Kilimanjaro
Machame Route
the classic way up, under canvas
Six or seven days on foot from rainforest to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), sleeping in tents and coming down by the Mweka trail.
scenery, and work to match
What the Machame Route is like
Machame climbs Kilimanjaro from the south-west. Climbers call it the Whiskey Route, a nickname it earned against Marangu, the Coca-Cola Route, because it asks more of you. You sleep in tents, the days are long, and the trail crosses rainforest, moorland and alpine desert before the final climb to the top of Africa.
Its best-known day comes in the middle of the climb. You walk up to around 4,600 m near the Lava Tower, then drop back down to Barranco Camp to sleep. Going high and sleeping lower helps your body adjust to the altitude. The next morning starts with the Barranco Wall, a steep scramble that needs your hands in places but no ropes.
If your dates allow, we would take the seven-day climb. It adds a night at Karanga Camp, which splits the walk to Barafu across two days and gives you longer to acclimatise before summit night. It is also a busy route in the main climbing months, so expect company on the trail.
camp by camp, metre by metre
The climb, day by day
7-Day Machame Route Trek
- Day 1Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Drive to the Machame Gate (around 1,830 m) and trek through montane rainforest to Machame Camp. Overnight at Machame Camp (around 3,050 m).
- Day 2Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Climb out of the forest into moorland to reach Shira Camp. Overnight at Shira Camp (around 3,850 m).
- Day 3Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (via Lava Tower)
Ascend towards the Lava Tower (around 4,650 m) for acclimatisation, then descend to Barranco Camp. Overnight at Barranco Camp (around 4,000 m).
- Day 4Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Climb the Barranco Wall and traverse to the Karanga Valley camp, a shorter day that aids acclimatisation. Overnight at Karanga Valley Camp (around 4,050 m).
- Day 5Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Continue up to Barafu Camp, the base for the summit attempt, with time to rest before the midnight start. Overnight at Barafu Camp (around 4,700 m).
- Day 6Summit Day: Uhuru Peak & Descent to Mweka Camp
Set out in the early hours to attempt Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), then descend by the Mweka route to Mweka Camp. Overnight at Mweka Camp.
- Day 7Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate & Departure
Complete the descent through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate, then transfer back to Arusha.
Altitudes are approximate. Reaching the summit depends on your acclimatisation, your fitness and the conditions on the day.
6-Day Kilimanjaro Trek Machame Route
- Day 1Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Drive to the Machame Gate (around 1,830 m) and trek through montane rainforest to Machame Camp. Overnight at Machame Camp (around 3,000 m).
- Day 2Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Climb out of the forest into moorland, crossing rocky ridges to reach Shira Camp. Overnight at Shira Camp (around 3,840 m).
- Day 3Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (via Lava Tower)
Ascend towards the Lava Tower (around 4,630 m) for acclimatisation, then descend to Barranco Camp beneath the Great Barranco Wall. Overnight at Barranco Camp (around 3,986 m).
- Day 4Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
Climb the Barranco Wall and continue over ridges and valleys to Barafu Camp, the base for the summit attempt. Overnight at Barafu Camp (around 4,600 m).
- Day 5Summit Day: Uhuru Peak & Descent to Mweka Camp
Set out in the early hours to attempt Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), then descend by the Mweka route to Mweka Camp. Overnight at Mweka Camp (around 3,100 m).
- Day 6Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate & Departure
Complete the descent through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate, then transfer back to Arusha.
Altitudes are approximate. Reaching the summit depends on your acclimatisation, your fitness and the conditions on the day.
Is this the right route for you?
Choose it if
- You want big scenery and a real sense of being on an expedition
- You are happy to camp for the whole climb
- You are fit, walk regularly and can give the climb six or seven days
- You want to join a group on a set date
Look elsewhere if
- You want quieter first days and one more day on the mountain Look at Lemosho
- You would rather sleep in a hut than a tent Look at Marangu
Next group climbs on this route
Join others on a set date, or tell us your own dates and we will plan a private climb.
- 2 Jan 2027 to 8 Jan 2027 Ask about this date
- 6 Jan 2027 to 12 Jan 2027 Ask about this date
- 12 Jan 2027 to 18 Jan 2027 Ask about this date
- 28 Jan 2027 to 3 Feb 2027 Ask about this date
- 6 Feb 2027 to 12 Feb 2027 Ask about this date
- 13 Feb 2027 to 19 Feb 2027 Ask about this date
- 26 Feb 2027 to 4 Mar 2027 Ask about this date
- 2 Mar 2027 to 8 Mar 2027 Ask about this date
- 13 Mar 2027 to 19 Mar 2027 Ask about this date
Book this route
Kilimanjaro
Questions climbers ask
It is a long, strenuous walk at high altitude rather than a technical climb, so you need no ropes or mountaineering experience. It asks more of you than Marangu: longer days, a steep scramble up the Barranco Wall, and camping throughout. Reaching the summit depends on your acclimatisation, your fitness and the conditions on the day.
We would take seven. The extra night at Karanga Camp splits the walk to Barafu across two days, so you reach summit night with more time to adjust to the altitude.
It starts at Machame Gate, at around 1,830 m, and finishes at Mweka Gate. You go up by one trail and come down by another, and we transfer you back to Arusha afterwards.
It is the nickname climbers gave it against Marangu, the Coca-Cola Route: the tougher drink for the tougher route.
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