Machame Route

Machame is one of the most popular routes of Kilimanjaro.

Amongst the few old Kilimanjaro trekking routes, Machame is the prime one. Not only the oldest route but also Machame Route is the most populous one. The hiking via Machame starts at the rainforest zone and further traverse through rest 4 climatic zones.

Machame is widely known as the Whisky route. Machame Route offers quite a scenic view. The route is a popular choice by many trekkers due to its scenic view and high Success Rate. Out of All 6 Ascending Kilimanjaro Routes, Machame is preferred by 50% of the climbers.

There are 2 reasons for the popularity of Machame Route.

1. It is the oldest climbing routes of Kilimanjaro after Marangu route
2. It offers a great opportunity for acclimatization

However, the Kilimanjaro Machame Route is a bit difficult for the climbers to climb up. The ascending through Barranco Wall on day four is the hardest one. The steppe climbing is though a complete non-technical climb.

If you are someone who has decent physical strength, Machame Route is highly recommended. The route offers a great acclimatizing opportunity following the “walk high and sleep low” rule. Hence around half the population of the climbers prefer Machame to ascend.

Compared to the Marangu Route, Machame offers a long itinerary. Usually, the Kilimanjaro Machame Route takes 6 to 7 days for ascending to the Uhuru Peak.

The hike to the Uhuru peak starts from the foothill and continues through the cultivation zone. The rest of the hiking goes through 4 more different zones such as;

 Rainforest Zone

Heath zone & Mooreland zone

 Alpine desert zone

 Arctic zone

 Few interesting facts about Machame Route:

• The Machame Route is approximately 62 km/ 37 miles from gate to gate
• It is more suitable for those who are considered to be fit
• Machame Route initiates from the southern part of the mountain
• The trail goes through all the 5 climatic zones Kilimanjaro has to offer
• The route offers a good success that is around 85%
• An acclimatizing route preferred by 50% climbers

Machame doesn’t come with hut accommodation like Marangu. It’s a camping route.

The journey to the Uhuru peak starts from the Machame gate. Machame route goes through Machame camp, Shira 2 camp, mweka camp, Lava tower, Shira 2 camp, Barranco camp, and Karanga camp.

The first stopover during the hike is at Machame Camp at the elevation of 9,350 ft. From Machame Camp the hike further goes to the next stopover Shira 2 camps elevated at 12,500 ft.

The trekking next takes the trekker to Lava tower from where you have to hike Shira 2 camp. Crossing Lava tower the hiking continues to the Barranco camp elevated at 13,044 ft.

Our next stop is the Karanga camp elevated at 15,331 ft. From Barranco, the hike goes up to Karanga Camp from where the further hike continues to Barafu camp.

From Barafu camp the final hike continues to the Uhuru peak at 5,895m. From there the descending starts following Mweka route crossing through Mweka camp and Mweka hut.