Kilimanjaro Machame Route: A Detailed 6-Day Trek Review

So, you’re thinking of climbing Kilimanjaro, huh? That’s very cool! The Machame Route is often called the “Whiskey Route,” very possibly because it’s seen as a bit more tough-going compared to, say, the Marangu Route. It’s an absolutely great choice because it gives you stunning scenery, a really good chance to get used to the altitude, and hopefully, fingers crossed, the summit. My take on it is this: It’s tough, yep, but absolutely worth all the effort.

What Makes the Machame Route Special?

First off, the scenery. This isn’t just a walk, is that right? It’s like trekking through a bunch of postcards. That is, you get rainforests, moorlands, alpine deserts, and icy landscapes all in one trek! Each day the environment changes, meaning it’s very unlikely you’ll get bored. The route is a bit longer and has more “ups and downs,” in some respects, which is really why it’s better for getting used to the elevation. With “climb high, sleep low” this method gives your body a much better chance to produce extra red blood cells and that prevents altitude sickness! Very handy, trust me on that one!

Day-by-Day Breakdown

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp (About 11 km, 5-7 hours). You start at Machame Gate (that is, after all the park formalities), and almost immediately, you are in a dense, lush rainforest. The path is frequently muddy, arguably a bit slippery, but honestly the sights and sounds more than make up for it. Keep an eye out for cool plants and maybe even a monkey or two! Then you get to Machame Camp, your first night. To be honest, you’ll be a little tired, yet so far, so good!

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp (Around 5 km, 4-6 hours). You’re leaving the rainforest behind, right, and you’re hiking into moorland. So, that means a landscape that has tall grasses and heath. The path gets steeper in a way, that is, and the air is slightly thinner. Shira Camp gives you stunning views. We had an absolutely amazing sunset. Very much something to write home about!

Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (About 10 km, 6-8 hours). Now comes a tricky day. That is, you hike up to the Lava Tower (4,600m), and that will really test how your body is doing with the elevation. Many people get slight headaches here, still, it’s all part of getting used to it. After Lava Tower, that, you descend to Barranco Camp, which is in a valley beneath the Barranco Wall. In fact the camp has to be one of the more scenic ones on the entire route, arguably. Just, very keep that camera handy!

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (Around 5 km, 4-5 hours). The day starts with climbing the Barranco Wall. It seems daunting from below, really. Then it’s a really good scramble, you know, and nothing too hard or anything. Keep your eyes on the guides, of course! That is, after getting over the Wall, the hike to Karanga Camp is shorter, seemingly. The scenery changes too. Really the alpine desert starts to dominate.

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (About 4 km, 4-5 hours). So, this is a pretty short day of hiking, alright? You make your way to Barafu Camp. Now you’re in a rocky landscape. Barafu means “ice” in Swahili, arguably. The camp is very exposed, therefore the views are wonderful, if that is the weather plays nice. You eat a very early supper and then try and get some rest before your summit push.

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp (Around 5 km ascent, 12 km descent, 10-15 hours). You get up around midnight, arguably, and begin your climb to the summit. It’s dark, cold, very cold in fact. You just have your headlamp lighting the path, like your surrounded by nothing! The hike is mostly on volcanic ash. Very draining physically, of course. When you get to Stella Point, the crater rim, seemingly you might see the sun rise (and you really, really hope that’s what happens). One more hour of hiking brings you to Uhuru Peak. The very highest point on Kilimanjaro and actually the continent! You get to enjoy the feeling. Be quick because the altitude gets worse very quickly! Then it’s downhill to Mweka Camp where hopefully you will get a great night of much needed rest!

Training is Pretty Important

Don’t show up thinking you could wing this thing, you know? Being very fit will greatly help you. I started preparing about three months before my trek. Basically, that included lots of cardio (running, cycling, swimming) along with walks that were long and tough and which increased the elevation steadily. I actually practiced walking with a backpack that was weighted, very much. In that way, I was simulating conditions on the mountain. The mountain won’t be easy on you. It would be a wise move to avoid the same.

Choosing the Right Operator

Okay, you need to research tour operators very, very carefully. Pick one that, I believe, has great reviews, employs knowledgeable guides, and has very good equipment. Be absolutely certain they’re committed to ethical treatment of their porters. Look for operators that pay fair wages, so too they will ensure porters don’t carry crazy heavy loads. Check to see they have guides very familiar with altitude sickness. Those guides that actually know how to handle the effects. My team was fantastic. I really do credit them with getting me to the top safely.

What to Pack? The Essentials

Packing, I will argue, makes a very big difference. Layers are very important because temperatures fluctuate big time. Here’s the kit that worked for me:

Moisture-wicking base layers
Insulating mid-layers (fleece or lightweight down jacket)
A waterproof and windproof outer shell
Hiking pants (convertible ones are great)
Good quality hiking boots (break them in!)
Warm socks (wool or synthetic)
Gloves and a warm hat
Sunglasses and sunscreen
A headlamp (for that summit night)
A water bottle or hydration reservoir
Snacks (energy bars, nuts, dried fruit)
Any medications you need

Altitude Sickness is a Big Deal!

I’ll repeat myself: altitude sickness has to be taken seriously! Listen very carefully to your body. Tell your guides straight away if you’re not feeling well. Drink tons of water, avoid drinking too much alcohol before, and take it super slow, too. Consider talking to your doctor with respect to medication which can help (like Acetazolamide), but I would say use it very carefully.

The Mental Game is as Important

Climbing Kilimanjaro isn’t just physical. Honestly the challenge tests you, apparently. There’ll be times, basically, where you’re exhausted, arguably, it’s really cold, maybe you’re questioning exactly why you signed up for this thing in the first place. Having a positive attitude goes a really long way, arguably. Just keep putting one foot ahead of the other and concentrate on the next small goal. So too you need to be patient. Understand your limits.

In Closing: Was It Worth It?

In short? Yes, certainly. Scaling Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route presented, to be honest, more than one challenge. Yet, arriving at Uhuru Peak brought about a sensation, as a matter of fact, that can’t actually be put into words, obviously. From the astonishing landscapes all along the path to, basically, the feeling of accomplishment upon reaching the top, so that is an incident I’ll absolutely treasure forever and a day.

#Kilimanjaro #MachameRoute #Trekking #Africa #AdventureTravel