The Machame Route, famously called the Whiskey Route, is one of the most scenic and successful paths to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m). Over seven days, you’ll journey through lush rainforest, vast moorlands, and alpine desert before standing proudly atop Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
With Ready Go Safaris, every detail is handled by expert mountain guides, ensuring safety, acclimatization, and authentic adventure. This route is perfect for hikers seeking both challenge and incredible natural beauty.
Depart Arusha at 8 AM for Machame Village, the starting point of your Kilimanjaro adventure. Begin hiking through dense rainforest alive with fig trees, tropical flowers, and colobus monkeys. After a picnic lunch, continue up the ridge between Semira and Weru Weru streams before reaching Machame Camp by evening.
Start early with hot coffee and a magnificent view of Uhuru Peak. The trail climbs through moorland scattered with volcanic rocks and hardy shrubs. Enjoy lunch below the Shira Plateau, then continue to Shira Camp by mid-afternoon for rest and acclimatization.
Trek across the Shira Plateau toward Lava Tower (15,000 ft), an excellent acclimatization point. After lunch, descend through the stunning Barranco Valley, surrounded by waterfalls and hanging glaciers. Arrive at Barranco Camp in the late afternoon.
Climb the dramatic Barranco Wall, a fun and rewarding scramble with panoramic glacier views. Continue through rolling valleys dotted with giant senecios to Karanga Camp, your stop for rest and acclimatization.
After breakfast, ascend toward Barafu Camp, joining the Mweka Route, which you’ll use for descent. This basecamp, whose name means “ice” in Swahili, sits on a ridge between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Eat an early dinner and rest—your summit attempt starts at midnight.
Begin your climb at midnight with headlamps lighting the way. Reach Stella Point (18,685 ft) by sunrise and continue to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft)—the rooftop of Africa! After celebrating, descend via Barafu to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight rest.
After breakfast, enjoy songs and celebration with your team before descending for 3 hours to Mweka Gate. Receive your official Kilimanjaro climbing certificate (green for Stella Point, gold for Uhuru Peak). Enjoy lunch and return to Arusha for a well-deserved rest.