The Machame Route is well known as the "Whiskey Route" and one of the most popular trails on Mount Kilimanjaro, fondly known as Kili. It is reported that around 50% of trekkers use this route to ascend to the highest point in Africa and for good reason. The trail, whilst challenging, also offers spectacular vistas, ascends the Barranco wall and allows good acclimatisation opportunities.
Ask about this journey ↗The Machame Route is well known as the "Whiskey Route" and one of the most popular trails on Mount Kilimanjaro, fondly known as Kili. It is reported that around 50% of trekkers use this route to ascend to the highest point in Africa and for good reason. The trail, whilst challenging, also offers spectacular vistas, ascends the Barranco wall and allows good acclimatisation opportunities. From lush rainforest, the trail rises steeply towards the Shira Plateau, providing trekkers with scenic mountain views and varying landscapes. While the ascent does not require any technical climbing, the trails are demanding and a sound level of fitness are essential pre-requisites. With seven days on the mountain, there is excellent opportunity for a safe and successful climb, with a sound sense of achievement more than reward for your effort.
Explore the landscapes and experiences that make this part of Africa special.
A selection of images from our Tanzania journeys. Ask our team for current photos of your specific route and accommodation.
Your day-by-day outline gives you a feel for the pace. The final plan can be adjusted around your dates and interests.
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted by our transfer driver and taken to Hotel Moshi. The rest of the day will be at leisure and you may choose to relax at the hotel or perhaps explore the town of Moshi (taxi required). In the evening, you will attend a briefing in preparation of your upcoming trek. Dinner and overnight
The Kilimanjaro National Park gate is only a 45-minute drive from your hotel. You will be picked up after breakfast and make your way there for the start of your climb. Once you have arrived your guide will get started with the formalities (entrance forms) while you observe all the different teams and mountain crew getting ready for their expedition. It’s always a fascinating experience for clients to watch them load all the different items for the trip. As soon as everything is prepared your adventure will begin. The destination for today will be the Machame Camp which you should reach in about 5 – 6 hours. On route you will experience a wonderful rainforest with ancient trees, primeval ferns, liana & lichen to mention but a few. Another favourite to look out for on this day is the black and white thumbless colobus monkeys. Once you arrive at your campsite for the night you have time to relax before enjoying a well deserve dinner prepared by our own cook. Distance: 11 km Hiking Time: 5 - 7 hours Habitat: Rain Forest Meals:Lunch and Dinner Included.
Although today is a shorter stretch then yesterday you will still have an early start which will allow you to reach today’s destination around mid-afternoon. The landscape changes dramatically from the green mountain rainforest into moor and heath land. You will have a beautiful view of the mountain range from your campsite which is situated at the Shira Plateau. The glacier of Kibo also lights up as the sun sets for the evening. Distance: 5 km Hiking Time: 4 - 6 hours Habitat: Moorland Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Today is a good day for the body to acclimatise for the days to follow. You will climb roughly 700m but will sleep on a level not much higher than the night before. We will start at Shira Plateau and make our way up to Lava Tower at around 4640m, after a rest we will continue through the Barranco Valley until we reach our destination for the day the beautiful Barranco Camp. Today’s trek will be approximately 6 – 7 hours, during which time you will experience the alpine desert as well as the Barranco Valley with its small lobelia plants and giant senecio’s. You will sit down for a well-deserved dinner before it’s time to rest in preparation for the next day. Distance: 10 km Hiking Time: 6 - 8 hours Habitat: Semi Desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
From Barranco camp, you climb up through the edge of great Barranco Wall. It’s a tough morning climb on a steep trail, but once you reach the top, the views are spectacular. Dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp (4035m / 13238ft). Distance: 5 km Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Barafu Camp is our destination for today and will be reach after 3-4 hours. Most of this time you will be walking through the moon-like alpine dessert. After a satisfying dinner you will have an early night and a good rest. The highlight of your trip is now only some hours away. Distance: Approximately 4 kilometers Hiking time: 2-4 hours Habitat: Alpine desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
This will be the toughest but also the most rewarding day. We will wake up very very early, during the night, in order to arrive to the peak at sunrise. This will just be a 5 kilometers hike but due to the altitude and steepness (1186 meters ascent) it will take 6 to 7 hours to do. When you reach the summit, you will be at 5986 meters and have the best views of your entire life. You will never in your life forget this moment and it will make you a better person. After some time at the summit, we’ll start our descent to Mweka. Again, we’ll walk for 5 to 7 hours, for a total of 12 kilometers, in order to sleep at a much more comfortable altitude of 3096 meters. Dinner/Overnight at Mweka Camp. Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 7-8 hours to descend to Mweka Distance: Approximately 7 kilometer ascent and 23 kilometer descent Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
After your last breakfast on the mountain which save in the morning leave mweka camp descent downhill via rainy forest to Mweka gate at lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate our vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to a hotel in Moshi for hot shower and leisure dinner overnight. Mweka Camp to–Mweka gate 3100Mt-1640Mt Distance: 10 km; Hiking Time: 3-4 hours; Habitat: Rain Forest. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Included.
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Your route determines the overnight stops and facilities on the mountain.
A relaxed place to prepare before your climb and unwind after the descent.
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