8 Days Machame Route – Kilimanjaro Climb
8 Days & 7 Nights
Short itinerary
- Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Cave Camp
- Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
- Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Barafu Camp
- Day 7: Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp
- Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Itinerary
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
After a three-hour drive from Arusha to the Machame Gate, the trek begins through dense rainforest, rich with lush vegetation and diverse wildlife. The trail leads to Machame Camp, where trekkers rest overnight amidst the tranquil forest setting.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Cave Camp
Leaving the rainforest behind, the path ascends into the heather and moorland zone, offering expansive views of the surrounding landscapes. The day’s trek concludes at Shira Cave Camp, situated on the Shira Plateau.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Leave the rainforest behind as the trail climbs into moorland. The scenery changes dramatically, revealing open landscapes and distant mountain views. The path becomes steeper, and as you gain altitude, the air becomes cooler. Shira Camp is located on a high plateau, offering spectacular sunset views over the valley below.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
The day starts with the ascent of the Barranco Wall, a challenging yet rewarding climb that offers stunning views. The trail then leads to Karanga Camp, providing a relatively short trek to assist with acclimatization.
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
The route continues to Barafu Camp, the base camp for the summit attempt. Trekkers prepare for the final ascent, resting early in anticipation of the midnight departure.
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Barafu Camp
Around midnight, the push to the summit begins. Reaching Stella Point at sunrise, climbers are rewarded with breathtaking views before continuing to Uhuru Peak. After celebrating at the summit, the descent to Barafu Camp follows for a well-deserved rest.
Day 7: Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp
The descent continues to Mweka Camp, passing through diverse ecological zones and offering opportunities to reflect on the journey.
Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
The final leg leads to Mweka Gate, where climbers receive certificates of achievement before returning to Arusha.
Summary
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Night
The Machame Route, often referred to as the “Whiskey” route, is renowned for its scenic beauty and high success rate. This eight-day itinerary offers a gradual ascent, providing excellent acclimatization opportunities and increasing the chances of reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.