Difficulty:
Medium
Duration:
6 or 7 days
Scenery:
Excellent
Traffic:
Very High
Key Facts
The Machame Route, also known as the "Whiskey Route", is a popular route on Mount Kilimanjaro, offering a diverse and challenging trek to the summit. It's generally a 6 or 7-day itinerary that begins at Machame Gate and traverses through various ecosystems, including rainforests, moorlands, and alpine deserts, before culminating at Uhuru Peak.
The Machame route is definitely recommended for people experiencing high altitude mountaineering for the first time. A minimum of 6 days on Mount Kilimanjaro is needed, but for more comfort and to increase your chance of success, 7 days are recommended. The Machame route begins on the South West side of the mountain and the trek starts by ascending through the cloud forest to Machame Camp.
Steeper Ascent
The trail features more demanding terrain with steeper climbs and descents, making it more physically challenging than Marangu, but its longer itinerary allows for better acclimatisation.
Tent Camping
Unlike the hut accommodation on Marangu, climbers on the Machame Route sleep in tents at designated campsites, requiring a greater level of self-sufficiency and resilience to the elements.
Diverse Scenery
The route is celebrated for its striking variety of landscapes, lush rainforests, heath and moorland, volcanic ridges, alpine deserts, and the dramatic Barranco Wall.
Longer and More Scenic
Often referred to as the "Whiskey Route", Machame offers a more scenic and winding path to the summit, with a climb-high, sleep-low profile that supports acclimatisation.
Higher Summit Success Rate
Owing to its gradual ascent profile and longer duration, the Machame Route generally has a higher summit success rate compared to shorter, more direct routes such as Marangu.
Select your itinerary
6 Day Machame
3rd - 12th July 2026
The Machame route is offered as a 6 days trek with three additional nights spent in a hotel (2 night before climb and 1 night after climb).
Click here to book 6 DAY
7 Day Machame
8th - 17th August 2025
For more comfort and to increase your chance of success, 7 day treks can also be an option.
Click here to book 7 DAY
Pre Climb
Arrival and briefing
Distance: 12 km
Trek time: 6–7 hours
Zone: Semi-desert
Upon landing in Tanzania you will come out of the airport and Uncharted Summits representatives will be waiting for you. The next 2 days is about relaxation and ensuring you start to focus on the start of your transformational journey up to the roof of Africa. We will have a full safety and mountain briefing, any final questions you may have or wish to ask and then its go time.
Day 1
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation gain: 1,800m to 3,000m
Distance: 11 km | Trek time: 5–7 hours | Zone: Rainforest
Elevation gain: 1,800m to 3,000m
Distance: 11 km
Trek time: 5–7 hours
Zone: Rainforest
At 9:00am, you will meet the rest of our guides and porters. After a final check of equipment, we drive to the Machame Gate. You’ll be given a packed lunch, then register with the Kilimanjaro Park office before beginning the trek into the rainforest.
Midway up, we’ll take a break for lunch. You’ll reach Machame Camp by late afternoon, where porters will have set up your tent and prepared boiled drinking water and hot washing water. After settling in, enjoy a hot dinner in the mess tent.
Day 2
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation gain: 3,000m to 3,850m
Distance: 9 km | Trek time: 4–6 hours | Zone: Moorland
Elevation gain: 3,000m to 3,850m
Distance: 12 km
Trek time: 4–6 hours
Zone: Moorland
Wake up to a hot drink in your tent at 6:30am. After breakfast, we leave the rainforest and cross a small valley into the open moorlands. The trail climbs a rocky ridge and then ascends through a river gorge toward the Shira Plateau.
At Shira Camp, you’ll be welcomed with hot water and snacks, followed by a hot lunch. There’s time to explore Shira Caves or rest before dinner. Note: this camp is exposed, and it can get quite cold and windy.
Day 3
Shira Camp to Lava Tower (4,600m) to Barranco Camp
Elevation gain: 3,850m to 4,600m, then descend to 3,950m
Distance: 12 km | Trek time: 6–7 hours | Zone: Semi-desert
Elevation gain: 3,850m to 4,600m, then descend to 3,950m
Distance: 12 km
Trek time: 6–7 hours
Zone: Semi-desert
After breakfast, we begin a 4–5 hour trek to Lava Tower (4,600m) for acclimatization. We’ll stop for lunch at Lava Tower, then descend for 2 hours to Barranco Camp, following the rule: “climb high, sleep low.”
This is the toughest day so far, but offers incredible views. As we descend, look out for the Giant Groundsels. Barranco Camp provides breathtaking views of the Western Breach and a chance to witness a spectacular sunset.
Day 4
Barranco Camp via Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation gain: 3,950m to 4,550m
Trek time: ~8 hours
Elevation gain: 3,950m to 4,550m
Distance: 8 km
Trek time: 6–7 hours
Zone: Semi-desert
After a night beneath the Great Barranco Wall, we climb this impressive barrier, which is easier than it looks. From there, we descend into Karanga Valley, cross ridges and valleys, and join the Mweka Route.
After completing the South Circuit, we turn and ascend the ridge to Barafu Camp. There's no water at this camp, so the last refill is in Karanga Valley. Your tent is set on a narrow, windswept ridge. Before bed (7 PM), prepare gear for the summit: check your headlamp, camera batteries, and pack your water in a thermal flask.
Day 5
Summit Day!! Barafu Camp – Stella Point – Uhuru Peak – Millennium Hut
Elevation gain: 4,600m to 5,732m to 5,895m, then descend to 3,950m
Distance: 7 km ascent, 23 km descent | Trek time: 6–8 hours up, 7–8 hours down | Terrain: Scree, ice fields, glaciers
Elevation gain: 4,600m to 5,732m to 5,895m, then descend to 3,950m
Distance: 7 km ascent, 23 km descent
Trek time: 6–8 hours up, 7–8 hours down
Terrain: Scree, ice fields, glaciers
Wake-up is at 11:30pm with hot drinks and biscuits. At midnight, begin the 6-hour climb to Stella Point, the toughest section, but worth it for the sunrise.
After a break, continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), then descend for 3 hours to Barafu Camp for lunch.
In the afternoon, head to Millennium Camp for the night, with a final view of the summit and a well-deserved dinner.
Day 6
Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation loss: 3,950m to 1,800m
Distance: 11 km | Trek time: 4–5 hours | Zone: Rainforest
Elevation loss: 3,950m to 1,800m
Distance: 11 km
Trek time: 4–5 hours
Zone: Rainforest
Enjoy a celebratory breakfast with the team, who will thank and congratulate you. This is also your chance to express your thanks and offer a tip if you'd like.
The final 4-hour descent takes you to Mweka Gate, where you can enjoy a celebratory beer as the team prepares the van. Back in Moshi/Arusha, you'll have dinner and receive your well-earned certificate.
Post Climb
Celebration and departure
Distance: 12 km
Trek time: 6–7 hours
Zone: Semi-desert
Celebrate your incredible achievement! After a quiet, reflective bus ride and the best shower of your life, it’s time to come together, receive your summit certificates, and party the night away. The Uncharted Summits team will ensure smooth departures—whether you’re heading home or on to a safari or Zanzibar. Your transformational journey in Tanzania may be ending, but its impact continues long after you return home.
Uncharted Summits
Pre Climb
Arrival in Tanzania
Distance: 12 km
Trek time: 6–7 hours
Zone: Semi-desert
Upon landing in Tanzania you will come out of the airport and Uncharted Summits representatives will be waiting for you. The next 2 days is about relaxation and ensuring you start to focus on the start of your transformational journey up to the roof of Africa. We will have a full safety and mountain briefing, any final questions you may have or wish to ask and then its go time.
Day 1
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation gain: 1,800m to 3,000m
Distance: 11 km | Trek time: 5–7 hours | Zone: Rainforest
Elevation gain: 1,800m to 3,000m
Distance: 11 km
Trek time: 5–7 hours
Zone: Rainforest
At 8:00am, meet the rest of the team—guides and porters—before heading to Machame Gate. Any gear you don’t need on the mountain can be left at the hotel. After a quick registration at the Kilimanjaro National Park office, you'll start the ascent into the rainforest. After a mid-hike break to enjoy your packed lunch, you’ll arrive at Machame Camp in the late afternoon. The porters will have your tent ready, with hot washing water provided. After settling in, enjoy a warm dinner in the mess tent.
Day 2
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation gain: 3,000m to 3,850m
Distance: 9 km | Trek time: 4–6 hours | Zone: Moorland
Elevation gain: 3,000m to 3,850m
Distance: 9 km
Trek time: 4–6 hours
Zone: Moorland
Your day starts with tea, coffee, or hot chocolate at 6:30am. After breakfast, you’ll leave the rainforest behind and hike into moorland terrain. The path crosses a valley, climbs a rocky ridge, and then turns toward a river gorge, leading to the Shira Plateau with stunning views of the Western Breach and glaciers. Upon reaching Shira Camp, you’ll be greeted with hot water for washing and snacks. After a relaxing lunch, you’ll have time to explore the nearby Shira Caves or simply rest and relax until your hot dinner is served. Expect cold and windy conditions in this exposed camp.
Day 3
Shira Camp to Lava Tower (4,600m) to Barranco Camp
Elevation gain: 3,850m to 4,600m, then descend to 3,950m
Distance: 12 km | Trek time: 6–7 hours | Zone: Semi-desert
Elevation gain: 3,850m to 4,600m, then descend to 3,950m
Distance: 12 km
Trek time: 6–7 hours
Zone: Semi-desert
After breakfast, embark on a 4–5 hour trek to Lava Tower (4,600m) for acclimatisation. After lunch, descend for 2 hours to Barranco Camp, following the “climb high, sleep low” principle. The hike offers great photo opportunities, including views of Giant Groundsels and the Western Breach. Enjoy a beautiful sunset before dinner at camp.
Day 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley
Elevation: 3,950m to 4,200m
Distance: 7 km | Trek time: 4–5 hours | Zone: Alpine Desert
Elevation: 3,950m to 4,200m
Distance: 7 km
Trek time: 4–5 hours
Zone: Alpine Desert
Start the day with a challenging scramble up the Barranco Wall, which takes about 1.5 hours to complete. After reaching the top, descend slightly into the Karanga Valley, where you’ll camp on a ridge to aid with acclimatization. The remainder of the day is yours to rest and recover, enjoying the surrounding views.
Day 5
Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4,200m to 4,600m
Distance: 6 km | Trek time: 3–5 hours | Zone: Alpine Desert
Elevation: 4,200m to 4,600m
Distance: 6 km
Trek time: 3–5 hours
Zone: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, hike toward Barafu Camp, passing a few glaciers along the way and offering views of Kibo’s southern slopes. The final section heads through valleys and ridges before joining the Mweka Route. Barafu Camp sits at a high altitude on a rocky ridge and offers no water, so be sure to carry enough from Karanga Valley. Once you arrive, take time to prepare your gear for the summit attempt. Dinner will be early to give you the best chance of sleep before waking for your midnight summit ascent.
Day 6
Summit Day! Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4,600m to 5,732m to 5,895m to 3,100m
Distance: 7 km ascent, 23 km descent | Trek time: 6–8 hours ascent, 7–8 hours descent | Zone: Arctic
Elevation: 4,600m to 5,732m to 5,895m to 3,100m
Distance: 7 km ascent, 23 km descent
Trek time: 6–8 hours ascent, 7–8 hours descent
Zone: Arctic
Your summit day starts at 11:30pm with tea, followed by a midnight ascent through scree and winding paths. After 6 hours, reach Stella Point for sunrise, then continue 1-2 hours to Uhuru Peak, Africa’s highest point. After celebrating and taking photos, descend to Barafu Camp for lunch, then continue down to Mweka Camp for the night.
Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3,100m to 1,800m
Distance: 10 km | Trek time: 3–4 hours | Zone: Rainforest
Elevation: 3,100m to 1,800m
Distance: 10 km
Trek time: 3–4 hours
Zone: Rainforest
Enjoy your final breakfast on the mountain as the team congratulates you on your accomplishment. Afterward, descend for about 3 hours to Mweka Gate. Upon arrival, enjoy a celebratory drink while your gear is packed into the van. You'll then be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi. After dinner, you’ll receive your certificate of achievement to commemorate your climb.
Post Climb
Celebration and Departure
Distance: 12 km
Trek time: 6–7 hours
Zone: Semi-desert
Celebrate your incredible achievement! After a quiet, reflective bus ride and the best shower of your life, it’s time to come together, receive your summit certificates, and party the night away. The Uncharted Summits team will ensure smooth departures—whether you’re heading home or on to a safari or Zanzibar. Your transformational journey in Tanzania may be ending, but its impact continues long after you return home.
