Machame Route

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Machame Route

Machame route, otherwise known as the “whiskey route” is one of the most popular routes to summit Mount Kilimanjaro since it has existed on the mountain for many years. According to official Kilimanjaro National Park statistics, the Machame Route is so popular that 50% of climbers use this route to summit Kilimanjaro. It is also definitely one of our favorites alongside the Lemosho Route which is very scenic. Below are some of the reasons why you will fall in love with this route.

Machame Route has one of the highest summit success rates that could easily reach a high 90%. To achieve a high summit success rate, the 7 day Machame Route tour itinerary is recommended.
This route is an amazing acclimatization route as it applies the “walk high, sleep low” principle very well.
The Marangu route rewards climbers with amazing scenery as you traverse vegetation and climatic zones of every kind on your way up the mountain.
The route also gives you the ultimate opportunity to conquer and climb the Great Barranco Wall.
The Machame Route will give you a great chance of reaching the Uhuru peak Summit.

Plan your climb on the Machame route

Difficulty rating: Challenging
Height: The Machame route leads to the Uhuru Peak summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at a staggering height of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet)
Trail conditions: On your way to the summit via the Machame Route, you will trek through a variety of vegetation zones namely: dense vegetation zones, rocky zones, and loose gravel trails. The Machame route is very scenic, rewarding climbers with panoramic views of the mountain and a variety of amazing landscapes
Climbing requirements: Make sure you have all the required mountain gear and equipment as are no technical climbing requirements on this route

Best way to climb Kilimanjaro via Machame Route

To help achieve our summit goal, and have an attractive trail to ourselves, we avoid the high traffic and crowding on the route by waking up ahead of the other climbers, very early in the morning.

We also send some porters from your Kilimanjaro team ahead of you so that they arrive at the next campsites earlier than the others plying that route to make sure that you get the best spot for camping and also make sure that your tent is ready before you arrive from your trek.

By the time you arrive, you will find hot coffee/tea and snacks waiting for you.

Machame Route Map & Location

Map and Location

The Machame route trail leads to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro from the southern side of the mountain, beginning with a short and scenic drive from Moshi town or Arusha City to the Machame Gate. The route runs across the rainforest towards the extensive Shira Plateau.

The route itself offers stunning views and is very scenic with the advantage of boasting a great summit success rate.

Machame Trek Tips

To avoid getting blister while on the Machame Route, make sure you try out your hiking boots and if possible add more insoles to make them more comfortable.
Water is very vital on the mountain, always stay hydrated and carry a reusable and refillable water bottle to keep Kilimanjaro green and to minimize altitude sickness by staying hydrated.
To familiarize yourself with the Machame Route’s camping environment, try out a few camping experiences in your local area to get used to camping facilities and conditions.
Prepare a Machame Route packing list for Mount Kilimanjaro and double-check to make sure you have all the necessary Kilimanjaro climbing gear and equipment.
Enjoy the views on the Machame route’s scenic view and take it slow, it is also part of your mountain climbing adventure.

Machame Route Packages

Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

7 Days Machame Route

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Machame Route was nicknamed the whiskey route because it has been viewed for long as tough. It is indeed tough as compared to the Marangu Route that follows a gentler slope but it is the most popular route for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

The Machame route might be popular and flocked with climbers but there is a very good reason why it was nicknamed the whiskey route. It is not a walkover route as it is also a challenge. What makes the Machame Route difficult is the steep slope on the route’s trail which is best conquered by experienced hikers or novice climbers with great fitness form, as typical days will feature a solid 6-8 hour trek with daily ascents of 900m (2,953 ft.) to 1,000m (3,281 ft.), trekking at the high altitudes cloaking over 3,500m (11, 483 ft.) You need to be both physically and mentally fit to conquer high altitudes in sometimes harsh weather conditions, hiking form many tiring days over difficult terrain. First-time climbers are always worried about conquering the dread great Barranco Wall, the truth of the matter is, it is doable, many climbers have done it and porters do it week in the week our with heavy luggage on their back. The difficult part on the Barranco Wall is the step around the wall’s rock outcrop that is a very brief scramble that is not really demanding or tricky – Tranquil Kilimanjaro guides will be there to guide you all the way.

Machame Route offers very beautiful views and a variety of sceneries as you traverse different vegetation and climatic zones of Mount Kilimanjaro. The trail begins at the base of the rainforest zone proceeding to the low alpine zone of grasslands and moorlands. The route continues to the desert-like alpine zone before reaching the glacial zone in high altitudes. Among the highlighted attractions and places you will encounter along the way include the Shira Plateau, Barranco Wall and Lava Tower.

The exact Machame Route distance from the Machame gate to the Uhuru Summit and back to the descent gate is 62km or 37 miles.

To climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route you will be required to have permits and entry fees to the Kilimanjaro park and mountain. Fortunately, these entrance fees for Machame Route are included in your all-inclusive Machame Route tour.

To climb the Machame Route, you have to be fit especially if you aim to reach the Uhuru peak summit. This can be achieved by planning carefully and exercising regularly. Adding an extra day to your itinerary minimize altitude sickness is highly recommended.

In order to get to the Machame gate for you, Machame Route trek you will have to get in Tanzania’s airport like the Kilimanjaro international Airport assuming you are flying in from the UK, the US, Australia or Canada and other parts of the world. You will be picked up at the airport by the official tranquil Kilimanjaro staff to your hotel and the day after to begin your Machame Route hike at the Machame Gate.

Climb Kilimanjaro Ltd may supply some of the gear and equipment you need. However, there are a few essentials you will need for your own use during your Machame Route trek that includes waterproof clothing, a headlamp, sunglasses, appropriate mountain climbing boots, medication, a non-disposable water bottle. You can see the full mountain gear and equipment for your Machame Route trek here.

The best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame route is between the months of January–March, and June–October. You can climb Kilimanjaro’s Machame Route all year round but the wetter and colder months April, May, and November least favourable, Tranquil Kilimanjaro recommends that you carry waterproof mountain gear and equipment.

Take part in any training activity that will boost your fitness to face the Machame Route. Train more is you want to summit and the whole route and climbing experience will be more enjoyable. Also, make sure you go through your Machame route climbing gear and equipment to make sure you do not miss anything. You can ask the tranquil Kilimanjaro support team in case of anything.

The Machame route can be completed within 6 or 7 days. Tranquil Kilimanjaro recommends the 7 days Machame Route itinerary. The reason being, the 7 days Machame route tour includes an extra acclimatization day to minimize the effects of altitude sickness hence increasing the chances of reaching the summit. The Machame route 7 days tour also gives you two easier days before you attempt the dreaded summit night. That extra day is very important and useful.

The Machame route has a good record of summit success rate that reaches between 80% up to an impressive 90% summit success rate especially on the 7 day Machame route tour that allows an extra day for acclimatization.

The Machame route is undoubtedly one of the busiest routes which many climbers choosing this route because it is very attractive and obviously a high success rate that does not demand many technicalities from climbers.

Machame Route

Machame Route

Plan your climb on the Machame route