Machame Route

The Machame route might be popular and flocked with climbers but there is a very good reason why it was nicknamed the whiskey route. It is not a walkover route as it is also a challenge.

What makes the Machame Route difficult is the steep slope on the route’s trail which is best conquered by experienced hikers or novice climbers with great fitness form, as typical days will feature a solid 6-8 hour trek with daily ascents of 900m (2,953 ft.) to 1,000m (3,281 ft.), trekking at the high altitudes cloaking over 3,500m (11, 483 ft.)

You need to be both physically and mentally fit to conquer high altitudes in sometimes harsh weather conditions, hiking form many tiring days over difficult terrain.

First-time climbers are always worried about conquering the dread great Barranco Wall, the truth of the matter is, it is doable, many climbers have done it and porters do it week in the week our with heavy luggage on their back. The difficult part on the Barranco Wall is the step around the wall’s rock outcrop that is a very brief scramble that is not really demanding or tricky – Tranquil Kilimanjaro guides will be there to guide you all the way.

Machame Route offers very beautiful views and a variety of sceneries as you traverse different vegetation and climatic zones of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The trail begins at the base of the rainforest zone proceeding to the low alpine zone of grasslands and moorlands. The route continues to the desert-like alpine zone before reaching the glacial zone in high altitudes. Among the highlighted attractions and places you will encounter along the way include the Shira Plateau, Barranco Wall and Lava Tower.

To climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route you will be required to have permits and entry fees to the Kilimanjaro park and mountain. Fortunately, these entrance fees for Machame Route are included in your all-inclusive Machame Route tour.

To climb the Machame Route, you have to be fit especially if you aim to reach the Uhuru peak summit. This can be achieved by planning carefully and exercising regularly. Adding an extra day to your itinerary minimize altitude sickness is highly recommended.

In order to get to the Machame gate for you, Machame Route trek you will have to get in Tanzania’s airport like the Kilimanjaro international Airport assuming you are flying in from the UK, the US, Australia or Canada and other parts of the world. You will be picked up at the airport by the official tranquil Kilimanjaro staff to your hotel and the day after to begin your Machame Route hike at the Machame Gate.

Tranquil Kilimanjaro may supply some of the gear and equipment you need. However, there are a few essentials you will need for your own use during your Machame Route trek that includes waterproof clothing, a headlamp, sunglasses, appropriate mountain climbing boots, medication, a non-disposable water bottle. You can see the full mountain gear and equipment for your Machame Route trek here.

The best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame route is between the months of January–March, and June–October. You can climb Kilimanjaro’s Machame Route all year round but the wetter and colder months April, May, and November least favourable, Tranquil Kilimanjaro recommends that you carry waterproof mountain gear and equipment.

Take part in any training activity that will boost your fitness to face the Machame Route. Train more is you want to summit and the whole route and climbing experience will be more enjoyable.

Also, make sure you go through your Machame route climbing gear and equipment to make sure you do not miss anything. You can ask the tranquil Kilimanjaro support team in case of anything.

The Machame route can be completed within 6 or 7 days. Tranquil Kilimanjaro recommends the 7 days Machame Route itinerary. The reason being, the 7 days Machame route tour includes an extra acclimatization day to minimize the effects of altitude sickness hence increasing the chances of reaching the summit. The Machame route 7 days tour also gives you two easier days before you attempt the dreaded summit night. That extra day is very important and useful.

The Machame route has a good record of summit success rate that reaches between 80% up to an impressive 90% summit success rate especially on the 7 day Machame route tour that allows an extra day for acclimatization.

The Machame route is undoubtedly one of the busiest routes which many climbers choosing this route because it is very attractive and obviously a high success rate that does not demand many technicalities from climbers.