Machame Route

The Kilimanjaro Machame Route is sometimes called the "Whiskey Route" because it is considered more difficult than the Marangu Route. It passes through the cloud forest, Shira Plateau and Lava Tower while providing beautiful scenery and different habitats.


DAY 1: Arusha - Machame Village - Machame

We will drive from Arusha to Machame Village and then walk to Machame Camp.
2 hours drive, 5-7 hours hike (10km). 1200 meters ascent to an altitude of 3000 meters.
Dinner/Overnight at Machame camp.

Machame Route

DAY 2: Machame - Shira

Today we have a 6km hike, during 5 to 7 hours. We will have a 840 meters ascent and reach the 3840 meters of altitude. Dinner/Overnight at Shira camp.

DAY 3: Shira - Barranco

Today we have a long hike of 10km (5 to 7 hours) but with a small ascent of just 110 meters. By night, we'll be sleeping at 3950 meters.
Dinner/Overnight at Barranco camp.

DAY 4: Barranco Hut - Karanga Valley

4.5km hike during just 3 hours. We will finally be sleeping above 4000 meters, at 4200 meters above see level (250 meters ascent).
Dinner/Overnight at Karanga Valley camp.

DAY 5: Karanga - Barafu

Again, 4.5km hike during just 3 hours. Today we'll reach an altitude of 4700 meters (500 meters ascent) for the highest night of your journey.
Dinner/Overnight at Barafu camp.

DAY 6: Barafu - Uhuru Peak - Mweka

This will be the toughest but also the most rewarding day. We will wake up very very early, during the night, in order to arrive to the peak at sunrise. This will just be a 5 kilometers hike but due to the altitude and steepness (1186 meters ascent) it will take 6 to 7 hours to do. When you reach the summit, you will be at 5986 meters and have the best views of your entire life. You will never in your life forget this moment and it will make you a better person.
After some time at the summit, we'll start our descent to Mweka. Again, we'll walk for 5 to 7 hours, for a total of 12 kilometers, in order to sleep at a much more comfortable altitude of 3096 meters.
Dinner/Overnight at Mweka Camp.

DAY 7: Mweka - Mweka Village - Arusha

In our last day, we'll have a 3/4 hours hike of 10 kilometers (to an altitude of 1600 meters) before driving for a couple of hours to Arusha.

Option: It is possible to do this route in just six days by doing day 4 and 5 in one single day