Machame Route

Duration

7 Days

Tour Type

Trip

Kilimanjaro National Park

MOUNT KILIMANJARO MACHAME ROUTE

The Machame Route begins on the southern side of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Machame is a popular route well-known for its incredible scenery. As a result, it is also the route with the most traffic.

Typical 7 day Machame route itinerary

Duration: To complete the full Machame Route trail, it will take 6 or seven days. In case you would prefer to shorten your trekking tour via the Machame Route, it is possible to skip the night spent in the Karanga Valley at the Barafu Camp.
Location: The Machame route begins in the southern part of the mountain at the Machame Gate which is only a short 45-minute drive away from Moshi town.

Details

Machame Route, Kilimanjaro is a 62km long ascent trail that begins at the Machame Gate on the southern side of Kilimanjaro National Park. Machame, otherwise known as the “whiskey route”, is one of the most popular routes to summit Mount Kilimanjaro since it has existed on the mountain for many years. According to official Kilimanjaro National Park statistics, the Machame Route is so popular that 50% of climbers use this route to summit Kilimanjaro. It is also definitely one of our favourites, alongside the Lemosho Route, which is very scenic. Below are some of the reasons why you will fall in love with this route.

Machame Route has one of the highest summit success rates, which could easily reach a high 90%. To achieve a high summit success rate, the 7 day Machame Route tour itinerary is recommended.
This route is an amazing acclimatisation route as it applies the “walk high, sleep low” principle very well.
The Marangu route rewards climbers with amazing scenery as you traverse vegetation and climatic zones of every kind on your way up the mountain.
The route also gives you the ultimate opportunity to conquer and climb the Great Barranco Wall.
The Machame Route will give you a great chance of reaching the Uhuru Peak Summit.

Elevation: 1811m/5942ft to 3021m/9911ft Altitude gained: 1210m Departing from Moshi a 45-minute drive will take you through the Village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many 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.

Elevation: 3021m/9911ft to 3839m/12,595ft Altitude gained: 818m AAfter a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast we 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 we arrive at the Shira campsite. Temperatures begin to drop.

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

Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft Altitude gained: 48m After breakfast, we 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.

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

levation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft Altitude gained: 1233m Descent to 3106m/10,190ft Altitude lost: 2789m 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. We 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 scree 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. Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa! 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.

Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft Altitude lost: 1473m After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We 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 Moshi (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!