Kilimanjaro National Park
Mount Kilimanjaro Machame “Whiskey” Route
Ascend the highest free-standing mountain on Earth and the Rooftop of Africa. The Machame Route offers superb “climb high, sleep low” acclimatization topography.
- Region
- Kilimanjaro National Park
- Country
- Tanzania
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Terrain
- Volcanic Plateau
- Distance
- 62 km
- Elevation gain
- +4900 m
- Max altitude
- 5895 m
- Duration
- 6 - 7 Days
- Best months
- Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug, Sep
- Permit
- KINAPA Mandatory Guide, Porters & Mountain Rescue Fee
You experience 5 distinct climatic zones in 6 days: lush montane rainforest, heath moorlands with giant senecios, alpine desert, and the glaciated volcanic crater of Uhuru Peak standing above the cloud ocean.
Cultural notes: Located in the homeland of the Chagga people who farm the lush volcanic foothills. Kilimanjaro songs like “Jambo Bwana” and “Kilimanjaro Hakuna Matata” fuel team spirit.
Wildlife notes: Blue Monkeys and Colobus Monkeys in rainforests, Four-striped Grass Mice in moorlands, and soaring White-necked Ravens.
Key hazards
- Severe altitude illness (AMS) caused by rapid elevation gain to 5,895m
- Extreme nocturnal cold on summit night (-15°C with wind chill)
- Scrambling on the steep Barranco Wall
- Dust inhalation on the scree descent from Barafu
Essential gear
- -15°C Heavy Expedition Down Parka & Thermal Base Layers
- High-Lumen Headlamp with Lithium Cold-Resistant Batteries
- Insulated Hydration Tube Cover (Prevents water freezing on summit night)
- Sturdy Trekking Poles for 2,800m Knee-Jarring Descent
- Suggested pack list:
- - -15°C Expedition Down Parka (890g, mandatory)
- - -20°C Mummy Sleeping Bag (1400g, mandatory)
- - Insulated Dual-Wall Thermal Flask (360g, mandatory)
Waypoint-by-waypoint
| # | Waypoint | Dist. | Elev. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Machame Rainforest Gate (camp) | 0 km | 1800 m | Dense mossy trees, blue monkeys, registration and porter weigh-in. |
| 2 | Shira Plateau Camp (camp) | 19 km | 3840 m | Emerging above the clouds with stunning sunset view of Mount Meru. |
| 3 | Lava Tower & Barranco Valley (camp) | 31 km | 4630 m | Acclimatization crux: climb to 4,630m for lunch, then sleep at 3,960m. |
| 4 | Barafu Summit Basecamp (camp) | 46 km | 4680 m | Windswept high camp. Early dinner and rest before midnight summit push. |
| 5 | Uhuru Peak (5,895m) - Summit of Africa | 51 km | 5895 m | Reach Stella Point at dawn; stand on the highest peak in Africa as the sun breaks. |
