- Arusha/Moshi Town
- Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
- Machame Route
Overview of the Machame Route
Conquer Africa’s highest peak via the most popular route on kilimanjaro.
The 6-Day Machame Route, also known as the "Whiskey Route," is one of the most scenic and popular ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m). It features diverse landscapes, including lush rainforests, alpine deserts, and breathtaking summit views. However, the 6-day itinerary is challenging due to its short acclimatization period, making it more suitable for experienced hikers with high fitness levels.
6-Day Machame Route Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival in Moshi/Arusha
Your adventure begins with your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you’ll be met by our team and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. In the evening, you’ll meet your experienced mountain guide for a detailed trek briefing, final gear check, and packing recommendations. This is also your last chance to rent any missing gear before the climb. Overnight at a comfortable hotel in Moshi or Arusha..
- Meals Included : None
- Overnight Moshi : Stella Maris Executive Lodge
- Overnight Arusha : Malkia Trees Lodge
Day 1: Machame Gate (1,800m) to Machame Camp (3,000m)
After breakfast, we drive to Machame Gate, where you complete registration before starting the trek through dense rainforest. The trail is steep and muddy but offers a chance to see wildlife, waterfalls, and unique plant species. After 5-6 hours of hiking, we reach Machame Camp for the night.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: ~11km (~5–7 hours)
- Accommodation: Machame Camp
Day 2: Machame Camp (3,000m) to Shira Camp (3,840m)
The trail continues uphill, leaving the forest behind as we enter the heather and moorland zone. The landscape becomes rockier with stunning views of Kibo Peak and Shira Plateau. We arrive at Shira Camp, where temperatures drop significantly at night.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: ~5km (~4–6 hours)
- Accommodation: Shira Camp
Day 3: Shira Camp (3,840m) → Lava Tower (4,630m) → Barranco Camp (3,960m)
This day is crucial for acclimatization. We hike to Lava Tower (4,630m), where we stop for lunch before descending to Barranco Camp. The descent helps the body adjust to high altitudes, increasing the chances of a successful summit. The camp is set below the Great Barranco Wall, offering spectacular sunset views.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: ~10km (~6–7 hours)
- Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,960m) to Barafu Camp (4,640m)
We start by climbing the Great Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical ascent offering breathtaking views. The trail then leads through alpine desert terrain to Barafu Camp, the final base before the summit. After an early dinner, we rest before the midnight summit push.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: ~9km (~7–8 hours)
- Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Day 5: Barafu Camp (4,640m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and Mweka Camp (3,080m)
We start the summit attempt early in the morning, leaving Barafu Camp at midnight to ascend towards Gilman’s Point and continue to the summit of Uhuru Peak (5,895m). After reaching the highest point in Africa, we take a moment to celebrate before beginning our descent to Mweka Camp. The descent is gradual but long, and we reach Mweka Camp for our final night on the mountain.
- Meals Included : Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Trekking Distance: ~13km (~12–14 hours)
- Accommodation: Mweka Camp
Day 6: Mweka Camp (3,080m) to Mweka Gate (1,640m) and Return to Moshi/Arusha
After a restful night at Mweka Camp, we make the final descent to Mweka Gate. Here, we’ll complete the formalities, and you’ll receive your summit certificate. A vehicle will take you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, where you can relax and celebrate your achievement.
- Meals Included : Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner is not included.
- Trekking Distance: ~20km (~5–6 hours)
- Overnight Moshi : Stella Maris Executive Lodge
- Overnight Arusha : Malkia Trees Lodge
Day 7: Departure Date/Flight Day
A long or short safari and Zanzibar beach holiday adventure can seamlessly be arranged before or after your Kilimanjaro trek with us. For those wishing to explore Moshi Town and immerse themselves in its vibrant culture, including visits to local attractions, markets, and communities, we recommend adding an extra overnight stay. We’ve curated a dedicated guide to Moshi’s top destinations to enhance your experience. Explore Our Moshi Destination Guide Here.
If you prefer to conclude your journey after the trek, we’ll arrange a timely transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home or onward travel.
- Meals Included : Breakfast Only.
Tour Includes
Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s covered in your trekking package.
- Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees and 18% VAT.
- 4 Season mountain tents
- Camping Equipments. Tables, Chairs etc
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- All Meals (as specified in the itinerary) While On Mountain
- Hot Water For Wash on all days
- Drinking water on all day
- Fair wages for the mountain crew.
- Pick up & Drop Off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
- All accommodation before and after your trek (Bed & Breakfast ONLY)
Tour Excludes
Here’s a clear breakdown of what you’ll need to plan independently.
- Portable chemical toilet - $150 per toilet (including tent & porter)
- Lunch and dinner before and after trek
- Domestic and International flights (from/to home)
- Personal Climbing Gear. You can rent from us See Rental Prices or See Packing List
- Laundry Services
- Travel Insurance (Recommended – Travel insurance with medical cover of 6,000m and above)
- Spending a night in the crater - $200 per person
- Western breach approach without a night at the crater camp - $100 per person
- Tanzanian mountain doctor - $200 per group per day
- Tips to mountain crew
- Tip on Mountain Kilimanjaro is recommended for group sharing as following:
- Guide $20/guide/day
- Cook $15/day
- Porters $10/porter/day.
- Tip on Mountain Kilimanjaro is recommended for group sharing as following:
Machame Route Frequently Asked Questions
The 6-day itinerary is challenging due to rapid altitude gain and limited time for acclimatization. It is best suited for experienced trekkers with good fitness levels.
The success rate is about 85%, lower than the 7-day Machame Route, which has an 90% success rate due to better acclimatization.
The Machame trail on Mount Kilimanjaro is often dubbed the “Whiskey Route,” a moniker rooted in its historical reputation as a tougher climb compared to the gentler Marangu path, colloquially known as the “Coca-Cola Route.” However, advancements in trekking logistics, equipment, and guided itineraries have softened its former intensity. Today, the seven-day Machame itinerary is actually associated with significantly better summit success rates than shorter Marangu programs, challenging outdated perceptions of its difficulty..
These two well-known paths up Mount Kilimanjaro are frequently pitted against one another. Marangu is unique as it's the only route where climbers can sleep in hut accommodations. This makes it particularly suitable for treks during the wet season, along with northern routes like the seven-day Rongai. Both the six-day versions of Machame and Marangu are quite popular, with Marangu potentially busier since it uses the same trail for both going up and coming down, which somewhat restricts the variety of landscapes you'll experience.
Summit success rates are comparable on these routes, with approximately 87% of trekkers making it to the top. This percentage is slightly less than what you might see with longer schedules like the seven-day Lemosho or Machame, where slower ascents aid better acclimatization. If you're deciding between the six-day options of Machame and Marangu, we'd suggest opting for Marangu 6.
Summit success rates are comparable on these routes, with approximately 87% of trekkers making it to the top. This percentage is slightly less than what you might see with longer schedules like the seven-day Lemosho or Machame, where slower ascents aid better acclimatization. If you're deciding between the six-day options of Machame and Marangu, we'd suggest opting for Marangu 6.
Absolutely, the seven-day Machame trek is a fantastic option for newcomers, with impressive success rates at the summit. It's rated as moderately tough, but the seven-day plan eases the process of getting used to the altitude. Conversely, the six-day Machame option is better left to experienced high-altitude trekkers or those already acclimatized.
You need warm layers, a sleeping bag, trekking poles, insulated gloves, and high-quality hiking boots... Read More..
The best months for climbing are January–March and June–October, as these months have better weather conditions.
Route Comparison: Machame Route vs. Other Kilimanjaro Routes
| Feature | Marangu Route | Machame Route | Lemosho Route | Rongai Route | Northern Circuit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate | Strenuous | Challenging | Moderate | Moderate-Strenuous |
| Duration | 5-6 Days | 6-7 Days | 6-9 Days | 6-7 Days | 8-9 Days |
| Success Rate | 85-90% | 85-95% | 90-99% | 70-80% | 90-95% |
| Accommodation | Mountain Huts | Camping | Camping | Camping | Camping |
| Scenery | Rainforest, Moorland | Rainforest, Shira Plateau, Barranco Wall | Remote Wilderness, Lava Tower | Alpine Desert, Less Crowded | 360° Views, Remote Trails |
| Crowd Level | High | High | Moderate | Low | Very Low |
| Best For | Beginners, Budget Travelers | Adventure Seekers | Scenery Lovers | Rainy Season Treks | High Success Seekers |
What Our Customers Are Saying
Emma Thompson
8 Days Lemosho Route
The team was extremely profesional: 1 guide per person and 6 porters (including a cook). We were taken care of with a lot of attention, the team treated us really well (including hot water bags before sleeping for the cold, a gentle a nice touch we were not seeing with the other groups). We had medical checks twice per day.
Michael Chen
9 Days Lemosho Route
Special thanks to our chief guide Wisen. He was brilliant in leading the group, check on us daily and made sure we were in good spirits. He was equally aided by assistance guides Joseph and Starson. They were joined by summit porters Humprhey and John on our last day. I thank them all for looking after our safety on that final accent day and getting us up and down safely (the decent was so much fun!) The team of porters were so professional and helpful.
Sophia Rodriguez
5 Days Marangu Route
Our chef Bakari cooked amazing meals in such extreme conditions - so filling - the soups were delicious! Thanks to the rest of the BantuPori team: Goodluck, Joseph, Mussa, Jackson, Iddi, Richard, Abdul and Richard (apologies if I have left any one out). The entire team were brilliant and and I cannot thank them enough for looking after us through out our expedition and keeping our spirits up.
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