MACHAME ROUTE KILIMANJARO – Eland Adventures

Machame Route

The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is a six or seven-day camping route and is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. This trail offers stunning views, a reasonable challenge, and plenty of time to acclimate, making it a good choice for those who have a bit of extra time in their schedule.

According to statistics from Kilimanjaro National Park, approximately 35% of all climbers on the mountain use the Machame route.

The Machame route has been nicknamed the “Whiskey Route” because it is often perceived as being tougher than the Marangu route, which is often referred to as the “Coca-Cola” route. Unlike that trail, however, camping is allowed on Machame, which means trekkers will be sleeping in tents to the summit.

Trekkers who take the Machame pass several well-known Mount Kilimanjaro landmarks while en route, including the famed Lava Tower and Shira Plateau. The route wanders up and down a series of valleys and ridges, which make the walk a bit more strenuous, but rewards hikers with some of the best views on the mountain.

It is for that reason that Machame is widely considered to be the most scenic of all of the routes up Mount Kilimanjaro, providing unique and varied landscapes to pass through every day. The trail starts on the south side of the mountain, passes underneath the Southern Ice Field and makes its summit approach from the Barafu Camp

Machame Route Itineraries

They Call it Safari, We call it Adventure

Machame Route Frequently asked questions

Find Out Answers Here

How difficult is the Machame Route ?

The Machame route is considered one of the less difficult routes on Kilimanjaro as its longer itinerary allows for better acclimatization. However, hikers will still need to ascend the Barranco Wall and climb steeply on summit night. No technical climbing is required but a good level of fitness is highly recommended. You can read more on training to climb Kilimanjaro and our Kilimanjaro training program page to help you prepare accordingly.

What is the distance of the Machame Route and how many days does it take ?

The approximate trekking distance for the Machame Route is 62 km or 37 miles for the entire climb from the trailhead up to the summit and down to Mweka gate. The shortest number of days required for the Machame Route is 6 days, but by the time you have added on arrival and departure days, it is 10. However, as it is a much longer approach route it is best done over 7 or 8 days to increase your chances of success.

What is the Machame Route Summit Success Rate ?

Due to its climb-high sleep-low mechanism, summit success rates on the Machame route are very high. Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate across all operators is 85% for the 7-day trek and a 73% success rate for the 6-day trek. However, We have a 95% summit success rate for the Machame route. Read more about how many days it takes to climb Kilimanjaro to know why we recommend longer treks.

What is the Scenery like on the Machame Route ?

The scenery is extremely varied and you will pass through 5 climatic zones on your way to the summit. The trek begins in the rainforest on the lower slopes before continuing up into the low alpine zone of wild grasslands and moorlands.

From there you trek into the high alpine zone before reaching the glacial zone. You will encounter many incredible vistas and visit stunning places such as Shira Plateau, Barranco and Lava Tower.

When is the best time to Trek Machame Route ?

July-September is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro, as the weather is most stable during this period and encountering rain is less likely. That said, since it is close to the equator it is possible to climb the mountain at any time of the year. April and May are the rainy season so this period is best avoided