Machame Route overview
The Machame Route, also known as the Whiskey Route, is one of the most popular and classic trails for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. At Kilimap Adventures, we organize hundreds of expeditions annually along this trail, which begins in a lush tropical forest. The Machame Route is available in both 6-day and 7-day variations, with the 7-day option offering a significantly better acclimatization profile and higher summit success rate. The Machame 7-day route is an excellent choice, offering stunning views and being suitable for beginners.
Hiking this route provides the opportunity to experience all five climatic zones of Mount Kilimanjaro. You'll also tackle the famous Barranco Wall and marvel at the unique Dendrosenecio kilimanjari – alien-looking plants found only on Kilimanjaro, making this a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
The name Machame not only refers to the specific location on the mountain but also to an ethnic and linguistic group that historically inhabited this region. The term Mchame is a sub-tribe of the Chagga people, who integrated into the larger Chagga community of the Kilimanjaro region.
The first person to rule Machame was Von der Decken, commonly known as Baron by the Chagga people. He established Mchame as a
confederation of western Chagga states, which included Narumu, Kindi, Kombo, and extended to the western end of Kibongoto. Each of
these regions had its own chief, but they were all united under the King of Machame, Lambogo. Later, the region became known as
Kibosho, ruled by the powerful chief Sina, and it included areas such as Kilema.
Map of Machame Route
success Rate Machame Route
Here are the summit success rates for our Machame Route expeditions:
- Machame 6-Day – Crater Rim: 95.0%, Uhuru Peak: 89.3%
- Machame 7-Day – Crater Rim: 97.1%, Uhuru Peak: 95.1%
As you can see, the Machame 7-Day itinerary has a significantly higher summit success rate compared to the 6-day option. In fact, the 7-day route is among the most successful itineraries for reaching the summit. On the third day, it converges with the Lemosho and Umbwe routes, and all three routes continue together to the summit as one.
Overall, the Machame 7-Day route is an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced trekkers, offering a higher chance of success with a more gradual acclimatization process.
MACHAME ROUTE ITINERARIES
7 Day Machame Itinerary
Destination: Kilimanjaro via Machame Route.
Major Attractions:Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest .
Tour Guides Language: English.
Starting Point: Moshi.
Ending Point: Moshi.
Route Accessibility: This route approaches the mountain from the south via Machame gate. The trail passes through the tropical rainforest to Shira plateau which finally leads to the summit.
Additional info: We provide porters and cooks for guidance and assistance while on the mountain.
DAY 1:
Machame Gate (1800Mamsl) to Machame Hut (2835Mamsl)
Transfer from the hotel in Moshi to arrive at Machame gate for registration formalities. Start a steady climb at the gate and take the trail leads rain forest. The path continues to Machame hut to arrive in the evening where hot water will be served for washing. Sign in again while you are at the campsite and later have some hot tea with popcorns and biscuit. Stay at the campsite when you just waiting for the dinner and overnight.
Distance: 10 Kilometers.
Time: 5 Hours walking.
Zone: Moorland.
DAY 2:
Machame Hut (2835Mamsl) to Shira Cave (3750Mamsl)
Climb through moorland zone which provides stunning view of Kibo peak. The trail leads to Shira cave to arrive in the afternoon. Rest and have refreshments upon arrival while waiting for the hot dinner.
Distance: 5 Kilometers.
Time: 4 Hours walking.
Zone: Moorland.
DAY 3:
Shira Cave (3750Mamsl) to Lava Tower (4600Mamsl) Baranco Hut (3900Mamsl)
Hike from the Shira cave and the process meant to acclimatize through to lava tower which is 4600Mamsl and go down to Baranco hut which is 3900Mamsl just to adjust the body. Rest for a while at the tower and wait for the lunch. Start descending the tower and finally arrive at Baranco hut for the dinner and overnight stay.
Distance: 10 Kilometers.
Time: 7 Hours walking.
Zone: Moorland.
DAY 4:
Barranco Hut (3900Mamsl) to Karanga Camp (3995Mamsl)
Start a steep climb up the top Baranco wall which is 4200Mamsl for acclimatization for few minutes. Continue with the trail to reach Karanga Hut 3995Mamsl for the lunch and a long rest. Rest and have refreshments while waiting for dinner.
Distance: 6 Kilometers.
Time: 4 Hours walking.
Zone: Alpine desert.
DAY 5:
Karanga Hut (3995Mamsl) to Barafu Camp (4673Mamsl)
Trek out of Karanga camp to reach mweka junction 4500Mamsl.Proceed with the hike to join mweka trail which finally leads to Barafu hut. Take as much rest and water upon arrival to prepare your body for the final summit. Dinner and overnight at the campsite. It’s recommended to sleep early by 19:00.
Distance: 4 Kilometers.
Time: 3Hours walking.
Zone: Alpine desert zone.
DAY 6:
Ascend to the Summit of Uhuru Peak (5895Mamsl)
Wake up around 23:00 for adding more warm clothes and headlamps.Leave the camp and start summiting by midnight into the glacial zone.The path leads to Stella point 5756Mamsl.Have time for the sun rise pictures and a short rest for 5 to 10 minutes while having water or hot tea at Stela point.For the climbers who have experienced AMS are advised to start descending, however for those interested can take a round trip along the crater rim to reach Uhuru Peak 5895Mamsl.Proceed by descending from the summit, have a short rest to the base camp again for 2 hours. Have some branch, repark your gears and start to descend to mweka hut 3100M amsl pole pole through mweka route.
Distance: 7.5 Kilometers.
Time: 4 Hours.
Zone: Moorland.
DAY 7:
Mweka Hut (3100Mamsl) to Mweka Gate (1640Mamsl)
After a hot breakfast, continue hiking through the beautiful green forest to arrive at Mweka gate.Take time to show gratitude to the crew by tipping guides, cooks and porters.Get awarded with certificates whereby golden certificates are given to hikers who reached Uhuru peak and green certificates for Stella point hikers.Retreat back to Mweka village for a drive to Moshi town for resting or airport for a flight back at home.
Distance: 10 Kilometers.
Time: 3 Hours walking.
Zone: Rain forest.
$ 1650
STARTING FROM $1650 PER PERSON IN A GROUP TREK
6 Day Machame Itinerary
Destination: Kilimanjaro via Machame Route
Major Attractions:Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain
Tour Guides Language: English
Starting Point: Moshi
Ending Point: Moshi
Route Accessibility: This route approaches the mountain from the south via Machame gate. The trail passes through the tropical rainforest to Shira plateau which finally leads to the summit.
Additional info: We provide porters and cooks for guidance and assistance while on the mountain.
DAY 1:
Machame Gate (1800M) to Machame Hut (2835M)
Transfer from the hotel in Moshi to arrive at Machame gate for registration formalities. Start a steady climb at the gate and take the trail leads rain forest. The path continues to Machame hut to arrive in the evening where hot water will be served for washing. Sign in again while you are at the campsite and later have some hot tea with popcorns and biscuit. Stay at the campsite when you just waiting for the dinner and overnight.
Distance: 10 Kilometers.
Time: 5 Hours walking.
Zone: Moorland.
DAY 2:
Machame Hut (2835M) to Shira Cave (3750M)
Climb through moorland zone which provides stunning view of Kibo peak. The trail leads to Shira cave to arrive in the afternoon. Rest and have refreshments upon arrival while waiting for the hot dinner.
Distance: 5 Kilometers.
Time: 4 Hours walking.
Zone: Moorland.
DAY 3:
Shira Cave (3750M) to Lava Tower (4600M) Baranco Hut (3900M)
Hike from the Shira cave and the process meant to acclimatize through lava tower which is 4600M and descend down to Baranco hut which is 3900M just to adjust the body. Rest for a while at the tower and wait for the lunch. Start descending the tower and finally arrive at Baranco hut for the dinner and overnight stay.
Distance: 10 Kilometers.
Time: 7 Hours walking.
Zone: Moorland.
DAY 4:
Baranco Hut (3900M) to Barafu Hut (4673M)
Start to climb up the baranco wall which is 4200M for the water and picture brake. Continue with the trail to reach Karanga hut 3995M for the lunch and a short rest. After lunch start again to walk “pole pole” to climb the Karanga clef leads to Barafu hut. Arrive at the base camp for lunch and take a long rest while waiting for the dinner. Prepare yourself for the summit by getting enough time to rest and sleep early around 7:00pm.
Distance: 10 Kilometers.
Time: 7 Hours walking.
Zone: Alpine desert.
DAY 5:
Ascend to the Summit of Uhuru Peak (5895M)
Wake up around 23:00 for adding more warm clothes and head lamp. Leave the campsite and start summiting by midnight into the glacial zone. The path leads to Stella point 5756M. Have time for the sun rise pictures and a short rest for 5 to 10 minutes while having water or hot tea at Stella point. For the climbers who have experienced AMS are advised to start descending down, however for those interested can take a round trip along the crater rim to reach Uhuru Peak 5895M. Proceed by descending down from the summit, have a short rest to the base camp again for 2 hours. Have some lunch, repack your gears and start to descend down to Mweka hut 3100M“pole pole” through Mweka route.
Distance: 5 Kilometers.
Time: 6/7Hours walking.
Zone: Alpine/Glacial zone.
DAY 6:
Mweka Hut (3100M) to Mweka Gate (1640M)
After the hot breakfast, continue hiking through the beautiful green forest to arrive at Mweka gate. Get awarded with certificates whereby golden certificates are given to hikers who reached at Uhuru peak and green certificates for Stella point hikers. Retreat back to Mweka village for a drive to Moshi town for resting or airport for the flight back at home. “Normally tipping can be done to the last campsite or at the certain gate”.
Distance: 10 Kilometers.
Time: 3 Hours walking.
Zone: Rain forest.
$ 1550
STARTING FROM $1550 PER PERSON IN A GROUP TREK
