The Machame route also referred to as the Whiskey route, is one of the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro and a favorite for Green Tours Tanzania. Despite being a tough climb compared to the Marangu route, the Machame route has one of the highest summit success rates given the topography of the route which allows climbers to “trek high & sleep low” hence making it a more favorable route for acclimatization. Unlike the Marangu Route which is a gradual ascent, the Machame route has steeper trails and climbers walk longer distances.
This route offers some of the most spectacular scenery while on the mountain. The Machame route starts on the southwest side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Lemosho routes at the Shira camp. The Machame route can be done in a minimum of 6 days but a 7-day trek is recommended so climbers are well rested and acclimatized before making the final ascent to the summit.
Day 1: Arrival in Kilimanjaro
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by a Green Tours Tanzania representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. Your guide will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Meals
Meals are not included. You have the option of having lunch and/or dinner at the hotel or a restaurant in town.
Accommodation
Accommodation is at the Weru Weru River Lodge on a Bed & Breakfast basis. Alternative accommodation of the same standard will be provided if the primary accommodation option is unavailable
*For those on a lower budget, you can request alternative accommodation at a lower price or no accommodation as part of the package.
Day 2: Machame Gate (1,817m / 5,961ft) to Machame Camp (3,021m / 9,911ft)
Half an hour’s drive from Moshi lies the gate to the Machame route, where you will complete park registrations, and then you are off on your 6-day trek. The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.
Distance
10km / 6.2mi
Duration
6 – 7 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.
Day 3: Machame Camp (3,021m / 9,911ft) to Shira Camp (3,830m / 12,566ft)
Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto 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 City in the distance.
Distance
4.8km / 3mi
Duration
5 – 6 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on a sharing basis.
Day 4: Shira Camp (3,830m / 12,566ft) to Barranco Camp (3,972m / 13,031ft)
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. The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.
Distance
10km / 6.2mi
Duration
7 – 8 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on a sharing basis.
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3,972m / 13,031ft) to Barafu Camp (4,640m / 15,223ft)
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up between 11 pm and 12 pm to start the climb to the summit.
Distance
8.5km / 5.3mi
Duration
7 – 8 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on a sharing basis.
Day 6: Barafu Camp (4640m / 15,223ft) to UHURU PEAK (5895m / 19,340ft) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m / 12,434ft)
We start at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views of the jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Distance
13.4km / 8.3mi
Duration
12 – 15 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on a sharing basis.
Day 7: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m / 12,434ft) to Mweka Gate (1630m / 5,348ft)
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration.
Distance
12.1km / 7.5mi
Duration
6 – 7 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation
Accommodation is at the Weru Weru River Lodge on a Bed & Breakfast basis. Alternative accommodation of the same standard will be provided if the primary accommodation option is unavailable.
*For those on a lower budget, you can request alternative accommodation at a lower price or no accommodation as part of the package.
Day 8: Depart Kilimanjaro
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*We also welcome you to spare an hour of your day to plant a tree, as part of our environmental conservation efforts in the Kilimanjaro region.
*Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania
Meals
Breakfast Included
