Machame Route – 7 Days “Whiskey Route”
Overview
The Machame Route is one of the most popular and scenic trails to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Known as the “Whiskey Route” because of its challenge compared to the easier Marangu Route, Machame offers breathtaking landscapes, from lush rainforests and moorlands to alpine deserts and the icy summit of Uhuru Peak. Approaching the mountain from the southwest, climbers enjoy varied terrain, diverse vegetation zones, and stunning panoramic views.
Duration: 7 days
Difficulty: Challenging but highly rewarding
Scenery: Forests, Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Barranco Wall, glaciers
Accommodation: Camping in tents throughout the trek
Day 1: Machame Gate → Machame Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 1,790 m → 3,000 m | 11 km / 5–7 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Rainforest; giant ferns, fig trees, moss, orchids
Temperature Ranges: 15–20°C daytime, 10°C night
Meals & Accommodation: Lunch & Dinner | Camping at Machame Camp
Activities & Highlights: Registration at the gate, trek through lush rainforest, possible sightings of colobus monkeys and tropical birds.
Day 2: Machame Camp → Shira Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 3,000 m → 3,840 m | 5 km / 4–6 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Heath zone; heathers, giant lobelias, wildflowers
Temperature Ranges: 10–15°C daytime, ~5°C night
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Shira Camp (tents)
Activities & Highlights: Climb out of the forest into open moorland, traverse volcanic ridges, arrive at the Shira Plateau with wide views of Kibo Peak.
Day 3: Shira Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 3,840 m → 4,630 m → 3,950 m | 10 km / 6–8 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Semi-desert to Alpine desert; sparse shrubs, volcanic rocks
Temperature Ranges: Day 5–10°C, night below 0°C
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Barranco Camp
Activities & Highlights: Acclimatization climb up to Lava Tower, then descend to Barranco; a vital “climb high, sleep low” day for altitude adjustment.
Day 4: Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 3,950 m → 4,035 m | 5 km / 4–5 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Alpine desert; rocky terrain with giant groundsels
Temperature Ranges: 5–10°C daytime, below freezing at night
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Karanga Camp
Activities & Highlights: Famous Barranco Wall scramble, breathtaking ridgeline walk, panoramic valley views.
Day 5: Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 4,035 m → 4,680 m | 4 km / 4–5 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Alpine desert; barren volcanic terrain
Temperature Ranges: Cold, often below freezing at night
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Barafu Camp
Activities & Highlights: Short, steep climb, afternoon rest and early dinner before summit attempt.
Day 6: Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Daily Elevations & Distance: 4,680 m → 5,895 m → 3,100 m | 16 km / 12–15 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Arctic zone at the summit; no vegetation → Rainforest at descent
Temperature Ranges: -7°C to -20°C at summit, warming as you descend
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Mweka Camp
Activities & Highlights: Midnight departure for summit push via Stella Point, arrive at Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) at sunrise, then descend to Mweka Camp.
Day 7: Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate
Daily Elevations & Distance: 3,100 m → 1,640 m | 10 km / 3–4 hrs
Habitats & Vegetation: Rainforest; lush jungle, wildflowers, monkeys
Temperature Ranges: 15–25°C daytime
Meals & Accommodation: Breakfast & Lunch | Transfer to hotel
Activities & Highlights: Easy descent through rainforest, certificate presentation at the gate, celebration of your achievement.
✅ Inclusions (What’s Included)
All park fees, camping/hut fees, and government taxes
Professional mountain guides, cook, and porters
Rescue fees (as required by Kilimanjaro National Park)
Airport transfers (Kilimanjaro International Airport – Moshi/Arusha)
All meals during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Drinking water (treated and safe)
Accommodation before and after the climb (standard hotel, double occupancy)
Camping equipment (tents, chairs, tables, mattresses) – except personal sleeping bags
Oxygen cylinder, pulse oximeter & first aid kit for emergencies
Hot water for washing daily
Transport to and from the Kilimanjaro gate
❌ Exclusions (What’s Not Included)
International flights & visas
Travel insurance & medical evacuation coverage
Personal climbing gear (sleeping bags, trekking poles, clothing, boots, etc.)
Tips for guides, porters, and cook (highly recommended)
Alcoholic & soft drinks at hotels and on the mountain
Extra nights in hotels due to early arrival, late departure, or early mountain exit
Personal expenses (laundry, phone, internet, souvenirs, etc.)
Optional activities before/after the climb (safaris, cultural tours, Zanzibar extensions)
Machame Route
