Machame Route – 6 Days Overview

The Machame Route, known as the “Whiskey Route”, is one of Kilimanjaro’s most popular and scenic trails. Over 6 days, trekkers pass through rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and glaciers before reaching the summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895m). While this shorter itinerary is more challenging and does not allow as much time to acclimatize compared to the 7-day Machame, it remains a rewarding adventure for fit climbers seeking a classic Kilimanjaro experience.

DAY O: ARRIVAL TO TANZANIA.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to your hotelin Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.

Day 1: Hotel to Machame Camp
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
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 area good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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.

Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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 afterthe 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.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 9km/6mi
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elev 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev 4050m/13,250ft) to the junctionwhich connects with the Mweka Trail. 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 with views of the summit in the distance.

Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Millennium Camp
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 7km/4.5mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 2-3 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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 Kilimanjaroand the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Millennium Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for theloose gravel going down. We arrive at Millennium Camp and enjoy our last evening on themountain.

Day 6: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
Elevation: 3900m/12,795ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 13km/7mi
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
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).
Our vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).

DAY 7: HOTEL TO AIRPORT
After breakfast, you continue with your travel plans or take a transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.

KILIMANJARO ROUTES

• marangu route
• Machame route
• Lemosho route
• Shira route
• Rongai route
• Northern Circuit route
• Umbwe route

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