The Machame route, also known as the Whiskey Route, is a classic Kilimanjaro trail. It’s one of the most popular routes to climb Kilimanjaro. We at Untamed Safaris organize hundreds of expeditions annually along this trail that starts in a beautiful tropical forest. The Machame route is available in 6- and 7-day variations, with the second offering a significantly better acclimatization profile and summit success rate. Machame 7 is a great route with amazing views suitable even for beginners. You will enjoy hiking through all five climatic zones of Kilimanjaro, scale the picturesque Barranco Wall, and marvel at the alien-looking Dendrosenecio kilimanjari – truly unique plants that are not found anywhere else in the world.
Day 0: ARRIVAL – DRIVE TO MOSHI
Welcome to Tanzania: Meet and greet at arrival point by our transferring driver who will escort you to the waiting vehicle for loading your luggage then drive you to the Hotel in Moshi town. After checking in the hotel you will get a briefing about your next day’s trek then your mountain guide will check your gears. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing at the pool or exploring the town of Moshi.
ACCOMMODATION
Sellinero Hotel
Day 1: DRIVE FROM MOSHI TO MACHAME GATE 1490M – HIKE TO MACHAME CAMP 2980M
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to the Machame gate. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your waiting lounge registering with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the lookout for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! About halfway up the trail, you will have a lunch break and you will reach the Machame Camp (2980) in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chefs who move very fast up the mountain will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served followed by overnight.
The Machame Route 6 Days starts here.
MEALS
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
ACCOMMODATION
Machame camp
Day 2: MACHAME CAMP 2980M TO SHIRA CAMP 3840M
You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast, you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike, you will reach the Shira campsite at 3 840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
ACCOMMODATION
Shira Camp
Day 3: SHIRA 3840M TO LAVA TOWER 4630M TO BARRANCO CAMP 3950M
The route now turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m). This is definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner.
ACCOMMODATION
Barranco Camp
Day 4: BARRANCO CAMP 3950M – BARAFU CAMP 4550M
After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome-looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than what you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you reach Barafu Hut.
The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick, and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.
ACCOMMODATION
Barafu Camp
Day 5: SUMMIT ATTEMPT FROM BARAFU CAMP 4550M TO UHURU PEAK 5895M THEN DOWN TO MWEKA 3100M
You will wake up around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers, this 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared.
Summit attempt of Machame Route 6 Days.
ACCOMMODATION
Mweka Camp
Day 6: MWEKA CAMP 3100M – MWEKA GATE 1980M. DRIVE TO MOSHI
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
End of Machame Route 6 Days.
MEALS
Breakfast and Lunch
ACCOMMODATION
Sellinero Hotel
The pricing for 7 day Machame Route is $1,880
