MACHAME ROUTE

• Difficulty: High
• Scenery: Excellent
• Traffic: High

Machame Route is rated as the most beautiful route in Mount Kilimanjaro and is also the most successful and popular hiking route. All your supplies, gears, equipments, luggage will be carried by the porters and lunch prepared by chefs on the mountain. Machame route provides accommodation in tents only as opposed to huts in Marangu route. Thus Machame which is referred to as “Whiskey route” is more appealing to adventure-seeking hikers who also look for better scenery which are not on offer on Marangu.

Machame Route is now by far the most popular route on the mountains and very few people know why it is alternatively known as the “Whiskey route.” The higher success rate and the fact that the route can be completed in 7 days reflect its popularity. Machame approaches Kilimanjaro from the south-west side of the mountain and ascend up to Shira Camp through the dense rainforest before heading south towards Barranco via Lava Tower. After arriving at Barranco, you climb the Great Barranco Wall and head to the camp located at Barafu. The final part of the ascend will be via Stella Point and the descend is through the Mweka route.

Even though Kilimanjaro can be summited in 6 days, a total of 7 days should be set aside for climbing. This additional day makes a huge difference and improves acclimatization and subsequently the success rate. This also allows two easier days before you tackle long summit nights later on in the tour.