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Kilimanjaro Route

Machame Route

The Machame Route, also called the Whiskey Route, is a scenic and challenging trail with excellent acclimatization.

7
Days
62.00 km
Distance
5,895 m
Summit Altitude
85.00%
Success Rate
Challenging
Difficulty
Day By Day

The Full Itinerary

Scenic, varied, challenging

D1

Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Machame Gate → Machame Camp

Steep hike through dense rainforest with high humidity.

11.00 km ~6.5 hrs hiking Rainforest Overnight: Machame Camp

Go slowly to conserve energy.

D2

Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Machame Camp → Shira Camp

Vegetation thins with expanding views.

5.00 km ~5.0 hrs hiking Moorland Overnight: Shira Camp

Good acclimatization day.

D3

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

Shira Camp → Barranco Camp

Climb high to Lava Tower then descend.

10.00 km ~7.0 hrs hiking Alpine Desert Overnight: Barranco Camp

Key acclimatization day.

D4

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp

Scramble up Barranco Wall.

5.00 km ~4.5 hrs hiking Alpine Desert Overnight: Karanga Camp

Climb high, sleep lower.

D5

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp

Prepare for summit push.

4.00 km ~4.0 hrs hiking Alpine Desert Overnight: Barafu Camp

Rest and hydrate.

D6

Summit Day

Barafu Camp → Mweka Camp

Midnight ascent to Uhuru Peak.

17.00 km ~12.0 hrs hiking Arctic Overnight: Mweka Camp

Highest altitude exposure.

D7

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate

Descent through forest.

10.00 km ~4.0 hrs hiking Rainforest Overnight: N/A

Recovery day.

Where You'll Sleep

Camps & Huts Along the Way

3,000m
Machame Camp
Tent

5°C to 10°C

3,840m
Shira Camp
Tent

0°C to 5°C

4,673m
Barafu Camp
Tent

-10°C to 0°C

Know Before You Go

Route Details

Best For

Physically fit climbers, photographers

Not Recommended For

Those uncomfortable with steeper terrain

Best Time to Climb

January–March, June–October

Crowd & Traffic Level

High traffic route, Tents accommodation.

Scenery & Experience

Rainforest, Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Barranco Wall

Scenic rating: 5/10 · Wilderness feel: Medium

Acclimatization & Safety

Excellent acclimatization using Lava Tower.

Altitude sickness risk: Medium

Group & Guide Ratio

Average group size: 8 · Guide-to-climber ratio: 1:4

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