Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Mount Kilimanjaro - Just an hour’s drive from Moshi is the entrance to the Machame route. Here, park formalities are completed, the team of porters is met, and the climb begins! The initial part of the route ascends steadily through a stunning, dense rainforest. This trail is less traveled, so it can be somewhat overgrown in areas and is often wet and muddy underfoot.

Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Mount Kilimanjaro - The journey continues upward through the forest until reaching the steep climb onto the Shira Plateau, offering rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, Mt Meru can be seen towering above Arusha town in the distance.

Shira Cave to Barranco Camp

Mount Kilimanjaro - Now walking on high moorland, the landscape dramatically changes the trek’s character. The path traverses the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing beneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach, eventually reaching camp. The day is spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but the mountaineering principle of ‘walk high, sleep low’ is followed to help the body acclimatize to the altitude.

Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

Mount Kilimanjaro - The day begins with a descent into the Great Barranco, a vast ravine. The route then exits steeply up the Great Barranco Wall, separating the group from Kibo’s southeastern slopes. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing beneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, the path leads to the Karanga valley, the last stop for fresh water before the summit. The terrain now consists of scree as the journey continues through arid and desolate land towards Barafu camp.

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak & Down to Mweka Camp

Mount Kilimanjaro - The ascent begins around midnight, climbing steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. The climb involves 4 to 5 hours on scree, gaining significant height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. The crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) is reached as the first rays of the sun appear. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround the group, and the views to the jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking.

An additional hour of walking leads to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). The descent begins by returning to Stella Point, then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a well-deserved rest.

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Mount Kilimanjaro - A gentle trek descends through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where park formalities are completed and certificates are received, which can be proudly displayed! Vehicles then meet the group for the return to the hotel in Moshi, where a welcome hot shower awaits.

Remember to tip the guides, cooks, and porters, as they will be left here.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

The Machame trail, also referred to as the Whiskey trail, is known for its challenging ascents, in stark contrast to the comparatively simpler Marangu trail, colloquially referred to as the Coca Cola trail. Instead of the gradual slopes and hut-based accommodation of the Marangu trail, climbers on the Machame trail navigate steeper paths, over larger distances, and rest in tents.

A minimum of six days (five nights) is needed to complete a climb on the Machame trail, however, many prefer a seven-day (six nights) schedule for an improved acclimatization comfort. The journey starts at the Machame Gate, situated in the southern base of the mountain, amidst a dense, lush rainforest.

The trail proceeds towards the Shira Plateau before taking a half-circle path along the southern circumference of the mountain, offering panoramic views across all directions. The summit is approached from the east and the descent follows the Mweka trail.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.