Machame Route, also known as the Whiskey Route, is one of the most scenic routes on Mt. Kilimanjaro. It offers amazing views, including Shira Plateau, Kibo Peak, and a stunning sunset with Mt. Meru in the background. 

Machame Route is among one of the routes with more than 80% success rate of reaching Uhuru Peak. It has the best acclimatization (climb high, sleep low).

The landscape is astonishing, including flora and fauna like the giant ground cell plants (Senecio), the gorgeous flower Gladiolus Whatsonodes seen within the heath and moorland zone, and tall trees like Ocotea Usambarensis (the Camphor tree). You’ll also see the Colobus and Blue monkeys in the rainforest. 

It’s a difficult route because it’s one of the steepest routes on Mt. Kilimanjaro, after Umbwe and Lemosho Routes. 

It is 62 km (38.5 miles) from the start of Machame gate to Mweka, the final descent gate. It requires 6 or 7 days to complete the trek through the Machame route.

There are three different options to attempt the summit: 

  • Take the trail that goes round the mountain from Moir Hut to Kibo Hut to summit from the east at 4,750 meters/15,583
  • Take the southern circuit attempting the summit from Barafu Camp at 4,600 meters/15,092 feet 
  • Attempt the summit from Arrow Glacier Camp through the Western Breach wall at 4,800 meters/15,15,748 feet (which requires a special permit from the Kilimanjaro National Park management).
Toward Baranco Camp from Lava Tower or Shark tooth rock (the highest acclimatization point).

Sample itinerary for a 6-day trek on Machame Route

Day 1: We’ll pick you up at your hotel and leave Arusha at 8:30 a.m. for the mountain entrance – Machame Gate. We’ll trek through the rainforest on a winding trail past the caretaker’s hut. We’ll stay for the night at Machame Camp.

  • Destination: Machame Gate to Machame Hut
  • Elevation: 1,800 meters/5906 feet to 3,000 meters/9,843 feet
  • Distance: 11 km/6.84 miles
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
  • Habitat: Rainforest
  • Meals: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: After breakfast, we’ll head through the glades of the rainforest, then continue trekking across a small valley and along a steep rocky ridge covered with heath. We’ll reach the river gorge at 3,658 meters/12,001 feet.

  • Destination: Machame Hut to Shira Camp
  • Elevation: 3,000 meters/9,843 feet to 3,800 meters/12,467 feet
  • Distance: 5 km/3.11 miles
  • Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Heath, moorland
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 3: From Shira Plateau, we’ll trek to the Lava Tower, or “the shark’s tooth” (4,600 meters/15,092 feet). This is acclimatization day. It’s 7 km (4.35 miles) to Lava Tower and 3 km (1.86 miles) more to Baranco. It’s a long day. You might have a headache but after descending to Baranco, relax, drink plenty of water, and if the headache persists take aspirin, tylenol or consult your guide for advice.

  • Destination: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
  • Elevation: 3,800 meters/12,467 feet to 3,950 meters/12,959 feet
  • Distance: 10 km/6.21 miles
  • Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland, alpine desert
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 4: We’ll walk along the steep ridge passing Barranco wall, through the Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp. From Barafu there is a superb view of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. You’ll have a few hours to rest at Barafu before starting the summit trek at midnight. 

  • Destination: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
  • Elevation: 3,950 meters/12,959 feet to 4,600 meter/15,092 feet
  • Distance: 9 km/5.6 miles
  • Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 5: During or just after sunrise we’ll arrive at Stella Point (5,732 meters/18,806 feet). Here we’ll take a short break and then continue all the way to the summit. It is about one hour from Stella Point to the peak. Descending to Barafu from the peak is not difficult. After a few hours rest at Barafu, we’ll continue to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters/10,171 feet) and from Barafu to Mweka it’s 7 km (4.35 miles).

  • Destination: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
  • Elevation: 4,600 meter/15,092 feet to 5,895 meters/19,340 feet
  • Distance: 6 km/3 miles
  • Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
  • Habitat: Icefield 
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 6: It is an easy trek to the Gate where you will be met by a Diamond Glacier Adventures Officer, collect your certificates from the Gate clerk, have lunch, and celebrate reaching THE TOP OF AFRICA “UHURU PEAK.” We’ll then drive back to Arusha.

  • Destination: Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate
  • Elevation: 3,100 meters/10,171 feet to 1,800 meters/5,906 feet
  • Distance: 10 km (6.21 miles)
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Rainforest
  • Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Sample Itinerary for a 7-day Trek on Machame Route

Day 1: We’ll pick you up at your hotel and leave Arusha at 8:30 a.m. for the mountain entrance – Machame Gate.

  • Destination: Machame Gate to Machame Hut
  • Elevation: 1,800 meters/5,906 feet to 3,000 meters/9,843 feet
  • Distance: 11 km/6.84 miles
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
  • Habitat: Rainforest
  • Meals: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: After breakfast, we’ll head through the glades of the rainforest, then continue trekking across a small valley and along a steep rocky ridge covered with heath. We’ll reach the river gorge at 3,658 meters/12,001 feet.

  • Destination: Machame Hut to Shira Camp
  • Elevation: 3,000 meters/9,843 feet to 3,800 meters/12,467 feet
  • Distance: 5 km/3.11 miles
  • Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Heath, moorland
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: After breakfast, we’ll trek to the Lava Tower, or “the shark’s tooth” (4,600 meters/15,092 feet). It’s an acclimatization day — climb high, sleep low.

  • Destination: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp 
  • Elevation: 3,800 meters/12,467 feet to 3,950 meters/12,959 feet
  • Distance: 10 km/6.21 miles
  • Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland, alpine desert
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: We’ll walk along the steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to Karanga Valley, where there is the last water stream before the base camp Barafu.

  • Destination: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
  • Elevation: 3,950 meters/12,959 feet to 3,930/12,894 feet
  • Distance: 6 km/3.73 miles
  • Hiking Time: 4 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: It’s a short day with a magnificent view of Mawenzi Peak on arrival at Barafu. You’ll have a few hours to rest at Barafu before starting the summit trek at midnight.

  • Destination: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
  • Elevation: 3,930 meters/12,894 feet to 4,600 meters/15,092 feet
  • Distance: 4 km/2.5 miles
  • Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland, alpine
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6: During or just after sunrise we’ll arrive at Stella Point (5,732 meters/18,806 feet). Here we’ll take a short break and then continue all the way to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters/19,341 feet). 

It’s about one hour from Stella Point to the peak. The entire trek takes about 5 to 6 hours depending on your path. Descending to Barafu from the peak is not difficult. It usually takes about 2 to 3 hours. 

  • Destination: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (summit) to Barafu Camp
  • Elevation: 4,600 meters/15,092 feet to 5,895 meters/19,341 feet to 4,600 meters/15,092 feet
  • Distance: It’s 6 km (3.73 miles) from Barafu to Uhuru Peak.
  • Hiking Time: 5 to 6 hours to summit. 2 to 3 hours to Barafu.
  • Habitat: Heath 
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7: It is an easy trek as it is only a descent. You’ll be met by a Diamond Glacier Adventures Officer, collect your certificates from the Gate clerk, have lunch, and celebrate reaching THE TOP OF AFRICA UHURU PEAK. We’ll then drive back to your hotel. 

  • Destination: Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate
  • Elevation: 3,100 meters/10,171 feet to 1,800 meters/5,905 feet
  • Distance: 10 km/6.21 miles
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Rainforest
  • Meals: Breakfast and lunch