6 Days Machame Route

The Machame route is the busiest of the seven Kilimanjaro routes, with about 50% of Kilimanjaro climbers using it each year. It’s also one of the most scenic Kilimanjaro route. It offers breathtaking views and a rich variety of terrain throughout. The route approaches from south and has a high success rate, especially for climbers who choose the seven-day option.

Machame Route is the “Whiskey Route”. It is the most popular and one of the most scenic routes on the mountain.

We really like the Machame route because of its beauty, variety of scenery, and great acclimatization profile. The one possible downside of this route is that it can get quite crowded. Whilst it’s undeniably a very beautiful Kilimanjaro climb, we usually recommend the Lemosho route over the Machame route. This is because the Lemosho is just as beautiful, yet less crowded.

These two Kilimanjaro routes do, however, join together on the morning of Day 3, so it’s actually only the first couple of days that are different. 

What is the scenery like?

The Machame route is one of the most beautiful of the seven Kilimanjaro routes in Tanzania. You pass through extremely varied terrain the whole way up to the summit. In fact, you pass through five different climate zones: rainforest, grassland, moorland, alpine desert, and the arctic summit. The trek also takes you past stunning natural features such as the volcanic plug known as Lava Tower. The Machame also route stops over at locations that offer some of the best sunrises and sunsets on Kilimanjaro.

Quick facts on the Machame route

Highlights                                         Considerations
✓ Good acclimatization            – Can get crowded
✓ High success rates                 – Some parts are difficult
✓ Beautiful scenery
✓ Varying landscapes
✓ Variety of terrain

How hard is the route?

No Kilimanjaro climb is easy, so let’s get that out of the way straight off the bat! But you’re doubtless wanting to know how hard the Machame route is comparative to the other six routes. Well, it isn’t easy to state how hard a route is, especially as the things that might make a Kilimanjaro climb ‘hard’ can vary from person to person. Generally speaking, the Machame route is considered a more challenging climb than others. For starters, it covers more ground, having more ups and downs than other routes. This means it requires more energy per day than other trails. That said, the route is not technically difficult.

It’s also important to note that while it’s more physically demanding than other Kilimanjaro routes, the seven-day Machame route has a very good acclimatization profile. This is because it includes opportunities to climb high and then sleep low, which are important in helping the body to adjust to the increased elevation. Proper acclimatization increases your chances of summiting.

Put simply, with the right Kilimanjaro preparation, anyone should be able to climb Kilimanjaro via the Machame route. Note that you should be physically fit to temp the climb. But with the right support in the form of a qualified and supportive mountain crew, you can achieve the summit whether you have previous hiking experience or are a first-time trekker. Note too that we would not recommend the six-day Machame route for first-time trekkers. We really feel that the seven-day climb is the better option given its superior acclimatization profile.

What is accommodation like?

The Machame route only offers camping accommodation. All of your camping equipment is provided for you as part of your package fee if you climb Kilimanjaro with Karibu Adventure. This equipment includes your tent, dining tent, table, chairs and sleeping mat . Also, all tents are pitched and then taken down by our dedicated mountain crew throughout the trek.

Machame route overview

The Machame route leads you up the southern slope of Kilimanjaro. You then follow the Mweka descent route, which comes down the southeastern slope.

The Machame can be completed in six or seven days. The extra day on the seven-day itinerary allows for more acclimatisation, which is always a good thing – a very good thing! Have a look at the two itineraries below before deciding which option suits you.

Machame route 6 days itinerary

You start the trek at Machame Gate. You head to the summit, then descend to exit the park at Mweka Gate. This means you don’t have to retrace your steps on the Machame route.

Route in profile

The two graphs below show the elevation of the six-day Machame route in profile – first in metres, then in feet.

Machame route 7 days overview

You start the trek at Machame Gate. You head to the summit, then descend to exit the park at Mweka Gate. This means you don’t have to retrace your steps on the Machame route.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi    Machame Route climb 6 days

Our transfer driver will collect you and all your gear from Kilimanjaro Airport and take you to the hotel in Moshi. Relax after your flight, explore the city. Later you will meet the Karibu Adventure operation team. They will tell you more about the trip, share tips and safety information and thoroughly check your gear to see if you have everything you need.

• Meals: BLD (Full board accommodation)

Day 2: Machame Gate, Hike to Machame Camp     Machame Route climb 6 days

The drive from Moshi / Bomang’ombe to Machame Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

• Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
• Distance: 11km/7mi
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest
• Meals: LD

Day 3: Machame Hut (camp) to Shira Camp         Machame Route climb 6 days

After breakfast we leave the glades of 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.

• Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
• Distance: 5km/3mi
• Walking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
• Meals: BLD

Day 4: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

• Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
• Distance: 10km/6mi
• Walking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Semi-desert
• Meals: BLD

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp:  

After breakfast and your daily medical checkup, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up  the Barranco Wall (elev 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp with views of the summit in the distance.

• Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
• Distance: 9km/6mi
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals: BLD

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

• Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
• Down to 3090m/10,150ft
• Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
• Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
• Meals: BLD

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

Karibu Adventure vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes)

• Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
• Distance: 10km/6m
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Forest. 6 Days Machame Route
• Meals: BLD (Full board accommodation)

Day 9: Fly back home or proceeding with wildlife safari or Zanzibar

6 DAYS MACHAME ROUTE PRICE PER PERSON PER TRIP