12^Feb Sat
08:00

Top of Africa: Kilimanjaro

The Machame Route - also known as the Whisky Route, the Machame Route leads in 7 days up to Africa's highest peak in the Kilimanjaro massif, Uhuru Peak.

In terms of scenery, this stage is probably the most beautiful route, as each day you hike through completely different vegetation zones. 

Overall, it is technically very doable. The varied altitude profile allows a very good acclimatization and through the climbing passage at the "Barranco Wall" one or the other is also technically challenged.

Route description

DAY 1: MACHAME GATE – MACHAME CAMP: 10.75k /7mi | 5-6 hrs | Rainforest

Elevation: 1811m/5942ft to 3021m/9911ft

Altitude gained: 1210m

DAY 2: MACHAME CAMP – SHIRA CAMP: 5.3km/3mi | 4-5hrs | Moorland

Elevation: 3021m/9911ft to 3839m/12,595ft

Altitude gained: 818m

DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP: 10.75km/6mi | 5-6hrs | Semi-Desert

Elevation: 3839m/12,595ft to 3986m/13,077ft

Altitude gained: 147m

DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP: 5.2km/3mi | 3-4hrs | Alpine Desert

Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft

Altitude gained: 48m

DAY 5: HIKE KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP: 3.3km /2 mi | 3-4hrs | Alpine Desert

Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft

Altitude gained: 628m

DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT: 4.86km /3mi up | 5-7hrs | – MWEKA CAMP: 11.5km /7.2mi down | 5-6hrs |

Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit

Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft

Altitude gained: 1233m

Descent to 3106m/10,190ft

Altitude lost: 2789m

DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE – MOSHI: 9.1km/6mi |3-4hrs | Rainforest

Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft

Altitude lost: 1473m