Discover the Whiskey Route on Your Hike
The Machame route, also known as the "Whiskey" route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Machame's drawing is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep, and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore, this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking, or backpacking experience. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. The path leads hikers through the rainforest to Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro's routes converge. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
Holiday Adventure Africa is happy to offer you the chance to get to the roof of Africa via the Machame route from 6 to 8-day tours. Below is the itinerary and price for a sample 7-day Machame route climbing. Please kindly download detailed programs for 6-day, 7-day, and 8-day tours in these links and Holiday Adventure Africa Gallery.
Below is the itinerary for a sample 7-day tour.
Itineary
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Hut Camp
Departing from Moshi town, we will take a 45-minute drive to Machame Gate, located at 1811/5942ft. When finishing the registration and hot lunch, we will start the walk through the lush rainforest, which will take us 4 to 6 hours. Soon when arriving at Machame Hut, you will sign your name in the camp tracking book and spend the first night in nature
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Elevation:
1811m/5942ft to 3021m/9911ft
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Distance:
11km/6.8mile
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Altitude Gained:
1210m
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Hiking Time:
4-6 hours
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Habitat:
Mountain Forest
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Meals:
Lunch – Dinner
Day 2: Machame Hut Camp to Shira Camp
Starting to climb from the Shira plateau, our first walk will be steep, and the naked heathers at this altitude provide little shade from the heat. The path after lunchtime will be dusty, so using gaiters will be a good choice. Despite all the difficulties this route may bring, taking it slowly, resting frequently, and wholeheartedly enjoying enroute views that encompass Kibo Meru and all points down the foothills of the mountain. The route later will turn west onto a deep river gorge until we arrive at Shira One campsite.
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Elevation:
3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
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Distance:
5.3km/3.3mile
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Altitude Gained:
818m
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Walking Time:
4-6 hours
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Habitat:
Moorland
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Meals:
Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
We’ll start early in the morning and trek towards the west of the Southern slopes of Kibo through the dry terrain of the Shira Plateau. The trek will cover 10.75km which will take us to the amazing Barranco Valley. 147m gain might surprise you, you end your day at the almost same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization
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Elevation:
3850m/12600ft to 4000m/13000ft
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Distance:
10.75km/6.7mile
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Altitude Gained:
147m
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Hiking Time:
7-10 hours
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Habitat:
Semi-Desert
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Meals:
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karange Upper Camp
Today we will continue our journey by climbing Breakfast Wall and gaining 220m. Our walk will pass across the ridges and valleys to Karanga Upper Camp (Round Nuts Camp) at 4034m. On reaching Karanga Camp, we will have a hot lunch and optional an acclimatization trek up the scree slopes towards the Southern ice fields. This will increase our chances of reaching the top of Africa Uhuru Peak. You will camp and overnight at Karanga Upper Camp.
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Elevation:
3986m/13077ft to 4034m/13235ft
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Distance:
5.1km/6mile
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Altitude Gained:
220m
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Hiking Time:
4-5 hours
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Habitat:
Alpine Desert
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Meals:
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
Day 5: Karanga Upper Camp to Baranfu Base Camp
Our day will start by making our way between the boulders and over the sheltered rock and stones, before a short scramble up the cliff that brings us to Baranfu Ridge and camp at 4662m. We will try to get some food and rest as soon as possible then sort your preparations for the next stage before it turns dark.
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Elevation:
4034m/13235ft to 4662m/115295ft
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Distance:
3.5km/2mile
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Altitude Gained:
628m/2060ft
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Hiking Time:
4-6 hours
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Habitat:
Stone Scree
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Meals:
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
Day 6: Baranfu Base Camp to Uhuru Peak- Descent to Millenium camp
Very early in the morning (midnight up to 2 am), we depart to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head into northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and the reward will be one of the most magnificent sunrises you have ever seen in your life. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak at 5895m, you reach the top of Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world and the peak of Africa!
As soon as from Uhuru peak, we begin our descent by continuing straight down to Barafu Camp where we will have maximum 1 hour to rest. We will then continue the trek down to Millenium Camp at 3827m where we will camp and overnight.
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Elevation:
Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft (Baranfu Camp) up to 5745m/18848ft (Stella Point) up to 55895/19341ft (Uhuru Peak) down to 3827m/12556ft (Millenium Camp)
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Distance:
Ascent distance: 4.86km/3mile
Descent distance: 11.5km/7.1mile
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Altitude Gained:
1233m Altitude gained
2789m Altitude lost
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Hiking Time:
13-15 hours
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Habitat:
Ice capped summit
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Meals:
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
Day 7: Mweka Hut to Mwaka Gate, back to Moshi Town
We’ll start early in the morning and trek down through the dusty path into the beautiful rainforest that will take us to Mweka Gate. The walk today will take you 5 to 6 hours. At the gate, we’ll have a picnic lunch, songs from your team and certificate presentation before driving to the hotel where you’ll have dinner and overnight.
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Elevation:
3090m/10150ft to 1680m/5500ft
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Distance:
10km/6.2mile
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Altitude Gained:
1410m/4650ft
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Hiking Time:
5-6 hours
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Habitat:
Forest
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Meals:
Breakfast-Lunch