Route description
Nicknamed the 'Whiskey' route, Machame climbs from the southern rainforest, crosses the Shira Plateau and traverses beneath the southern ice fields. It's one of the most scenic ways up the mountain, with steeper days and the famous Barranco Wall scramble.
Highlights
- Lush rainforest on the first day
- Sunset over the Shira Plateau
- Climb high, sleep low at Lava Tower
- Scrambling up the Barranco Wall
- Sunrise at Uhuru Peak via Stella Point
Itinerary
Log entry · Day 00
Arrival and pre-climb briefing
We meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer you to your hotel (bed and breakfast). Your head guide runs a briefing and gear check, and helps you hire anything you're missing.
Overnight: La Mama Hotel or Panama Hotel, Moshi
Log entry · Day 01
Machame Gate (1,800m) to Machame Camp (2,835m)
A 45-minute drive through Machame village to the park gate, then about 5 hours (11 km) through montane forest.
Overnight: Machame Camp
Log entry · Day 02
Machame Camp to Shira Camp (3,750m)
Emerge from the rainforest and climb a steep rocky ridge, then follow a river gorge west to Shira. About 6 hours (5 km).
Overnight: Shira Camp
Log entry · Day 03
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (3,950m) via Lava Tower (4,600m)
A key acclimatisation day: climb to Lava Tower for lunch, then descend to Barranco. 6–8 hours (10 km).
Overnight: Barranco Camp
Log entry · Day 04
Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (4,673m)
Scramble up the Barranco Wall, stop for lunch at Karanga Camp, then climb on to Barafu for summit night. About 8 hours (10 km).
Overnight: Barafu Camp
Log entry · Day 05
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3,100m)
Wake at 11:30pm and climb past Stella Point to Uhuru Peak. Descend to Barafu for rest and lunch, then on to Mweka. 10–14 hours.
Overnight: Mweka Camp
Log entry · Day 06
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, then Moshi
A 3–4 hour descent to Mweka Gate, where you sign out and receive your summit certificate, then drive back to Moshi.
Overnight: La Mama Hotel or Panama Hotel, Moshi
What's included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off (Kilimanjaro International Airport)
- Transport to and from the park gates
- Two nights' hotel accommodation in Moshi, before and after the climb
- All park entry, camping/hut and rescue fees
- Government taxes
- Professional mountain guides, cook and porters
- All meals on the mountain and treated drinking water
- Pre-climb briefing and kit check
- Summit certificate
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzanian visa
- Travel insurance (must cover trekking to 6,000m)
- Tips for your guides, cook and porters
- Personal trekking gear (available to hire)
- Snacks, drinks and personal items
- Extra nights or meals outside the itinerary