Machame route in brief
The Machame route on Mount Kilimanjaro is known as the “Whiskey Route,” as it offers a challenging yet rewarding ascent. Trekkers experience diverse landscapes from rainforests to alpine deserts, encountering the unique Shira Plateau and tackling the iconic Barranco Wall.
The route’s gradual ascent aids acclimatization, contributing to a higher summit success rate. Wildlife sightings include colobus and blue monkeys, while lush flora decorates lower elevations. Camping in tents enhances the immersive experience, with strategically located campsites providing stunning views.
Machame route can be done in 6 days however; we highly recommend the seven-day itinerary to allow for optimal acclimatization.
Interesting facts about the Machame route
- Well known for its excellent acclimatization profile
- Machame route can be crowded especially during high season of June to October.
- You will witness Shira Plateau, a 10kms caldera formed after Shira peak eroded and collapsed.
- One of the highlights of Machame route is the Barranco Wall.
- Our Machame route offer starts at $2050 per person
Some photos from Machame route
Machame route Itineraries
6 Days Machame route, starts at $2050 per person
Distance: 11km
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: Tropical Rainforest
Altitude gain: 1035 meters
Ngowi’s Kilimanjaro team will lead you from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha to Machame gate, the starting point for this trek. After registrations and clearances at the Machame gate, you will commence the climb through a captivating forest, which offers glimpses of wildlife.
Today’s final destination is Machame Camp.
Distance: 5.4km
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Zone: Tropical Rainforest then Heath zone
Altitude gain: 915 meters
After breakfast, you will start today’s trek towards Shira Cave Camp (Simply known as Shira Camp). Today we will leave the tropical rainforest zone and enter the Heath zone. If the weather permits, you will have breathtaking view of Kibo Peak, and the Western Breach (an opening in the crater wall of the mountain).
Distance: 12 km
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High Alpine Desert zone
Altitude gain: 400 meters then attitude loss of 700 meters
After breakfast, we will bid farewell to Shira Cave Campsite with all its beautiful scenery and head towards Barranco Camp. En route, you will encounter the renowned Shark’s Tooth rock formation called Lava Tower at 4600 meters. Climbing to 4600 meters before descending to sleep at Barranco Camp (3900 meters) aids acclimatization, a strategic approach to the altitude. It will be a long trekking day. This day offers both physical and acclimatization benefits.
Distance: 17.5 km
Trekking time: 10-12 hours
Zone: High Alpine Desert
Altitude gain: 773 meters
This day marks the difference between the 7 days Machame route itinerary and 6 days Machame route itinerary. On this leg of the trek, instead of camping at Karanga like the 7-day route, you will skip it.
Before skipping the Karanga camp, you will have to conquer the Great Barranco Wall, a seemingly daunting 257-meter rock face, which is surprisingly manageable. No special gear or technical skills required—just careful scrambling. At the top of Barranco Wall, savor stunning views, snap photos, then navigate inclines and declines toward Karanga Camp.
You will then head to Barafu Camp, your base camp, after passing the Mweka Trail junction, enjoy an early dinner with breathtaking vistas of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Rest up here for the impending summit attempt.
Distance: Total 10 km to the summit and back to the base camp, then from base camp to Mweka Camp it will take approximately 11 km
Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit, then another 6-7 hours back to the base camp. From base camp to Mweka Camp you may spend 5-8 hours.
Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones.
Altitude gain: 1222 meters, altitude loss: 2795 meters.
Today you will have a test of both mental fortitude and physical endurance.
Summit night commences around 11:00 PM or 12:00 AM, dictated by the decision of your head guide. Before the ascent, a key tip: tuck snacks and a water bottle beneath your first layer for quick access. Adorned in proper trekking gear, the ascent begins with deliberate steps, adhering to the “pole pole” pace (slowly, slowly). A pivotal pause occurs at Stella Point (5756 meters), offering a brief break with snacks and hot tea.
After a fleeting rest at Stella Point, the journey persists towards Uhuru Peak. Following the summit triumph, a challenging descent follows. Descend to the base camp for a brief stay, then descend further down to Mweka Camp (3100 meters).
Distance: Total 10 km
Trekking time: 3-4 hours.
Zone: Moorlands at Mweka Camp then descending to Montane forest zone at Mweka gate.
Altitude loss: 1460 meters
Following breakfast at Mweka Camp, we will begin a concluding descent toward the exit gate (Mweka gate) through a lush tropical rainforest. At the Mweka Gate, complete the sign-out process. After administrative formalities, transportation will convey you to your hotel for you to have a well-deserved rest.
In the evening, reconvene for a farewell dinner, a celebration of shared triumphs and an opportunity for you to receive certificates of completion.
7 Days Machame route, starts at $2250 per person
Distance: 11km
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: Tropical Rainforest
Altitude gain: 1035 meters
Ngowi’s Kilimanjaro team will lead you from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha to Machame gate, the starting point for this trek. After registrations and clearances at the Machame gate, you will commence the climb through a captivating forest, which offers glimpses of wildlife.
Today’s final destination is Machame Camp.
Distance: 5.4km
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Zone: Tropical Rainforest then Heath zone
Altitude gain: 915 meters
After breakfast, you will start today’s trek towards Shira Cave Camp (Simply known as Shira Camp). Today we will leave the tropical rainforest zone and enter the Heath zone. If the weather permits, you will have breathtaking view of Kibo Peak, and the Western Breach (an opening in the crater wall of the mountain).
Distance: 12 km
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High Alpine Desert zone
Altitude gain: 400 meters then attitude loss of 700 meters
After breakfast, we will bid farewell to Shira Cave Campsite with all its beautiful scenery and head towards Barranco Camp. En route, you will encounter the renowned Shark’s Tooth rock formation called Lava Tower at 4600 meters. Climbing to 4600 meters before descending to sleep at Barranco Camp (3900 meters) aids acclimatization, a strategic approach to the altitude. It will be a long trekking day. This day offers both physical and acclimatization benefits.
Distance: 6 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: Moorlands
Altitude gain: 95 meters
The eagerly awaited summit night is upon you, where both your mental resilience and physical strength will be put to the ultimate test.
Today you will conquer the famous Great Barranco Wall (257 meters tall) to reach the top of Karanga Valley. Though the 257-meter rock face may seem daunting, the ascent is surprisingly manageable without the need for technical skills or specialized trekking gear.
However, you will need to be extra careful as you scramble to the wall’s apex, where breathtaking views await. Capture the moment with memorable photos before continuing through undulating terrains to Karanga Camp.
Distance: 4 km
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: High Alpine desert zone
Altitude gain: 678 meters
Our trek today concludes the Southern Circuit. En route, you may encounter fellow trekkers descending towards Mweka Campsite (one of the campsite when you descend the mountain via the Mweka route) at the Mweka Trail junction. Today’s destination is at Barafu campsite, one of the base camps on Mount Kilimanjaro.
If the weather permits, you will have great views of both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
An early dinner sets the stage for rest, crucial preparation for the impending summit attempt.
Distance: Total 10 km to the summit and back to the base camp, then from base camp to Mweka Camp it will take approximately 11 km
Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit, then another 6-7 hours back to the base camp. From base camp to Mweka Camp you may spend 5-8 hours.
Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones.
Altitude gain: 1222 meters, altitude loss: 2795 meters.
Today you will have a test of both mental fortitude and physical endurance.
Summit night commences around 11:00 PM or 12:00 AM, dictated by the decision of your head guide. Before the ascent, a key tip: tuck snacks and a water bottle beneath your first layer for quick access. Adorned in proper trekking gear, the ascent begins with deliberate steps, adhering to the “pole pole” pace (slowly, slowly). A pivotal pause occurs at Stella Point (5756 meters), offering a brief break with snacks and hot tea.
After a fleeting rest at Stella Point, the journey persists towards Uhuru Peak. Following the summit triumph, a challenging descent follows. Descend to the base camp for a brief stay, then descend further down to Mweka Camp (3100 meters).
Distance: Total 10 km
Trekking time: 3-4 hours.
Zone: Moorlands at Mweka Camp then descending to Montane forest zone at Mweka gate.
Altitude loss: 1460 meters
Following breakfast at Mweka Camp, we will begin a concluding descent toward the exit gate (Mweka gate) through a lush tropical rainforest. At the Mweka Gate, complete the sign-out process. After administrative formalities, transportation will convey you to your hotel for you to have a well-deserved rest.
In the evening, reconvene for a farewell dinner, a celebration of shared triumphs and an opportunity for you to receive certificates of completion.
Not sure what to choose?
Price Includes and Excludes
Includes
- Expert Guidance from our professional and experienced guides
- Services of porters through out the climb
- Accommodation in shared tents, mattress included
- Pre and post climb accommodation (two nights in total)
- Nutritious and delicious meals to fuel your adventure
- All entrance fees and permits for Kilimanjaro National Park
- Transportation to and from the Kilimanjaro gates
- First aid kit, bottled oxygen and pulse oximeter
- Portable toilet
- Farewell dinner
Excludes
- International flights
- Personal expenses
- Personal trekking gears. Click here to see a packing list.
- Gratuity for guides, porters and support staff
- Alcohol and extra snacks
- Additional accommodation required before or after the trek
- Optional activities such as day trips and safari
- Travel insurance
- Visa