About the Machame Route 

Machame Route is popularly known as the “Whiskey” route. This route begins at Machame Gate, and takes 6 days, lying on the southern base of the mountain, surrounded by in a green lush rainforest. We climb to the Shira Plateau, then traverse the mountain beneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Icefield, before summiting from Barafu Hut. Machame is a good choice for people who want to enjoy a scenic hike on a challenging route in the shortest amount of time. All overnights are done by setting up a tent for sleeping and dinning. Meals will be cooked by your chef and water will be boiled and treated for drinking.

Machame Route 7-Day Itinerary 

Day 1: Machame Camp
Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

  • Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft

  • Distance: 11km/7mi

  • Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

  • Habitat: Montane Forest

  • Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Shira Camp
After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

  • Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft

  • Distance: 5km/3mi

  • Walking Time: 4-5 hours

  • Habitat: Moorland

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Lava Tower to Barranco Camp 
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

  • Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft

  • Distance: 10km/6mi

  • Walking Time: 5-6 hours

  • Habitat: Semi-desert

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

  • Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft

  • Distance: 5km/3mi

  • Climbing Time: 3-4 hours

  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Barafu Camp
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

  • Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft

  • Distance: 4km/2mi

  • Climbing Time: 3-4 hours

  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Summit to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

  • Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft

  • Down to 3090m/10,150ft

  • Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down

  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

  • Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Gate
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

A vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha (about 30 to 60 minutes).

  • Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

  • Distance: 10km/6mi

  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

  • Habitat: Forest

  • Meals: Breakfast