Ahsante Tours is the #1 leading local tour operator for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, trusted by most agents. So why not book with us and experience the adventure of a lifetime?
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Best Tour Operator for Mawenzi Peak Technical Climbs -2020
Tanzania's Leading Tour Operator
Nominee for 4 Years in a row since 2019 to 2023
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Machame Route Overview
The Machame Route, often referred to as the “Whiskey Route,” begins on the southwestern side of Mount Kilimanjaro and can be completed in 6 to 7 days. Known for its stunning scenery, it is a popular choice among photographers and nature lovers. The route follows a “hike high, sleep low” strategy, enhancing acclimatization and making it a favorable option for climbers. Throughout the journey, climbers transition from lush forests to moorland and glacier areas, showcasing the diverse landscapes of Kilimanjaro. The adventure concludes at the Mweka Gate, marking the end of a memorable trek.
- Machame Route - Summit Success Rate
- Machame Route Map
- Ahsante Tours’ Experience with Machame Route
The Machame Route holds a special place in the heart of Ahsante Tours and comes highly recommended as their favorite Kilimanjaro route. It carries personal significance for the team, as the CEO, Cuthbert, hails from Machame Village, creating a deep and meaningful connection with the trail. This unique bond adds an extra layer of passion and dedication to every trek, making the Machame Route an unforgettable journey for adventurers.
Free Kilimanjaro
Kit Checklist
Free Kilimanjaro Packing List with gear necessary for the hike and recommendations
from Ahsante Tours Team
Did You Know ?
The Machame Route, known as the "Whiskey Route," is famous for its stunning scenery and diverse landscapes, from rainforest to glaciers!
- Join our Kilimanjaro Group Climbs
7 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route
Price : $2,570 (£ 1,910)
8 Days Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route
Price : $2,897 (£ 2,153)
6 Days Kilimanjaro Marangu Route
Price : $2,300 (£ 1,710)
9 Days Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route
Price : $3,250 (£ 2,415)
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- 6 Days Machame Route Itinerary
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by an Ahsante Tours representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. Your guide will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Meals: Dinner Only.
Accommodation: Weruweru River Lodge.
Half an hour drive from Moshi lies the gate to the Machame route, where you will complete park registrations, then you are off on your 6-day trek. The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.
Distance: 10km / 6.2mi
Duration: 6 – 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation: Machame Camp
Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha City in the distance.
Distance
4.8km / 3mi
Duration
5 – 6 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.
Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp. The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.
Distance
10km / 6.2mi
Duration
7 – 8 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Distance
8.5km / 5.3mi
Duration
7 – 8 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.
We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Distance
13.4km / 8.3mi
Duration
12 – 15 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation
Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.
A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration.
Distance
12.1km / 7.5mi
Duration
6 – 7 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation
Accommodation is at the Weru Weru River Lodge on Bed & Breakfast basis. Alternative accommodation of the same standard will be provided if the primary accommodation option is unavailable.
*For those on a lower budget, you can request for alternative accommodation at a lower price or no accommodation as part of the package.
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*We also welcome you spare an hour of your day to plant a tree, as part of our environmental conservation efforts in the Kilimanjaro region.
*Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania
Meals :Breakfast Included.
- 6 Days Machame route Prices
Climbing Cost Includes
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- 3 Season Mountain tents (double occupancy); except for Marangu route where we overnight in Huts
- Sleeping Bag
- 3-inch-thick foam Sleeping Mat/Pad
- Spacious mess tent with all tables and chairs for rest and dining.
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Transportation to and from the airport (JRO Airport, additional charge of USD 50 for 1 way Arusha Airport tranfer)
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- Three meals daily while on the mountain
- Katadyn filtered water throughout the trek
- Hotel lodging the night before and the night after the climb with breakfast and dinner included (double occupancy)
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Tree donation in support of our environmental conservation projects
- Supplemental Oxygen tanks & Pulse Oximeter
- 1 portable flush toilet with a toilet tent for group sizes of 4 and above.
- Free of charge use of a storage room and a safe room at the lodge
- Celebration dinner at the hotel after the trek
Climbing Cost Excludes
- International and Domestic Flights
- Visa
- Tips to mountain crew (A recommended amount is USD 250-350 per participant)
- Single supplement – The tents are based in double occupancy; a single tent is arranged at an extra charge of USD 20 per day.
- Rental Gears
- Laundry Services
- Travel Insurance (Recommended – Travel insurance with medical cover on trekking to altitudes of up to 6000 meters and a helicopter evacuation)
- 1 portable flush toilet with a toilet tent for group sizes less than 4 people.
Why choose Ahsante Tours
- FAQs about Machame Route
The Machame Route, also known as the "Whiskey Route," is one of the most popular and scenic routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. It offers a more challenging yet rewarding experience for climbers, with diverse landscapes and breathtaking views.
The Machame Route typically takes 6 to 7 days to complete. The additional day is often recommended to aid in acclimatization and improve summit success rates.
The Machame Route has a high summit success rate of around 95%, making it one of the most successful routes for climbers. This is largely due to its "hike high, sleep low" acclimatization strategy.
The Machame Route is a camping route, meaning climbers sleep in tents at designated campsites throughout the journey. Ahsante Tours provides all camping gear, including tents and sleeping arrangements.
The route is known for its diverse and stunning scenery. It begins in lush rainforests, passes through moorland and alpine deserts, and offers spectacular views of glaciers as you approach the summit.
As one of the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro, the Machame Route can be busy during peak climbing seasons. However, its scenic beauty and high success rate still make it a top choice for climbers.
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