The Whiskey Route
7 Days | Tented Camping • Scenic • Challenging
Overview
Machame is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro—and for good reason. It offers stunning scenery, good acclimatization, and a high success rate. The “Whiskey Route” is more challenging than Marangu but rewards with breathtaking views.
Itinerary Details
Day 1: Arrival – Moshi
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Transfer to your hotel in Moshi. Evening briefing and gear check.
- Accommodation:Moshi Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- Elevation:1,840m → 3,010m
- Distance:11 km
- Hiking Time:5-7 hours
- Habitat:Rainforest
After breakfast, drive to Machame Gate. Begin your ascent through lush rainforest. Look for colobus monkeys. Machame Camp is nestled in the forest.
- Accommodation:Machame Camp (tented)
- Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
- Elevation:3,010m → 3,850m
- Distance:5 km
- Hiking Time:4-6 hours
- Habitat:Moorland
Leave the forest behind and enter open moorland. The trail climbs steadily, offering views of Mount Meru floating on the clouds. Shira Camp sits on a plateau.
- Accommodation:Shira Camp (tented)
- Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Elevation:3,850m → 4,600m → 3,960m
- Distance:10 km
- Hiking Time:6-8 hours
- Habitat:Semi-desert
“Climb high, sleep low.” Ascend to Lava Tower (4,600m) for acclimatization, then descend to Barranco Camp. Giant groundsels dot the valley.
- Accommodation:Barranco Camp (tented)
- Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
- Elevation:3,960m → 4,050m
- Distance:6 km
- Hiking Time:4-5 hours
- Habitat:Alpine desert
Morning brings the famous Barranco Wall—a scramble, not a technical climb. From the top, views stretch across the valley. Descend to Karanga Camp.
- Accommodation:Karanga Camp (tented)
- Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- Elevation:4,050m → 4,640m
- Distance:4 km
- Hiking Time:4-5 hours
- Habitat:Alpine desert
A short day to rest before the summit. Barafu Camp is rocky and exposed—”Barafu” means “ice.” Briefing for summit night. Rest early.
- Accommodation:Barafu Camp (tented)
- Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
- Elevation:4,640m → 5,895m → 3,100m
- Distance:15 km total
- Hiking Time:12-16 hours
- Habitat:Arctic to rainforest
Midnight: Wake up. Tea and biscuits. Headlamps on. The long march begins.
6:00 AM: Reach Stella Point (5,756m) on the crater rim. Sunrise paints the clouds below.
Another hour: Uhuru Peak—5,895 meters. You’ve made it.
Descent: Back to Barafu for rest, then continue to Mweka Camp in the rainforest.
- Accommodation:Mweka Camp (tented)
- Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi
- Elevation:3,100m → 1,650m
- Distance:10 km
- Hiking Time:3-4 hours
Final walk through rainforest. At Mweka Gate, receive your summit certificate. Transfer to Moshi for celebration.
- Accommodation:Moshi Hotel
- Meals:Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: Departure
Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Meals:Breakfast
Price per person
From $5089
Quick Facts
Detail | Information |
Duration | 7 Days / 6 Nights on mountain |
Accommodation | Tented camping |
Difficulty | Challenging |
Success Rate | 85% |
Price | From $5089 |