Kilimanjaro — the Machame Route

Overview

The Whiskey Route in seven days, with the extra acclimatisation night that takes summit success from likely to expected.

Highlights

• Seven days rather than six — the night that matters at Karanga
• Guides averaging eleven years on the mountain
• Daily pulse-oximetry and a dedicated summit porter

Photographs

Day by day

1. Day 1

   Machame Gate to Machame Camp

   Through the rainforest belt. Wet underfoot, and the last of the birdsong.

   3,010 m Machame Camp All meals 5–7h walking

2. Day 2

   Machame to Shira

   Out of the forest and onto the moorland. The mountain becomes visible and stays visible.

   3,850 m Shira Camp All meals 4–6h

3. Day 3

   Lava Tower, down to Barranco

   Climb high to 4,600 m and sleep low. This is the day acclimatisation is actually earned.

   3,960 m Barranco Camp All meals 6–8h

4. Day 4

   Barranco Wall to Karanga

   A short day by design. The extra night here is why this is seven days and not six.

   3,995 m Karanga Camp All meals 4–5h

5. Day 5

   Karanga to Barafu

   Alpine desert, and an early night. You will be woken before midnight.

   4,673 m Barafu Camp All meals 4–5h

6. Day 6

   Summit day

   Midnight start for Stella Point, then Uhuru at sunrise. Down to Mweka the same day — the longest day of your life, and the shortest.

   5,895 m Mweka Camp All meals 12–16h

7. Day 7

   Down to Mweka Gate

   Back through the forest, certificates at the gate, and a bed with a mattress.

   1,640 m Breakfast 3–4h

What is and is not included