The 6 days Machame route does not include the extra day for acclimatization and is therefore recommended for mountain climbers with previous climbing experience with abilities to acclimatize faster. The Machame route, sometimes known as the “Whiskey” Route, is most likely the most popular route for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The fact that the trail’s surroundings offer unrivalled visual beauty is Machame’s positive and strong point.
This trail, however, is a popular choice among adventurers since it is more difficult, steep, and difficult than the other routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. As a result, climbers who choose this route should have prior high-altitude trekking expertise. Because the Machame trail is shorter, it is ideal for climbers who only need a few days of climbing or who do not have enough time on their hands; otherwise, the longer the route, the higher the chance of reaching the summit.
6 days Machame Route Trail
Hikers ascend Mount Kilimanjaro’s rainforest zone on their way to the Shira Plateau’s ever-beautiful and flat environment. Many trails going to the top converge on the Shira Plateau before diverging in different directions. The road then turns left and heads east, passing beneath Mount Kilimanjaro’s Southern Icefield.
Location of Machame Route and Descending Route
The Machame gate serves as the major starting point for this famous path, which begins on the mountain’s southern side. You’ll need to drive from Moshi Town to reach the Machame Gate, which takes less than an hour. The descent is accomplished through a separate route, the Mweka Route, which leads down the mountain to the Mweka Gate.
Machame to the summit of Uhuru Peak
The Machame path leads from Barafu to Kilimanjaro’s main peak, Uhuru Peak, via the Southern Ice Field on the mountain’s Southern Circuit.
The Machame trek is available in two lengths: a six-day package and a seven-day itinerary, which we strongly suggest because it includes an extra day of acclimatization. The shorter variant package skips Karanga Camp and goes directly from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp on the fourth and fifth days. The starting point for summiting.
What is the difficulty level of the 6-day Machame route package?
Though the Machame Route is considered challenging, the extra day for acclimatization on our 7-day Machame Route itinerary will make it simpler for you than the shorter 6-day itinerary that does not include the extra acclimatization day.
On average, trekking days on the Machame Route last 6-8 hours, with daily altitude gains of 900m to 1000m, or 1,100m to 1,200m on exceptional days. The path is more challenging since it is shorter and steeper than other routes that are more gentle and longer, allowing you more time to acclimate.
Keep in mind that the Machame path is not the most difficult on Mount Kilimanjaro; in fact, it is one of the most popular. All you need is good health and the willingness to climb for several days in severe terrain and weather. Having prior trekking experience, as well as mental and physical readiness, is a benefit.
What is the 6-Day Machame route’s success rate?
The 6-day Machame route itinerary has a 65% – 70% success rate because it excludes the extra day for acclimatization. The 7-day route variation however has a high success rate of over 85%.
Below are some of the previous reviews from clients that attempted Kilimanjaro using the 6 Days Machame Route.
We successfully made it to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro thanks to the great support from our guides and porters from Tranquil Kilimanjaro. It wasn’t easy but so much worth every bit of the climb. We loved the meals and the sunrise at Stella Point.
Szabo Horkai – Budapest, Hungary
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Arrive in Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport or similar to begin your 6-day Machame Route trek, where you will be met by Tranquil Kilimanjaro representatives. Transfer to Chanya Lodge and meet with your climbing manager and guide for a thorough briefing and equipment check. Chanya Lodge or other recommended accommodation options is where you’ll spend the night.
Accommodations: Chanya Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 1
Machame Gate – Machame Camp
Elevation: (1490m) to (2980m)
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 18 kilometers
Habitat: Montane forest
Starting point: The starting point for the 6-day Machame route is at the Machame Gate.
To kickstart your expedition, after an early and hearty breakfast at your hotel in Moshi, you will be picked up and transported to Machame Village from Moshi (1400m). We will carry packed lunch and mineral water. Depending on road conditions, you can drive from the village to the Machame gate, but if not, the muddy 3-kilometer trek will take roughly an hour. You begin to scale the mountain slopes by entering the rainforest almost immediately after registering at the gate office. There’s a good chance of rain in the forest, which will turn the track sloppy, muddy, and hazardous.
You’ll pause for a delicious lunch break approximately halfway through and arrive at the Machame camping location late in the afternoon.
Your porters (who arrived at the campsite far earlier than you) will have already set up your tent when you arrive. Before you retire to your tent for the night, the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare meals. At this location, nighttime temperatures might already be below freezing.
You get up early in Machame camp and ascend about an hour or so to the top of the forest, then walk for two hours across the moorland zone at a softer grade. You proceed over a rough slope onto the Shira plateau after a quick lunch and break. By now, you should be able to see the Western Breach with its magnificent glaciers from an easterly direction. You are now due west of Kibo and will arrive at the Shira campground at 3 840m after a short climb. Before serving supper, the porters will boil drinking and cleaning water. The night will be considerably colder at this exposed camp than the previous night, with temperatures falling far below freezing.
Shira (at 3840m) to Lava Tower (at 4630m) to Barranco camp (at 3950m)
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 km
Habitat: Semi-desert
After around a 5-hour walk, the road bends east through a semi-desert and rocky environment surrounding Lava Tower, where you will reach a height of 4630m. Before hiking the rough scree trail to Lava Tower, lunch is given in a designated area (4630m). This is by far the most difficult day thus far. It is usually about this point, 1′, that some climbers begin to experience symptoms such as dyspnea, irritability, and headaches for the first time. After lunch, you descend about 680 meters to the Barranco camping area, and the entire acclimatization advantage of this day becomes apparent when you reach the high altitude of 4600 meters at Lava Tower.
The descent to Barranco camp takes roughly 2 hours and provides excellent photographic chances of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. While you wait for your meal to be prepared, the camp is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should award you with a magnificent sunset.
After spending the night at the Great Barranco Wall (an intimidating sight at first), you climb this impressive-looking challenge, which usually turns out to be easier than you thought. When you reach the top, right below the Heim Glacier, you realize how stunning Kilimanjaro is. The path then descends through the Karanga Valley, passing through slopes and valleys on its way to reaching the Mweka route. This is the favored descent path from the peak, so keep that in mind. Turn left up the slope and you’ll arrive at Barafu Hut in about an hour.
Because there is no water at Barafu Camp, the last water break on the trek is the Karanga Valley. The Swahili term “Barafu” means “ice,” and it is a desolate and difficult camping spot. The tents are placed on a small, craggy, and perilous ridge, completely exposed to the constant gales. To avoid any mishaps, make sure you familiarize yourself with the terrain before it becomes dark. The top is now 1345 meters higher, and you’ll finish the climb that night. For your summit attempt, prepare your equipment, ski stick, and warm gear. This should involve replacing your light and camera batteries, as well as making sure you have a spare pair on hand. Carry your water in a thermal flask to prevent it from freezing. Go to bed at 19h00 and try to catch up on some much-needed rest and sleep.
Hiking time: 8h to reach Uhuru Peak, 7 – 8h to descend to Mweka
Distance: Approximately 7 km ascent – 23 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You’ll get up at 23h30 and trudge off into the night after some tea and biscuits. You’ll hike over hard scree to Stella Point on the crater rim in a north-westerly direction. This 6-hour hike to Stella Point is the most emotionally and physically demanding trip for many climbers. You’ll take a short break at Stella Point (5685m) and be rewarded with the most spectacular dawn you’ll ever witness (weather permitting). On your 2-hour trek to Uhuru Peak from Stella Point, you will almost certainly encounter snow. The amount of time you spend on the top will be determined by the weather.
Stopping here for too long will make it tough to restart owing to the cold and exhaustion. Take pride in your success and remember this day for the rest of your life. It takes roughly 3 hours to return to Barafu from the peak. You’ll take a well-deserved but brief break here before gathering the remainder of your belongings. The trail is not challenging and will take you through the moorland and into the woodland through a rock and scree path. The camp is located in the higher woodland, so expect mist or rain in the late afternoon. Dinner will be provided, as well as washing water.
Hiking time: 3h Distance: Approximately 15 kms Habitat: Forest
Your team will enjoy a tremendous celebration with dancing and singing after a well-deserved breakfast. You will give your suggestions to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters here on the mountain. You will return to Mweka Gate after partying for three hours. To get a certificate of completion from the National Park, all hikers must sign their names. Hikers who reach Stella Point (5685m) are awarded green certificates, while those who reach Uhuru Peak (5895m) are awarded gold certificates. Hikers will descend into Mweka village for 1 hour after getting certificates (3 kilometers). You’ll be fed a hearty lunch before returning to Moshi for some much-needed rain and more festivities.
When comparing the 7 Days Machame route plan to the 6 Days Machame route package, the 6 Days Machame route package is harder since it excludes an extra day of acclimatization, lowering altitude sickness symptoms and increasing your chances of summiting.
What is the difficulty level of the Machame Route?
The Machame route is more challenging than the others since hikers must ascend the Great Barranco Wall on the fourth day and must settle for a steep slope towards Kibo peak on summit night. It’s worth noting that climbing Mount Kilimanjaro does not need any technical mountaineering abilities.
How can I get ready for the 6-Day Machame trek?
Any form of physical exercise will undoubtedly make climbing simpler and more fun. The more you want to get to the top, the more you need to train. Consider getting some experience climbing at high heights.
What should I bring with me and what equipment do I require?
Some of the gear that will make your Mount Kilimanjaro climbing through the 6-day Machame route simpler will be provided by us, but some essential gear will be required for you to purchase or lease. Well-fitting mountain climbing boots, a headlamp, sunglasses, personal medication, camp, and a non-disposable water bottle are examples of this gear. The whole list of mountain gear and equipment may be found here.
What is the best way to travel to the Machame route?
To get to the Machame Route’s beginning point, the Machame gate, you must first fly into Tanzania, then drive to Mount Kilimanjaro.
Flying into Tanzania’s main international airports, such as Kilimanjaro International Airport, Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, is required for visitors from the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Canada, as well as other parts of the world such as India and the rest of Europe.
What climbing skills are required for the Machame route?
Because Mount Kilimanjaro is a manageable mountain, climbers of all abilities, genders, ages, and fitness levels are invited to hike on it. To reach the summit of Kilimanjaro, however, careful preparation and intensive physical training are still required.
Always choose the longer route options with extra days/time for acclimatization; this ensures a greater summit success rate and less symptoms of altitude sickness.
What permits do I need for the Machame Route of 6 Days?
Your 6-day Mount Kilimanjaro Machame tour package includes all permits and entrance fees; anything not included will be listed on the “cost excluded list” in our itineraries. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries or want any explanations.
6 days Machame Route Trail
