Machame Route
Kilimanjaro Climb
The Machame Route is one of the most popular and scenic routes on Kilimanjaro. Known as the "Whiskey Route" for the communal warmth and bonding at camps, it offers diverse terrain from rainforest to alpine desert and the dramatic Barranco Wall.
Quick Facts
Why Choose the Machame Route?
The Machame Route is the most popular route for climbing Kilimanjaro. It offers the best balance of scenic variety, acclimatization opportunities, and the thrilling Barranco Wall scramble. It's often called the "Whiskey Route" because trekkers bond over stories and warmth at the evening camps.
Starting from Machame Gate on the southern side, you trek through lush rainforest, cross the vast Shira Plateau, and tackle the famous Barranco Wall — a fun and rewarding scramble with spectacular views. The route offers excellent opportunities to see glaciers, volcanic landscapes, and sweeping panoramas of the plains below.
The Machame Route is perfect for those who want a slightly shorter trek without sacrificing the acclimatization profile. The 7-day version gives an extra day for acclimatization, while the 6-day version suits those on a tighter schedule.
Route Highlights
What's Included
Quick Facts
Machame Route Itinerary
Day 1: Machame Gate (1,800m) → Machame Camp (3,000m)
Begin trek through lush rainforest. Ascend steeply with great views of the mountain. Camp in the heath zone.
Day 2: Machame Camp (3,000m) → Shira Camp (3,840m)
Climb through moorland zone. Open landscape with giant lobelias. Amazing views of Kibo and the cloud forest below.
Day 3: Shira Camp (3,840m) → Lava Tower (4,630m) → Barranco Camp (3,950m)
Key acclimatization day. Climb to the volcanic Lava Tower then descend to Barranco. "Climb high, sleep low."
Day 4: Barranco (3,950m) → Karanga Camp (4,000m)
Scale the famous Barranco Wall — a thrilling scramble with incredible views. Continue through alpine desert.
Day 5: Karanga (4,000m) → Barafu Camp (4,640m)
Climb to Barafu Camp, your summit base. Rest early for the midnight summit push.
Day 6: Barafu (4,640m) → Uhuru Peak (5,895m) → Mweka (3,060m)
Summit Day! Depart at midnight. Watch the sunrise from the Roof of Africa. Descend to Mweka Camp.
Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,060m) → Mweka Gate (1,640m)
Final descent through rainforest. Receive summit certificate. Transfer to Moshi for celebration dinner.
Machame Route Group Departures
Choose from our confirmed departure dates. All trips are guaranteed to run.
7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
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Few Seats Left6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Few Seats Left6 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Few Seats Left6 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Few Seats Left6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Few Seats Left6 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Few Seats Left7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Few Seats Left6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Few Seats Left6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
Available7 Days Machame Route
Available6 Days Machame Route
AvailablePlan Your Machame Climb
Ready to tackle the Whiskey Route? Send us your inquiry and our team will respond within 24 hours with a detailed itinerary and pricing.
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Ready to Climb Kilimanjaro via Machame?
The Whiskey Route awaits — the most popular and social way to reach the Roof of Africa.