9 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Because it has a great success rate and is really attractive the Machame route is undoubtedly the busiest on the mountain. Over 7 days, you have a fantastic journey and a great chance of summiting successfully.

The climb begins at Machame Gate, at an altitude of 1800 meters, with an approach to the southwest of the mountain. It passes through the majestic rainforest on the first day, before continuing up the mountain to reach Shira Camp, where the Lemosho route joins from the west.

From here you traverse the southern side of the mountain to Barranco via Lava Tower and climb the Great Barranco Wall on your way to Barafu Camp. After reaching the summit, you will descend by the Mweka trail, rather than retracing your steps along the ascent route.

The Machame route is nicknamed the ‘Whiskey Route’ as it is considered more difficult than the ‘Coca Cola Route’, the nickname for the Marangu route. In reality, it is not more technically difficult but is longer and in places steeper.

The longer distance and the opportunity to ‘walk high, sleep low’ offer much better acclimatization and as a result a very high success rate.

The Machame route is a good seven-day hike for those who have not trekked much at high altitudes, with an effective extra day’s acclimatization, giving a better success rate. Experienced and already acclimatized mountaineers may opt for the more difficult 6-day ascent along the Machame route.