Kilimanjaro Machame Route – 9 Days Adventure with CATS
The Machame Route is one of Kilimanjaro’s most scenic and popular paths. Its steep trails, lush forests, and stunning high-altitude landscapes make it a favorite among climbers. Over half of Kili’s trekkers choose this route, earning it the nickname the “Whiskey Route” due to its challenge.
Why choose Machame?
- Excellent acclimatization for a higher chance of summit success
- Option to descend via a different route for a varied experience
- Trek through rainforest, alpine moors, the Shira Plateau, and the Southern Ice Fields
- High scenic value with impressive views throughout the climb
This route uses tents, carried and set up by our porters. You’ll need proper gear and a warm sleeping bag, details of which are provided below. Fit and prepared climbers will enjoy a memorable and rewarding ascent.
Itinerary
Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi
Meals: Dinner
Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport, where a CATS driver will meet you and transfer you to the Springlands Hotel (or similar) in Moshi. Enjoy dinner and rest, preparing for your Kilimanjaro adventure.
Day 2: Machame Gate – Machame Camp
1,490 m / 4,888 ft – 3 km / 1.8 mi to gate; 5–6 hours trekking
We start early with a briefing covering safety, expectations, and climb logistics. After breakfast, you’ll drive 45 minutes from Moshi to Machame Village. From there, it’s a short walk or drive to Machame Gate, where you complete registration and begin your ascent.
The trail winds through lush rainforest with towering ferns and occasional sightings of black-and-white colobus monkeys. Rain is common here, making the trail muddy at times. Arrive at Machame Camp, enjoy a hot meal, warm water for washing, and rest for the next day. Temperatures can drop to freezing overnight.
Day 3: Machame Camp – Shira Camp
3,840 m / 12,598 ft – 6–8 hours
After breakfast, leave the rainforest and ascend gradually through heathland. Take a lunch break before continuing to Shira Plateau, with panoramic views of Kilimanjaro’s glaciers on the western mountain range. Arrive at Shira Camp, enjoy dinner, warm water, and rest. Nighttime temperatures can fall below freezing.
Day 4: Shira Camp – Barranco Camp
4,430 m / 14,534 ft – 5–7 hours
Today focuses on acclimatization. Hike through semi-desert rocky terrain toward Lava Tower. Some climbers may feel mild altitude effects like breathlessness or headaches. After lunch, descend 680 m / 2,230 ft to Barranco Camp, observing giant senecios and lobelia plants along the way. Enjoy a memorable sunset below the Great Barranco Wall and dinner at camp.
Day 5: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp
4,035 m / 13,238 ft – 3–4 hours
Scale the Barranco Wall, requiring some scrambling with hands for stability. This is a key acclimatization challenge and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. Descend into Karanga Camp, set on a stony ridge, and enjoy rest and dinner while reflecting on the journey so far.
Day 6: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp
4,640 m / 15,223 ft – 3–4 hours
After a high-energy breakfast, trek through high-desert terrain toward Barafu Camp, with Kilimanjaro’s glaciers visible to the left. Arrive in time for an early dinner and gear preparation for the summit push. Check batteries, secure water in thermal flasks, and rest in your sleeping bag for a few hours before the midnight ascent.
Day 7: Summit Day – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp
5,895 m / 19,340 ft – 10–12 hours total
Wake at 23:30 / 11:30 pm for tea and biscuits before the final ascent. Trek through night conditions with only moonlight and headlamps, gradually reaching Stella Point (5,685 m / 18,651 ft) for sunrise (weather permitting). Continue to Uhuru Peak, Africa’s highest point, for photos and celebration.
Begin descent to Barafu Camp (3 hours), then continue to Mweka Camp (3,100 m / 10,170 ft) for dinner and rest.
Day 8: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi
890 m / 2,920 ft – 2–3 hours
Enjoy your final mountain breakfast before descending through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where your CATS team will meet you. Transfer to the Springlands Hotel in Moshi for a hot shower and a celebratory meal. Tipping your guides and porters is appreciated—see our tipping guide for recommendations. Climbers who reach Stella Point receive green certificates, and those who reach Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates.
Day 9: Departure or Safari Extension
Your CATS driver will transfer you to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home, or you may continue to a Tanzania safari at Serengeti, Ngorongoro, or other wildlife parks. Kilimanjaro is no longer just a name—you’ve conquered it, earned your certificate, and created memories to last a lifetime.
Highlights of the Machame Route with CATS:
- Scenic route through rainforest, alpine moorland, Shira Plateau, and Southern Ice Fields
- Excellent acclimatization and high summit success rate
- Camping in tents carried and set up by porters
- Panoramic views from Barranco Wall, Karanga, and Barafu Camp
- Summit of Uhuru Peak, Africa’s highest point
- Green and gold certificates for climbers
