Mt Kilimanjaro Machame Route 9 Days

Mt Kilimanjaro Machame Route 9 Days

Machame Route 

The Machame Route known as the “Whiskey” route begins at Machame Gate, located at the southern base of the mountain. The climb will start in lush rainforest, past the Shira Plateau, and continue beneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice fields, before summiting from Barafu Hut. Machame Route exits at Mweka Gate located east of the entry at Machame Gate.

Accommodation on the mountain is in tents, which the porters will set up prior to your arrival at the campsites.

Day 1 - Arrival

Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport transfer to hotel in Moshi. 

Day 2 - From Machame Hut to Machame Gate
• Trekking distance: 11 kilometers
• Trek time: 5 to 7 hours
• Environment: Montane forest
• Elevation: From 1800 meters to 3000 meters

Day 3 -  From Machame Hut to Shira Hut
• Trekking distance: 9 kilometers
• Trek time: 4 to 6 hours
• Environment: Moorland
• Elevation: From 3000 meters to 3850 meters

Day 4 - From Shira Hut to Barranco Valley Camp via Lava Tower
• Highest point: 4600 meters (at Lava Tower)
• Trekking distance: 12 kilometers
• Trek time: 6 to 7 hours
• Environment: Semi-desert
• Elevation: From 3850 meters to 3950 meters

Day 5 - From Barranco Valley Camp to Karanga Valley Camp
• Highest point: 4200 meters (top of the Barranco Wall)
• Trekking distance: 7 kilometers)
• Trek time: About 4 hours
• Environment: Alpine desert
• Elevation: From 3950 meters to 3930 meters

Day 6 - From Karanga Valley Camp to Barafu Hut
• Trekking distance: 6 kilometers
• Trek time: Around 3 hours
• Environment: Alpine desert
• Elevation: From 3930 meters to 4600 meters

Day 7 - From Barafu Hut to summit Uhuru Peak, descent to Mweka Camp
• Highest point: 5895 meters (Uhuru Peak)
• Trekking distance: 20 kilometers (7 kilometers ascent / 13 kilometers descent)
• Trek time: 12 to 15 hours (6 to 8 hours ascent / 6 to 7 hours descent)
• Environment: Alpine desert/Volcanic scree/Ice-capped summit
• Elevation: From 4600 meters to 3100 meters

Day 8 - Descent from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, return to hotel
• Trekking distance: 8 kilometers
• Trek time: 3 to 4 hours
• Environment: Montane forest
• Elevation: From 3100 meters to 1800 meters

Day 9 - Departure