Machame, often called the Whiskey route, is Kilimanjaro's most popular trail. It climbs through rainforest and moorland, passes the Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall, and offers varied scenery and a good acclimatisation profile on the 7-day schedule.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 to 7 days |
| Accommodation | Camping |
| Approach | South-west |
| Difficulty | Moderate to hard |
| Summit | Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m |
| Day | Route | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Machame Gate to Machame Camp | Rainforest |
| Day 2 | Machame Camp to Shira Camp | Moorland |
| Day 3 | Shira to Lava Tower to Barranco | Acclimatisation day |
| Day 4 | Barranco Wall to Karanga | Scrambling |
| Day 5 | Karanga to Barafu | Rest before summit |
| Day 6 | Summit Uhuru Peak, descend to Mweka | Summit night |
| Day 7 | Mweka to the gate | Certificates |
Private departures with Maasai guides. Prices shown are current starting prices and each itinerary can be tailored.
It is a steady, demanding trek with a steep Barranco Wall, but no technical climbing. The 7-day schedule is more comfortable than 6 days.
Lemosho is longer, quieter and slightly better for acclimatisation. Machame is shorter and slightly more affordable in time and cost.
It is a tougher trail than Marangu (the Coca-Cola route), hence the nickname.