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Kilimanjaro Tours
Challenging 6–7 days

Machame Route

The Whiskey Route

Starting from Price on request

Overview

The Machame Route approaches Kilimanjaro from the south-west, passing through montane rainforest, the Shira Plateau, the Barranco Valley and the Karanga Valley before the summit push from Barafu Camp. Its varied terrain and the acclimatisation day via Lava Tower are the main reasons it is the most-climbed route on the mountain.

Max altitude5,895 m
Total distance62 km
Scenery

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Machame Gate to Machame Camp

    1,800 m → 3,010 m 11 km Montane rainforest

    Register at Machame Gate and walk through rainforest to Machame Camp.

  2. Day 2

    Machame Camp to Shira Camp

    3,010 m → 3,840 m 5 km Moorland

    Climb a rocky ridge out of the forest onto the Shira Plateau.

  3. Day 3

    Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

    3,840 m → 3,960 m (high point 4,600 m) 10 km Alpine desert

    Acclimatisation day: ascend to Lava Tower then descend into the Barranco Valley.

  4. Day 4

    Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

    3,960 m → 4,035 m 5 km Alpine desert

    Scramble the Barranco Wall and traverse to the Karanga Valley.

  5. Day 5

    Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

    4,035 m → 4,673 m 4 km Alpine desert

    Short climb to base camp; rest before the night-time summit attempt.

  6. Day 6

    Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, descend to Mweka Camp

    4,673 m → 3,100 m (high point 5,895 m) 17 km Arctic to rainforest

    Summit via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak, then descend to Mweka Camp.

  7. Day 7

    Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

    3,100 m → 1,640 m 10 km Montane rainforest

    Descend through the forest to Mweka Gate and transfer to Moshi.

Included

  • Kilimanjaro National Park fees (conservation, camping, rescue)
  • Professional mountain guide and support crew
  • Mountain tents and dining tent
  • All meals on the mountain
  • Transfers between Moshi and the park gates

Not included

  • International flights
  • Tanzania visa
  • Travel and evacuation insurance
  • Personal trekking gear
  • Tips for the mountain crew
Gallery

On the Machame Route

The Barranco Wall on the Machame Route
Tents at Barafu Camp
Pre-dawn summit ascent
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Plan your trip

Climb the Machame Route with a local team

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