The famous Machame Route

Because of its easy access and shorter schedule, the Machame Route is one of the most popular routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, if not the most popular route overall. Trekkers adore this route because it offers stunning vistas and a diversity of habitats, and it’s also one of the more affordable routes. Forty percent of hikers scale Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route, according to information provided by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authorities. Also, the majority of experienced climbers select this route.

The Whiskey Route, also known as the Machame Route, earned its name as the more difficult route to ascend compared to the Coca-Cola Route, or the simpler Marangu Route.

The Machame Route is a challenging route because climbers have to face a sharp ascent up Kibo on summit night in addition to ascending the Barranco Wall on day 4. The entire Machame Route is roughly 62 kilometers from gate to gate, and there are no sections that call for technical climbing expertise.

A six- or seven-day trek/itinerary can be used to finish the Machame route; both choices involve a significant ascent and a low sleep on the acclimatization day.

The Machame Route 7-Days Itinerary: 

Day 1: Travel from 1,640 meters to 2,835 meters at Machame Gate to Machame Camp

About 11 kilometers or 7 miles

Time spent trekking: 5-7 hours

Zone: Forested

It takes around an hour to get from Moshi or two hours to get to the gate from Arusha. The first day of the journey starts at Machame Gate (1,640 meters).

You will see vistas of Machame Town and substance farming along the route.

There will be a flurry of activity as porters gather supplies for the trip and weigh packs to ensure they don’t exceed 20 kilograms. At the gate, you will meet your trekking crew, which includes the cook, guide, and porters.

Along with the guides and climbing crew, trekkers will start their journey through the breathtaking jungle that stretches south-west of the mountain. The first day of the Machame Route trek is a lengthy one, covering 11 kilometers (7 miles) and taking about 5-7 hours to finish.

During the hike, a packed lunch and two to three liters of bottled water will be supplied.

The day’s hike culminates in Machame Camp (2,835 meters), which is close to the boundary between the low alpine and rainforest zones. When you get there, your porters will have already set up your tent and camp, and dinner will be provided.

Day 2: Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters) to Machame Camp (2,835 meters)

About 5 km or 3 miles away

Length of trek: 4-6 hours

Zone: Alpine lowland

Day 2: You will get up early, pack your bags, and get ready for the 3,850-meter hike from Machame Camp to Shira Camp 2. The hike gets a little more challenging as you get closer to the low alpine region, which is defined by moorlands and meadows. Located on a plateau, Shira Camp 2 offers you the earliest views of Mount Meru in the east and Kibo in the north-west. Day 2 covers a distance of 5 kilometers (3 miles) in about 4-6 hours.

Day 3: From 3,850 meters at Shira Camp 2 to 4,600 meters at Lava Tower, and finally to 3,900 meters at Barranco Camp

Length: 11 kilometers (7 miles)

Time spent trekking: 5-7 hours

Zone: High-altitude / Low-altitude

Day 3 is an arduous trek eastward from the Shira Plateau through the “Garden of the Senecios” to reach Lava Tower and the 4,600-meter-high Shark’s Tooth rock formation. From there, it descends along the Southern Circuit to Burranco camp, which is situated at 3,900 meters.

The journey takes five to seven hours to finish and is around eleven kilometers long.

Even though you finish the day at a much lower height than when you began at Shira Camp, it is still regarded as one of the most crucial because it allows you to acclimate properly by allowing you to climb high and sleep low.

Day 4: Travel from 3,900-meter Barranco Camp to 3,960-meter Karanga Camp

Distance: 7.5 miles / 12 kilometers

Time spent trekking: 6-7 hours

Zone: High-mountain region

On the fourth day of the walk, the Machame Route starts with a strenuous ascent up the 257-meter Barranco wall, a rock face that demands some basic scrambling techniques to reach the top of the Karanga Valley. After there, the trail descends and climbs a number of times before arriving at Karanga Camp (3,960 meters).

On the fifth day of the seven-day trek, trekkers stay the night at Karanga Camp before proceeding to Barafu; this extra day aids in acclimatization.

If your journey lasts six days, you will stop at Karanga Camp for lunch before continuing down the Southern Circuit all the way to Barafu Camo (4,680 meters), where it meets the Mweka Trail. For those who hike for six days, the fourth day covers 9.5 kilometers and takes about eight to ten hours to accomplish.

You will be given an early dinner upon your arrival at Barafu about mid-afternoon, and it is advised that you get some sleep as the summit trek begins at around 24:00 that evening.

Day 5-Barafu Camp (4,680 m) to Karanga Camp (3,960 m)

Distance: 4 miles or 6 km

Three hours were spent trekking.

Zone: High-mountain region

The trail begins at Karanga Camp and joins the Mweka track on Day 5, which is a brief and easy day that goes up to Base Camp Baraful at 4,680 meters.

It is advised that you take advantage of the easy trekking to unwind and get ready for the summit push.

On day six, go from Barafu Camp (4,680 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and finally Mweka Camp (3,100 meters).

About 4.5 km (3 miles) of elevation gain followed by an 11 km (7 miles) fall

Trekking time: 6–8 hours to the top, then 5-8 hours to Mweka.

Zone: The glacial zone and every zone that came before it

Day 6, which is summit night and day, you will be roused up at 23:30 with biscuits and hot tea. Hopefully, you were able to catch a few hours of sleep. If not, don’t panic, since most people have trouble falling asleep before summit night.

But before you abruptly depart at 24:00, make sure that everything in your kits—warm clothing, a headlamp, insulated water bottles, and snacks—is ready.

The challenge is to maintain your momentum while climbing Kibo, one step at a time, as the ascent is gradual and steep. Reaching the top of the crater rim, where Stella Point (5,739 meters) is marked, takes between 6 and 8 hours.

We advise taking a quick break and maybe grabbing some hot tea or hot chocolate at Stella Point. Although you may still hike 156 meters to reach Uhuru Peak along the crater rim, Stella Point is not the peak of Kilimanjaro. Dawn should be drawing near, so stop to appreciate where you are and then find the strength to keep going till you reach the top. Most climbers can reach the summit if they can gather the mental will to persevere, but more than 60% of them give up at Stella Point. It goes without saying that you should descend right away if you are exhibiting AMS symptoms.

Following your 4.5 km/3 mi trek to the top of Kilimanjaro, you still have 11 km/7 mi to descend to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters), which can be rather taxing on your joints. It is advised that you wear gaiters and trekking poles to prevent fine glacial sand from entering inside your boots. Given that Mweka is located in the upper reaches of the rainforest, the abundance of moisture and oxygen in the air will come as a very pleasant surprise.

Day 7: From 3,100 meters at Mweka Camp to 1,640 meters at Mweka Gate

About 9 kilometers (5.5 miles)

Three to five hours for trekking

Zone: Forested

The seventh and last day of the Machame Route walk takes three to four hours. If you make it to either Stella Point or Uhuru Peak, you will receive an official certificate, with a gold certificate for Uhuru Peak and a green certificate for Stella Point.