960 m – 3,995 m
4–5 hrs
Alpine Desert
Day 5: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp
After breakfast, we head for a 4 km route through the alpine desert to Barafu base camp. On reaching camp approximately after 3-4 hours hike, we will rest take lunch and later an early dinner and try to get some sleep before the ultimate challenge on our next day.
4 km
3,995 m – 4,640 m
3–4 hrs
Alpine desert
Day 6: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp
An early start at around midnight to begin the slow march up to Stella Point (5,745 m) on the edge of the Kibo crater. About an hour from here lays the ultimate goal, the great summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak – at 5,895 m, the highest point in Africa! Here, if we’re on time, we can watch the sun rise over the African continent, take photos and embrace the moment and feeling of being on the highest point of Africa. The ascending hike is 5 km and will approximately take 6-8 hours. After a rest at the top, we continue back down to Barafu where we take breakfast and relax for an hour, before continuing our march down the mountain. Today’s walk takes us back down through the alpine desert, heather and moorland zones further down to rain forest zone at Mweka Camp . Lunch, dinner and overnight. Enjoy our last evening on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
6 km Ascent | 12 km Descent
4,640 m – 5,895 m – 3,080 m
6-8 hrs Ascent | 4-6 Descent
Arctic | Alpine desert | Moorland | Heather | Rain forest
Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate
After breakfast depart for Mweka gate. The trek will be a short trek of 10 km downhill, which will take approximately 3-4 hours.
Upon arrival at the park headquarters at Mweka Gate we will collect our summit certificates, celebrate and our team will be ready to transfer you to hour hotel in Moshi.
10 km
3,080 m – 1,630 m
3–4 hrs
Rain forest
Inclusive Of:
- Transfers to and from the accommodation in Moshi to start and exit gate.
- Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees for non-resident adults (please request reduced rate for kids below 15 years)
- Guides, porters and chefs.
- Three meals a day on the climb.
- Full camping facilities, including mattress and sleeping bags, except for personal gear (available for rental at our office)
- Oxygen tank, frequent oxygen and pulse checks during the climb.
- Taxes.
- Airport transfers
- Pre-briefing & equipment check one day prior to the climb at the guest’s hotel/hostel in Moshi.
- Free city tour (walking) on the free day prior to the climb.
Exclusive Of:
- Accommodation before and after the climb (can be organized).
- Tips to crew (request for recommended tipping rates).
- Travel insurance.
- All items of personal nature.
- Beverages and laundry except where shown.
- Personal mountain climber gear (available for hire).
Do you have any queries or wish to tailor this tour? Please click here to contact us.
| 6 Days, Machame Route | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO. of PAX in one group | 1 PAX | 2-3 PAX | 4-6 PAX | 7+ PAX |
| Price pr. person | $2,293 | $1,916 | $1,663 | $1,603 |
| 7 Days, Machame Route | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO. of PAX in one group | 1 PAX | 2-3 PAX | 4-6 PAX | 7+ PAX |
| Price pr. person | $2,601 | $2,181 | $1,902 | $1,861 |
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