This know as Whisky route and popular after Marangu Route. Fairly crowded but offers lots of scenery. The Machame route also tends to be our most popular choice because the topography of the route itself is very conducive with good acclimatization and the like hood of summiting of this route is relatively high. 

The Machame route has best acclimatization on day 3 climbing up to Lava tower (4,600m), the same elevation with the base camp Barafu and ascending down to Barranco (3,986 m), and climbing high and sleep low. Through Machame route also you can access or cross the Western Bridge and overnight at Crater Camp or summiting via Western Bridge but not overnight. This is the shortest route to the summit but should taken by experienced climbers.

Itinerary

DAY 1 - MACHAME GATE TO MACHAME HUT

The drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes couple of hours. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain which have good natural forest or trees and very rich on bananas tree. After arrived at the starting gate and do all required registration you will be allowed to start your hiking.

We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

• Elevation: 16,45 m to to 2,865 m
• Distance: 11 km
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest
  
  

DAY 2 - MACHAME HUT TO SHIRA 1

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. This day is where you can start to feel the mountain because its steeper and is where slowly (Pole Pole) pace used so as you can acclimatize well. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest and afternoon hiking will be great for acclimatization, dinner, and overnight at the Shira cave campsite.

• Elevation: 2,865 m to 3,810 m 
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
  
  

DAY 3 - SHIRA 1 TO LAVA TOWER FOR HOT B TO BARRANCO

From the Shira Cave, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth". At Lava tower you will have a hot lunch and it’s the time too for the acclimatization because the elevation of Lava Tower is the same with the Base camp elevation Barafu 4,630 m. After the tower, we continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,960 m. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

• Elevation: 3,810 m to 3,960 m
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Semi Desert
  
  

DAY 4 - BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, This has its nickname and we called it the breakfast wall because soon you finish your breakfast you going to climb it, its little challenges though much parts you will you use your handy, soon you done it you will be on top of Barranco Wall where you can have the amazing view of Kibo peak also the cloud downward from the sport. You will continue your hiking to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

• Elevation: 3,960 m to 3,995 m
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
  
  

DAY 5 - KARANGA TO BARAFU CAMP

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position. After arrived Base camp actually you will have an early dinner so as you can have a time to sleep before you walk up before the midnight for preparations and hiking to summit.

• Elevation: 3,995 m to 4,665 m
• Distance: 4 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
  
  

DAY 6 - BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA HUT

Very early in the morning around midnight to 2am, we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (5,670 m), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. 

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch and short rest. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

• Elevation: 4,665 m to 5,895 m (and down to 3,050 m)
• Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
• Habitat: Arctic
  
  

DAY 7 - MWEKA HUT TO MWEKA GATE

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). After getting to the gate you will sign out and drive to Moshi town for lunch then proceeding with the journey to Arusha for hotel.

• Elevation: 3,050 m to 1,645 m
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

NB: Day 4 can be skipped and this it depend with the climber needs but to do the hiking from Barranco to Base camp is very recommended for the benefit of our clients, this is because of the acclimatization time at the base camp one day before attempt the summit or the climbers can decide to do the Day summit which will be great for the slower climber.