Machame Route 6 Days

Success Rate 94% - 98%

Machame Route 94%

About the route

The Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey Route,” is one of the most popular and scenic trails on Mount Kilimanjaro. It begins at Machame Gate (1,800m) on the southwestern side, ascending through lush rainforest to Machame Camp (2,835m). The trail continues through Shira Plateau, then to Lava Tower (4,600m) for acclimatization before descending to Barranco Camp (3,960m). Trekkers climb the Barranco Wall, cross Karanga Camp, and reach Barafu Camp (4,673m) for the summit push. The final ascent is via Stella Point (5,739m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m). Descent follows the Mweka Route. Known for its steep terrain and diverse landscapes, Machame offers great acclimatization but requires good fitness due to its challenging nature.

Route summary

Day 0 : Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi
Day 1: Big tree Camp (2821m from Londorossi Gate (2424m)
Day 2: Big tree Camp (2821m) – Shira Camp 1 (3350m)
Day 3: Shira Camp 1 (3350m) – Moir Camp (4,200m)
Day 4: Moir Camp (4,200m) – Lavar Tower Camp (4,630m)
Day 5: Acclimatization day at Lavar Camp
Day 6: Lavar Tower camp (4338m) – Arrow Glacier Camp (4800m)
Day 7: Arrow Glacier Camp (4800m) – Crater Camp (5750m)
Day 8: Crater Camp (5750m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3090m)
Day 9: Mweka Camp (3090m) – Mweka Gate (1640m) – Moshi

Day 1: Machame Gate (1800m) – Machame Camp (3000m)

Arrive to the Machame Gate from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha in a 4WD vehicle, introduction to your guide and porters. Registration is done and thereafter start trekking with picnic lunch through rain forest for approximately 4 to 5 hrs where you arrive to the Machame Hut. Later afternoon walk up to a little higher altitude is done for acclimatization. Return to Machame Hut for dinner and overnight. FB

Day 2: Machame Camp (3000m) – Shira Camp (3800m)

After breakfast, start climb through short Savannah, forest and other vegetation for approximately 4 to 5hrs, with picnic lunch en route before arriving in the afternoon at the Shira Hut. In Shira is where an extra day can be spent for acclimatization when climbing takes 7 days or more, dinner and overnight at Shira hut. FB

Day 3: Shira (3800m) – Barranco (3950m)

After breakfast a slow walk through semi glacier and sandy areas with picnic lunch 3 to 4 hrs before arriving at the Barranco Hut for dinner and overnight. FB

Day 4: Barranco Hut (3950m) – Barafu Hut (4600m)

After breakfast, with picnic lunch enroute climb through glaciers for approximately 4 to 5 hours before arriving the Barafu Hut for dinner and overnight. FB

Day 5:Barafu Hut (4600m) Uhuru Peak (5895m) Mweka (3100m)

An early wake up call around 01.00hrs for preparation and light breakfast before starting final ascent to the summit i.e. either the Stella Point reached in approximately 5 to 6 hrs and a further ascent to the Uhuru Peak reached in another approx 45minutes. After signing and short rest at barafu hut descend via the Gilman?s Point down to Mweka hut for an hours rest with light breakfast then descent down for dinner and overnight at Mweka hut. FB

Day 6:

Descend from Mweka hut to the park gate from where you are transferred back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

Price for this Route From USD$1600

Kilimanjaro Trek Cost:

What’s included:

Kilimanjaro International Aport (JRO) Transfers, 2-Way
All park entrance, hut and rescue fees
All meals, boiled and filtered drinking water while on the mountain.
Warm water for washing to be provided every morning and evening.
Oxygen Cylinder – only for emergency
English Speaking Guides (Wilderness First Responder certified), cook and porters
Staff salaries and fees
Transport to/from national park gates
First aid kit and pulse oximeter
Emergency telephone between the guides and our office in Moshi town
3 delicious meals daily on the mountain
3 litres of bottled drinking water to be provided on the first day your hike, on the mountain porters will fetch water from the streams to be boiled and filtered for you
2 nights lodging at Panama Inn in Moshi or Natron Palace Hotel in Arusha
Breakfast included at Panama Inn in Moshi or Natron Palace Hotel in Arusha

What’s excluded:

Prices do not include sleeping bags
Gratuities
Soda/alcohol unless otherwise noted
Health insurance
Visa fees
International airfare
Laundry
Meals not noted on the itinerary

Kilimanjaro Rental Equipment

Rucksack/Daypack $12
Balacava US$ 6
Sleeping bag (-12°C) US$ 20
Sleeping bag (-25°C) US$ 40
Ponchour – Heavy/Western/Europe US$ 18
Ponchour – Light/Loca US$ 12
Socks US$ 4
Duffel Bag US$ 6
Hiking Poles (2) US$ 10
Gaiters US$ 8
Gloves US$ 6
Sweater US$ 5
Long Underwear US$ 5
Raincoat US$ 6
Raincoat – G.T, Waterproof US$ 12
Rain Pants US$ 12
Torch / Flashlight US$ 5
Camel Pack US$ 7 (rent 1 extra water bottle US$ 5)
Sunglasses US$ 5
Hiking Boots US$ 9
Fleece Pants US$ 6
Warm Jacket/Down Jacket US$ 12
Hat or Neck Scarf US$ 6

The above list is a guide to what should be taken, little else need be taken – do not overpack. Warm head cover, thick fibre pile or down jacket, light waterproof top, trousers, light overtrousers, mittens, thermal underwear, sweater, warm socks and lightweight inner socks, watertight and well broken in sturdy boots, gaiters, sunglasses, walking poles, sleeping bag (three or four season, if three then a liner is recommended), sleeping pad, water bottle, high factor sun protection cream, small first aid kit, headtorch with extra batteries, toilet roll, small wash kit and a small daypack. A holdall or bigger rucksack to give to your porter with your main luggage. Optional: a hat with a brim.

Recommended Minimum Tipping Scale:

Chief Guide: US$ 15-20 per day
Assistant Guide: US$ 10-15 per day per assistant guide
Cook: US$ 7-10 per day
Porters: US$ 5-7 per day per porter

Tip amounts listed are per group, not per individual traveler. For instance, if 4 people are on Kilimanjaro, they should each contribute US$ 5/day if they want to tip the chief guide US$ 20.

At the ceremony your group might choose to say a few words, sing a song or something else short in order to celebrate the moment.