7 Days Hiking Kilimanjaro’s Machame Route

Kilimanjaro Tanzania

Duration

7 days

Tour Type

Country

The Machame Route, often called the Whiskey Route, is renowned for its challenging terrain compared to the easier Marangu Route, known as the Coca-Cola Route. While the Marangu Route offers a gradual ascent with hut accommodations, the Machame Route features steeper trails, longer distances, and tent camping. Climbers typically spend a minimum of six days (five nights) on the mountain, though the route is often completed over seven days (six nights) for improved acclimatization.

The trek starts at Machame Gate on the southern base of Kilimanjaro, within its lush rainforest. From there, the route ascends towards the Shira Plateau, then takes a southern circuit around the mountain, providing stunning panoramic views. The final ascent to the summit is approached from the east, and the descent is made via the Mweka Trail.

Day 1 | Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Your adventure begins at Machame Gate, where lush rainforests teeming with vibrant birdlife and playful monkeys greet you. Hike amidst this captivating scenery as your expert guide unveils the region’s unique flora and fauna. After a captivating day, set up camp amidst the rainforest’s mystical aura, ready for your incredible Kilimanjaro journey.

Elevation: 1,800m to 2,835m
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 11 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Habitat: Rainforest

Day 2 | Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Day 2 leads you towards the historical Shira Plateau, a collapsed volcanic crater steeped in history. Witness panoramic views of the majestic Kibo peak, your ultimate summit goal. As you ascend, the landscape transforms, offering a glimpse into the mountain’s diverse ecological zones. Reach new heights and experience the thrill of camping on Shira Plateau, surrounded by breathtaking vistas.

Elevation: 2,835m to 3,850m
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Distance: 5 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Habitat: Moorland

Day 3 | Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.

Elevation: 3,850m to 4,600m (Lava Tower) to 3,900m
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Distance: 10 km
Difficulty: Challenging
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 4 | Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Our day starts by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley, which is our last stop for fresh water before the summit. Scree now forms the terrain as we walk through arid and desolate land towards Barafu camp.

Elevation: 3,900m to 3,995m
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 5 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 5 | Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.

Elevation: 3,995m to 4,673m
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 4 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 6 | Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and descend to Millenium Camp

We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Elevation: 4,673m to 5,895m (Uhuru Peak) to 3,100m (Mweka Camp)
Hiking Time: 10-14 hours
Distance: 19 km
Difficulty: Very Challenging
Habitat: Arctic Summit / Alpine Desert / Rainforest

Day 7 | Millenium Camp to Mweka Gate

A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome hot shower.

Elevation: 3,100m to 1,640m
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 10 km
Difficulty: Easy
Habitat: Rainforest

Day 8 | Depart Tanzania

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi or Arusha town and grab some gift shops before heading to the airport.

Safari, Cycling Adventures and other add-on are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania