Machame Route on Mount Kilimanjaro
The Machame or "Whiskey" route on Mount Kilimanjaro has become a popular alternative to the Marangu route. Machame route can be done over 6 or 7 days. We prefer the Lemosho/Western Breach or Lemosho/Southern Circuit 8 day/7 night routes for their high summit success and the beauty of hiking more of the Shira Plateau as you acclimatize. However Machame route, especially over 7 days, is a good choice for those who don't have 8 days to spend on Kilimanjaro so we offer it by request.
There are a number of variations on the Machame route, and some are listed below.
7 day/6 night Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route:
Day 1: Machame Camp (approx. 9,900').
We'll drive to the Machame gate after departure from your lodge. After signing in with the rangers, join your guides and crew for introductions. Approximately 6-8 hours hiking to camp which is near the edge of the forest.
Day 2:Shira Camp (approx. 12,500')
Today you'll hike through the moorlands to camp on the Shira Plateau with views of Kilimanjaro's peak. There may be time for an acclimatization hike after arriving in camp.
Day 3: Lava Tower Camp (approx. 15,000')
Today's hike is short, allowing time to acclimatize. Our destination is the Lava Tower, a lava plug that is visible from far away. We will be in the alpine zone, with small plants and a very rocky and volcanic landscape. The Western Breach will be visible above us.
Day 4: Barranco camp (approx. 13,500')
We hike about 4-6 hours past Lava Tower and down into the scenic Barranco Valley.
Day 5: Barafu camp (approx. 15,100')
Ascend the great Barranco Wall (the "Breakfast Wall") with views of Kilimanjaro's ice fields, then traverse around to Barfu camp. The hike takes approx. 6-8 hours. After an early supper, you'll get a few hours sleep before we arise to start hiking by midnight.
Day 6: Summit day (19,341')
We start hiking by midnight and by headlamp wind our way up to Stella Point at the crater rim of Kilimanjaro, then up to the summit. After taking in the view from Uhuru Peak we’ll begin the long descent down to Barafu Hut for lunch and then to our camp at Mweka Camp in the afternoon. Hiking poles will help protect your knees on this steep descent.
Day 7 – Mweka Park Gate
We make the final descent to the trail head today, about 3-4 hours hiking. Here we will have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Mount Kilimanjaro back to the hotel for hot shower.
Day 1: Machame Camp (approx. 9,900').
We'll drive to the Machame gate after departure from your lodge. After signing in with the rangers, join your guides and crew for introductions. Approximately 6-8 hours hiking to camp which is near the endge of the forest.
Day 2:-Shira Camp (approx. 12,500')
Today you'll hike through the moorlands to camp on the Shira Plateau with views of Kilimanjaro's peak. There may be time for an acclimatization hike after arriving in camp.
Day 3: Lava Tower Camp (approx. 15,000')
Today's hike is short, allowing time to acclimatize. Our destination is the Lava Tower, a lava plug that is visible from far away. We will be in the alpine zone, with small plants and a very rocky and volcanic landscape. The Western Breach will be visible above us.
Day 4: Barranco camp (approx. 13,500')
We hike about 4-6 hours past Lava Tower and down into the scenic Barranco Valley.
Day 5: Barafu camp (approx. 15,100')
Ascend the great Barranco Wall (the "Breakfast Wall") with views of Kilimanjaro's ice fields, then traverse around to Barfu camp. The hike takes approx. 6-8 hours.
Day 6: Crater Camp (~18,500')
Today we will wind our way up to Stella Point and the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. Then across the Crater floor about an hour to camp in full view of beautiful glaciers.
Day 7: Summit and Mweka Camp (up to 19,341', down to ~10,500')
Summit day. We will start our ascent to the summit (19,340ft) around 6:00 am and reach the summit in under 2 hours. The hike from crater camp to the top is about 800ft. After taking in the view from Uhuru Peak we’ll begin the long descent down to Barafu Hut for lunch and then to our camp at Mweka Camp. Hiking poles will help protect your knees on this steep descent. This is a long day, around 8-11 hours.
Day 8 – Mweka Park Gate
We make the final descent to the trail head today, about 3-4 hours hiking. Here we will have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Mount Kilimanjaro back to the hotel for hot shower.
8 day/7 night Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame/ Western Breach/Crater Camp Route:
Day 1:- Machame Camp (approx. 9,900').
We'll drive to the Machame gate after departure from your lodge. After signing in with the rangers, join your guides and crew for introductions. Approximately 6-8 hours hiking to camp which is near the endge of the forest.
Day 2:-Shira Camp (approx. 12,500')
Today you'll hike through the moorlands to camp on the Shira Plateau with views of Kilimanjaro's peak. There may be time for an acclimatization hike after arriving in camp.
Day 3: Lava Tower Camp (approx. 15,000')
Today's hike is short, allowing time to acclimatize. Our destination is the Lava Tower, a lava plug that is visible from far away. We will be in the alpine zone, with small plants and a very rocky and volcanic landscape. The Western Breach will be visible above us.
Day 4: Lava Tower Camp (approx. 15,000)
This second day at Lava Tower is an acclimatization day. Have a relaxed morning, eat lots of food and take an acclimatization hike in the afternoon or climb Lava Tower.
Day 5: Arrow Glacier Camp (~16,000')
Today's hike is short, allowing us plenty of time to acclimatize. The terrain and altitude make for much slower hiking as we ascend to Arrow Glacier Camp. The Western Breach is visible above us in all its imposing glory.
Day 6: Crater Camp (~18,500')
After an early start (usually 5 AM) and wearing our helmets today, we will wind our way up the Western Breach route to the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. Although the Breach does not have any technical climbing, it is steep with beautiful views.. Once in the Crater, if time permits we might explore the inner crater and the ash pit. Our Camp has wonderful view of the Crater's glaciers.
Day 7: Summit and Mweka Camp (up to 19,341', down to ~10,500')
Summit day. We will start our ascent to the summit (19,340ft) around 6:00 am and reach the summit in under 2 hours. The hike from crater camp to the top is about 800ft. After taking in the view from Uhuru Peak we’ll begin the long descent down to Barafu Hut for lunch and then to our camp at Mweka Camp. Hiking poles will help protect your knees on this steep descent. This is a long day, around 8-11 hours.
Day 8 – Mweka Park Gate
We make the final descent to the trail head today, about 3-4 hours hiking. Here we will have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Mount Kilimanjaro back to the hotel for hot shower.
Serengeti Pride Safaris & Kilimanjaro Climbs
Serengeti Pride Company, Ltd.
PO Box 764
Usa River, Arusha, Tanzania
255 (0) 785 353 534 (Tanzania)
508-241-1001 (USA, Eastern time zone)