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6/7 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route

Itinerary Briefing

The Machame route, is one of the popular and also known as the Whisky Route is one of the most scenic and recommended routes on Kilimanjaro. The route takes you into the paths through magnificent forests leading to a ridge through the moorland zones to the Shira Plateau. It then deviates beneath the glaciated precipices of the Southern Ice fields to join the Barafu Route to the summit. Because it can be done over longer periods and the incline is more manageable it has a much higher success rate of summit.

Duration: 6 or 7 days
Difficulty: Medium
Scenery: Beautiful
Traffic: High

Itinerary Day Description

Traffic: High

DAY 1: MACHAME GATE – MACHAME CAMP: Rainforest day

Elevation: 1811m/5942ft to 3021m/9911ft
Altitude gained: 1210m

Departing from Arusha town has 1.5hrs drive will to Village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. You will patiently wait for your permits to be issued while watching the crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

 DAY 2: MACHAME CAMP – SHIRA CAMP: 4-5hrs | Moorland

Elevation: 3021m/9911ft to 3839m/12,595ft
Altitude gained: 818m

After a good night sleep and a hearty breakfast you emerge from 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 you arrive at the Shira campsite. Temperatures begin to drop.

 DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP: 5-6hrs | Semi-Desert

Elevation: 3839m/12,595ft to 3986m/13,077ft
Altitude gained: 147m

Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.

 DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP: 3-4hrs /Alpine Desert

Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft
Altitude gained: 48m

After breakfast, you continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

 DAY 5: HIKE KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP: 3-4hrs | Alpine Desert

Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft
Altitude gained: 628m

You continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

 DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT:  5-7hrs | – MWEKA CAMP: 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit

Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Descent to 3106m/10,190ft

Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

You continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy screed towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.

After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight Mweka Camp.

 DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE – ARUSHA TOWN: 3-4hrs | Rainforest

Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. You continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.

From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha town and enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebration.