The 7-day Machame Route, also known as the "Whiskey Route," offers a thrilling yet challenging trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Known for its scenic beauty and varied landscapes, this route provides trekkers with diverse environments, from lush rainforests to high-altitude deserts. The extended 7-day itinerary with Serengeti Savanna Adventures allows for better acclimatization, increasing the chances of a successful summit. The journey begins at Machame Gate, ascending through lush forests, passing Shira Plateau, and navigating the famous Barranco Wall before reaching the Uhuru Peak. This route is ideal for adventurous trekkers looking for a blend of natural beauty and a rewarding challenge. After trekking you will explore Serengeti and Ngorongoro for 3 Days where you will spot all the Bog Five Animals.
The drive from Moshi/Arusha to the Machame Gate takes approximately 50 minutes, passing through the village of Machame on the lower slopes of the mountain. After leaving the park gate, we embark on a winding trail through the dense rainforest, ascending a ridge until we reach Machame Camp.
We depart from the rainforest glades and follow an ascending path up a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we traverse through heather and open moorlands before crossing a large river gorge to reach Shira 2 Camp.
We proceed east up a ridge, then head southeast towards the Lava Tower, a striking 300-ft volcanic rock formation. From there, we descend to Barranco Camp, passing through the unique Senecio Forest, to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although we start and finish the day at the same elevation, spending time at higher altitudes aids in acclimatization.
We start the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. We then climb the steep, nearly 900-ft cliff—non-technical but challenging. From the top of the Barranco Wall, we traverse a series of hills and valleys before making a sharp descent into Karanga Valley. A final, steeper climb brings us to Karanga Camp. This shorter day is designed for acclimatization.
We depart from Karanga and join the Mweka Trail at the junction. We then ascend through a rocky section to reach Barafu Hut. At this point, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, offering views of the summit from various angles. We set up camp here, rest, and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. From this location, both the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible.
Very early in the morning, around midnight, we begin our challenging ascent to the summit. This portion of the trek is both mentally and physically demanding, with extreme cold and wind. We proceed in darkness with frequent short breaks. As we near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will witness a breathtaking sunrise over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Africa. After summiting, we descend to Mweka Hut, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is rocky and tough on the knees, so trekking poles are beneficial. Mweka Camp, located in the upper forest, may experience mist or rain in the late afternoon. We conclude the day with our final dinner on the mountain and a well-deserved rest.
On the final day, we descend to Mweka Gate to collect our summit certificates. The trail can be wet and muddy at lower elevations. From the gate, we continue to Mweka Village, where a vehicle will transport us back to our hotel in Arusha. We’ll have an overnight stay and time to relax and recover.
Mount Meru Hotel Arusha
