Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route – CHALLENGING
The Machame Route – A True Kilimanjaro Classic
If you’re looking for a bucket-list challenge, breathtaking scenery, and an unforgettable experience, Machame is the perfect route to take you higher. Sleep under a sky full of stars, wake up to unparalleled sunrises, and share the adventure with a team of like-minded climbers. Tackle steep ascents and thrilling landscapes, with the final push to Uhuru Peak bringing the ultimate sense of achievement.
The Machame Route, also referred to as the “Whisky Route”, is a popular yet challenging adventure thatbrings together climbers from all over the world. The route goes up steep paths, through enchanting forests, dramatic ridges, and open moorlands leading up to the stunning Shira Plateau, where you will have the opportunity to witnesswide-open skies and the mountain’s grandeur. The trail is as much about the incredible landscapes as it is about the people you share it with – whether you’re swapping stories at camp or pushing through steep ascents together. This route is for those who want a challenge, a connection, and an unforgettable adventure.
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A Popular Path with a High Success Rate
Machame is steeper and more challenging than some of the other routes, with many sections of steep inclines and rock scrambles, and one of the more crowded routes. It is often recommended for those who want to climb the mountain in a relatively short time period, which also means that climbers may need to acclimatize more quickly, which can increase the risk of altitude sickness. The success rate of climbers on the Kilimanjaro Machame Route is relatively high compared to some of the other routes on the mountain.
Climbing Machame solo? Don’t worry! All travelers have the option to choose between a private climb or to join a group and build bonds that last beyond the mountain. Whether you’re looking for a private experience or hoping to meet like-minded trekkers, this route offers the perfect mix of challenge and community.
Machame isn’t just about reaching the summit – it’s about the journey, the people, and the stories you’ll tell for years to come.
A Perfect Finale with Safari Excursions or Zanzibar Retreats
After pushing your limits and celebrating under the stars, why not keep the adventure going? Many climbers want to extend their journey with a brief well-earned safari adventure of chioce, or a relaxed stay by the white beaches of the wonderful Zanzibar. Contact us for seamless integration with our travel packages, where your adventurous spirit meets boundless opportunities.
If you want to explore other unique perspective of the majestic Kilimanjaro, check out the Coca-Cola and Lemosho routes.
Challenge Level
Challenging
Best Time To Go
Jan–Mar: Clear & quiet
Mar–May: Wet & muddy
Jun–Sep: Dry & popular
Oct–Nov: Short rains, fewer crowds
Popular Attractions
Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Barranco Wall, Karanga Valley, Stella Point, Uhuru Peak
Weather
20–30 °C lower slopes | Below 0 °C at summit
Highlights
Wander through rainforest, moorlands, and alpine terrain
Reach the summit and stand on top of Africa at Uhuru Peak
Witness epic sunrises and sleep under star-filled skies
Trek with expert guides ensuring safety and success
Rent top-quality gear for a hassle-free climb
Why Climb with World Adventure Tours?
World Adventure Tours isn’t just about safaris – we’re passionate, professional mountaineers with deep expertise in high-altitude climbing. Whether you’re a first-time climber or have tackled peaks for a long time, our team is highly trained and ready to guide you every step of the way, ensuring your safety and success.
Gear, Packing & Pro Tips
Sustainable & Ethical Trekking
Safety & Acclimatization First
Expert Guides
Personalized Comfort
Diverse Routes
8 Days – Day-to-Day Program
Day 1
Arrival in Moshi
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will be picked up and transferred to Springlands Hotel or similar for an overnight bed and breakfast.
🍽 Meals: none
🏨 Accommodation: Springlands Hotel or Similar
Moshi to Machame Camp
Altitude: 1,800 m – 3,100 m
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 6 hours
Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 45-minute drive from Moshi (910 m) to the Machame Park Gate. You will receive a packed lunch box at the gate and we advise you to bring bottled water available to purchase at Springlands Hotel in Moshi. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent by entering the rainforest. There is a possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy, and slippery experience. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water. The cook will prepare dinner before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can drop to freezing point at Machame Camp.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Machame Camp or Similar
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Altitude: 3,100 m – 3,840 m
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
You rise early at Machame Camp and after breakfast, you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest where you will be met with a gentler gradient through the moorland zone, where you will walk for another 2 hours. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira Plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike, you will reach the Shira Camp at 3,840 m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving you dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Shira Camp or Similar
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
Altitude: 3,840 m – 3,940 m
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 7–8 hours
The route now turns east exposing you to a semi-desert and a rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4,600 m after about a 5-hour walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4,600 m). This will be the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point that some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. After lunch, you descend again by almost 680 m to the Barranco camping area, and after reaching the high altitude of 4,600 m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. The descent to Barranco Camp takes about 2 hours, where you will get great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner and eventual overnight at Barranco Camp.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Barranco Camp or Similar
Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp via Karanga Camp
Altitude: 3,960 m – 4,550 m
Hiking distance: 13 km
Hiking time: 7 hours
Exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1,345 m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, walking sticks, and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure that you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at around 19:00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep for not more than 5 hours.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Barafu Camp or Similar
Barafu Camp to Summit and Mweka Camp
Altitude: 4,670 m – 5,895 m – 3,100 m
Hiking distance: 17 km
Hiking time: 15+ hours
You will rise around 23:30, and after some tea and biscuits, you will shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella Point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5,685 m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka Camp (3,100 m) for dinner and overnight.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Mweka Camp or Similar
Mweka Camp to Moshi via Mweka Gate
Altitude: 3,100 m – 1,800 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
After breakfast, from the Mweka Gate, you will continue down into Mweka Village, normally a muddy 1-hour walk. From Mweka Village, you will be driven to Springlands Hotel where you will be served a delicious hot lunch, not to mention your chance to take a long-overdue hot shower.
At your discretion, tips are recommended, as well as highly appreciated at the end of the trip. Tips can be given to the guide at the hotel. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5,685 m) are issued with green certificates, and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) receive gold certificates.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Springlands Hotel or Similar
Kilimanjaro Airport Departure
After an early breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure flight back home.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast
🏨 Accommodation: None (end of adventure)
9 Days – Day-to-Day Program
Arrival in Moshi
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will be picked up and transferred to Springlands Hotel or similar for an overnight bed and breakfast.
🍽 Meals: none
🏨 Accommodation: Springlands Hotel or Similar
Moshi to Machame Camp
Altitude: 1,800 m – 3,100 m
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 6 hours
Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 45-minute drive from Moshi (910 m) to the Machame Park Gate. You will receive a packed lunch box at the gate and we advise you to bring bottled water available to purchase at Springlands Hotel in Moshi. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent by entering the rainforest. There is a possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy, and slippery experience. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water. The cook will prepare dinner before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can drop to freezing point at Machame Camp.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Machame Camp or Similar
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Altitude: 3,100 m – 3,840 m
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
You rise early at Machame Camp and after breakfast, you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest where you will be met with a gentler gradient through the moorland zone, where you will walk for another 2 hours. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira Plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike, you will reach the Shira Camp at 3,840 m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving you dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Shira Camp or Similar
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
Altitude: 3,840 m – 3,940 m
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 7–8 hours
The route now turns east exposing you to a semi-desert and a rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4,630 m after about a 5-hour walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4,600 m). This will be the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point that some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. After lunch, you descend again by almost 680 m to the Barranco camping area, and after reaching the high altitude of 4,600 m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. The descent to Barranco Camp takes about 2 hours, where you will get great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner and eventual overnight at Barranco Camp.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Barranco Camp or Similar
Lava Tower Challenge
Altitude: 3,840 m – 3,940 m
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 7–8 hours
The route now turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4600m after about 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower. Definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. After lunch, you descend again almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Barranco Camp or Similar
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Altitude: 4,035 m – 4,670 m
Hiking distance: 4 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Totally exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1,345 m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski sticks, and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries – make sure that you have a spare set available! To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at about 19:00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep, but remember not more than 5 hours of sleep.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Barafu Camp or Similar
Barafu Camp to Summit and Mweka Camp
Altitude: 4,670 m – 5,895 m – 3,100 m
Hiking distance: 17 km
Hiking time: 15+ hours
You will rise around 23:30, and after some tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through the heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella Point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5,685 m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life! The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest, because you need to collect the rest of your gear before heading down to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Mweka Camp or Similar
Mweka Camp to Moshi via Mweka Gate
Altitude: 3,100 m – 1,800 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
After breakfast, from the Mweka Gate, you will continue down into Mweka Village, normally a muddy 1-hour walk. From Mweka Village, you will be driven to Springlands Hotel where you will be served a delicious hot lunch, not to mention your chance to take a long-overdue hot shower. At your discretion, tips are recommended, as well as highly appreciated at the end of the trip. Tips can be given to the guide at the hotel. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5,685 m) are issued with green certificates, and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) receive gold certificates.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Springlands Hotel or Similar
Kilimanjaro Airport Departure
After an early breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure flight back home.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast
🏨 Accommodation: None (end of adventure)
What Makes Machame Special?
Challenging yet rewarding – Steeper and more demanding than other routes, but famed for its beauty and high success rate
For true adventurers – Perfect for fit, experienced hikers seeking a thrilling Kilimanjaro climb
Popular and social – A lively route with plenty of fellow climbers to share the journey
Breathtaking scenery – From lush rainforest to moorlands and the dramatic Barranco Wall
High summit success – Smart acclimatization boosts your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak
Check out our Climbing Gear Tutorial before you go! 👆
Include in the Price
- Two nights accommodation in Moshi bed and breakfast
- Airport transfers
- Transportation from Moshi to the starting point on the mountain and return to Moshi
- National Park gate fees, hut/camping fees
- Rescue fees, tents, and sleeping mattresses
- Guides’ salaries, porters’ salaries, and all meals on the mountain
- Guides, porters, and cooks’ accommodation and entry fees on the mountain
- Travel Guarantee with the Swedish Kammarkollegiet »
Price Does Not Cover *
- Domestic or International flights
- Entry visa to Tanzania
- Travel and health insurance
- Single room supplement at Springlands Hotel
- Guides, porters, and cook tips – Find guidelines in our Help Center
- Mountain gear e.g. sleeping bags, clothes, and shoes but some climbing gear will be available for hire at Springlands Hotel
* Rest assured, we’re here to assist with anything not covered in the price. Your convenience is our priority.
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Accommodation
See all accommodation and upgrades available.
Springlands Hotel
Campsites
Add-ons
Discover Africa with Our Exhilarating Activities. Pick and choose from our handpicked collection of activities and day trips to enrich your African travel plan with that special touch.
Springlands Hotel
Springlands Hotel in Moshi, 29 km from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), offers accommodation with amenities like an outdoor pool, complimentary parking, a bar, 24-hour reception, and free WiFi. Continental or à la carte breakfast is served at the hotel.
Rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a seating area, satellite TV, a kitchenette, dining area, and private bathroom with all essentials, including a kettle. Enjoy a hiking around Moshi, with a mini-supermarket just 3 km away.
Upgrade to Chanya Lodge or Gran Melia Hotel.
Campsites
The campsites offer practical tents that is set up by the porters. You will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes to handle the cold nights and walking poles for the terrain.
The porters will boil drinking and washing water, and cook and serve dinner at the camps.
Enjoy basic and functional amenities in unforgettable scenic locations.
All gear and equipment are available to rent through us!
Request a Free Quote
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- Without any obligation to book
- Your request will be sent directly to the operator
- Travel guarantee with Swedish Kammarkollegiet