The Machame Route, famously known as the Whiskey Route, is a classic and well-loved trail for climbing Kilimanjaro. Kizza Adventures organizes numerous expeditions annually on this route, which begins in a stunning tropical forest. The Machame Route is offered in both 6- and 7-day itineraries, with the latter providing better acclimatization and a higher summit success rate. The 7-day Machame route is ideal for beginners, offering breathtaking views as you hike through all five climatic zones of Kilimanjaro, scale the impressive Barranco Wall, and admire the unique Dendrosenecio kilimanjari plants found nowhere else in the world.
When deciding between the 6- and 7-day Machame Route itineraries, it’s important to consider your acclimatization needs and experience level. The 6-day itinerary has significantly lower summit success rates and is only suitable for experienced trekkers or those with prior acclimatization. This variation skips the intermediate stay at Karanga Camp, making it harder to adapt to the high altitude and increasing the challenge of summiting. This shorter option is often marketed by budget tour operators, but it’s not recommended for beginners.
Many travelers are curious about the summit success rates for different Kilimanjaro trekking routes. Since 2014, Kizza Adventures has meticulously gathered data from thousands of Kilimanjaro climbs.
As illustrated, the 7-day Machame itinerary boasts a significantly higher summit success rate compared to the 6-day variation, making it one of the best options for climbers. The route converges with the Lemosho and Umbwe routes on the third day, continuing as a single path to the summit. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for both novice and seasoned trekkers.
Many operators claim high success rates, but verifying their numbers can be challenging. At Kizza Adventures, our impressive summit success rates are backed by several critical factors:
Expert Guides and Porters: We employ the best Kilimanjaro guides, porters, and specialists, offering top-notch work conditions and salaries to attract the best talent.By choosing the Machame Route with Kizza Adventures, climbers can expect a well-supported, safe, and successful journey to the top of Kilimanjaro.
Our classic adventures are designed to meet the needs of most climbers, offering a blend of comfort and high safety standards. These Kilimanjaro hikes are both enjoyable and memorable, making them the most popular choice among our clients.
Kizza Adventures provides everything required for the climb, including experienced mountain crews, high-quality group equipment, and meals designed by nutritionists. Safety protocols are consistent across all our hikes: only guides certified in Wilderness First Responder lead our parties. Additional safety measures include oxygen cylinders, comprehensive medical kits, and mandatory medical check-ups twice daily.
Each trekking party's progress is tracked with a GPS device, allowing you to share a link with family and friends so they can monitor your journey in real-time. Before and after the adventure, you will stay in a comfortable hotel with attentive staff, hot water, reliable Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and a swimming pool.
Kizza Adventures ensures that your Kilimanjaro experience is safe, comfortable, and unforgettable.
Upon arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be welcomed by a representative from Kizza Adventures and transferred to your hotel. The hotel offers cozy rooms, hot water, courteous staff, a swimming pool, and internet access, ensuring a comfortable stay. In the evening, there will be a briefing with our managers to ensure you are fully prepared for the climb. Private tour packages include shared airport transfers for your group, with additional charges for extra individual transfers. To avoid extra costs, align your group's arrival and departure times.
In the morning, a guide and a mountain support crew from Kizza Adventures will arrive at the hotel for a quick briefing. You will then travel by vehicle to the entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park: Machame Gate. After the formalities of obtaining climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will begin the trek to Machame Camp. The route passes through the rainforest, where tropical showers are likely, so it’s advisable to bring spare clothes and a raincoat. Note: This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is crucial to follow these instructions:
Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (in small, frequent sips).Many climbers take these pills in the morning before starting the ascent to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. Our managers will provide more details along with your travel itinerary. We recommend consulting your doctor before the trip to discuss any potential allergies or health concerns. At night, you might experience discomfort due to acclimatization to the high altitude. Because of reduced breathing patterns at night, your body gets less oxygen than during the day, which might cause sickness or headaches. Pay attention to your body and inform your guide if you experience any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Trekking time: 5-6 hoursAfter breakfast, you will start trekking to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp. On this day, you will leave the rainforest and witness stunning views of the Shira Plateau. Technically, the trek is not very challenging, but you may feel the altitude change. Pay attention to your body and maintain a proper pace for good trekking. Upon reaching the camp, you will have lunch and rest, followed by an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp, gaining 400 meters/1,312 feet in altitude. After the hike, you will return to Shira Camp for a hot dinner.
Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight altitude gain designed to speed up the acclimatization process. Taking these hikes seriously increases your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and prevents altitude sickness. Acclimatization hike:After breakfast, you will leave Shira Camp and head to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,600 m / 15,088 ft). This section involves many ascents and descents, ending at a camp over 4,600 meters/15,088 feet. Some portions of the trek may be challenging, and discomfort is common, but spending at least 1-2 hours here is essential for acclimatization. Our groups enjoy lunch at the top of Lava Tower. After lunch, you will descend to Barranco Camp, where you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in its size and steepness. The next day you will climb it, but don’t worry—it features a simple hiking trail and is not intimidating at all.
Trekking time: 6-8 hoursThe day begins early with a hearty breakfast before starting the climb up Barranco Wall. To avoid congestion from other groups, it’s best to leave camp as early as possible. The climb up the wall is not difficult and takes about an hour. Once at the top, you can rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano. Next, you’ll tackle a more challenging hike to Karanga Camp, which includes multiple ascents and descents. Our guides are skilled in maintaining an optimal pace for the group. Upon reaching Karanga Camp, you’ll be served a warm lunch. After a couple of hours, you will continue to Barafu Camp where a hot dinner awaits. It’s advisable to spend the rest of the day resting and sleepisng in preparation for the night’s summit.
Trekking time: 8-10 hours
The final ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,336 ft) begins at night from Barafu Camp. While technically straightforward, the high altitude makes physical activity exhausting. Each pair of climbers will be accompanied by a personal guide to monitor their condition. After reaching Uhuru Peak, you can choose to descend to the nearest glacier. Then, you will return to Barafu Camp for a 2-hour rest before continuing the descent to Millennium Camp. Note: 90% of accidents occur during the descent, including most broken limbs. Pay close attention to your footing to avoid injuring your toenails.
Trekking time: 8-12 hoursMillennium Camp is located in a tropical rainforest. Upon waking, you’ll feel relief from the lower altitude and satisfaction from summiting. After a warm breakfast, you’ll head to Mweka Gate. At the gate, the group will gather to celebrate, and you’ll have the opportunity to share your thoughts on the climb in the guestbook. You will then receive your commemorative certificates at our office and be transferred back to your hotel.
Trekking time: 4-5 hoursRelax at the hotel before your transfer to the airport. Note: Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. If you need a late check-out due to an evening flight, you can extend your stay for an additional fee.
The Machame Route is a popular path to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, reaching Uhuru Peak. Known for its favorable acclimatization profile, high summit success rates, and scenic views, the seven-day itinerary is a favorite among climbers. Along the way, you’ll climb the Barranco Wall, encounter unique local flora and fauna, and witness an incredible sunrise over the African plains from Uhuru Peak.
The Machame Route starts at the southwest gate of Kilimanjaro National Park. During the seven-day climb, you’ll see iconic landmarks such as the Barranco Wall, Shira Volcano, Lava Tower, Karanga Valley, views from the southern circuit, Stella Point, and more. The descent follows the Mweka Trail, offering additional spectacular views. Overall, the Machame Route is scenic and the 7-day itinerary is an excellent choice for both seasoned trekkers and beginners.
The Machame route on Mount Kilimanjaro is often referred to as the "Whiskey Route" because it was once considered more challenging compared to the easier "Coca-Cola Route" of Marangu. However, with the advancements in the organization of modern expeditions, this distinction is not as pronounced. In fact, current data indicates that the seven-day Machame route now boasts much higher summit success rates compared to any Marangu route itinerary.
The Machame 7 and Lemosho 7 routes have many similarities. Both offer excellent acclimatization profiles, high summit success rates, and stunning views. The primary difference lies in their starting points. Lemosho 7 begins with a high-altitude drop-off by vehicle at 3,414 meters, while Machame 7 starts at Machame Gate at 1,800 meters above sea level. This means you'll have an acclimatization jump-start on the Lemosho route, which might feel uncomfortable in the initial days but pays off in the long run. On the other hand, the Machame route provides a more gradual acclimatization experience, allowing you to enjoy hiking through a tropical forest.
These two classic itineraries are often compared. The Marangu route is unique as it is the only one offering overnight stays in dormitory-style huts, making it a good choice for rainy season climbs, along with northern Kilimanjaro routes like Rongai 7. Both Machame and Marangu 6 routes are fairly busy, with Marangu possibly being more crowded as it follows the same path for ascent and descent, limiting the diversity of sceneries. The summit success rates are similar for both routes, with around 87% of hikers reaching the summit. This is slightly lower than longer itineraries like Lemosho 7 or Machame 7 due to the more challenging acclimatization profiles. If choosing between Machame 6 and Marangu 6, we would recommend Marangu 6.
The Machame 7-day itinerary is easier than many other Kilimanjaro routes. No technical climbing skills are required for this route. Basic equipment and trekking poles will suffice. The Machame 7 is suitable even for beginners due to its gradual acclimatization profile. However, the shorter Machame 6-day variation is significantly more challenging. We recommend it only for strong trekkers with previous experience or travelers with robust prior acclimatization.
The Machame route expeditions are available in two itineraries: 6 or 7 days on the mountain, not including extra days before or after the expedition itself. At a minimum, you should plan to spend 8-9 days in Tanzania.
The Machame route 7-day variation is an excellent choice for beginners climbing Kilimanjaro, boasting one of the highest summit success rates. It is a moderately difficult route, and the 7-day itinerary makes the acclimatization transitions much easier. However, the 6-day Machame route itinerary should only be considered by those with serious high-altitude trekking experience and/or prior acclimatization.
Kizza Adventures offers well-organized expeditions along the Machame route, ensuring climbers have the best chance of success and an enjoyable experience.
In conclusion, the Machame route, with its blend of diverse landscapes and optimal acclimatization profile, stands out as one of the best ways to experience the majesty of Mount Kilimanjaro. Whether you are a seasoned trekker or a beginner, the seven-day itinerary offers a challenging yet rewarding adventure with high summit success rates. Choosing the right tour operator is crucial to ensure a safe and enjoyable climb, and Kizza Adventures is committed to providing top-notch services, expert guides, and unparalleled support to make your Kilimanjaro dream a reality.
Are you ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime? Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame route with Kizza Adventures is not just a trek; it's a journey through lush rainforests, over stunning ridges, and up to the breathtaking Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Our experienced guides, exceptional safety standards, and dedication to your success ensure that you have the best possible chance of summiting and creating unforgettable memories.
Join us and discover why so many adventurers choose Kizza Adventures for their Kilimanjaro climb. Let’s conquer the Roof of Africa together, one step at a time. Book your adventure today and take the first step towards an experience you'll cherish forever!
