The Machame has one of the best success rates on Mount Kilimanjaro, the Machame route is undoubtedly the busiest on the mountain. Over 7 days, you have a fantastic journey and a great chance of summiting successfully.
The climb begins at Machame Gate, at an altitude of 1800 metres, with an approach to the southwest of the mountain. It passes through the majestic rainforest on the first day, before continuing up the mountain to reach Shira Camp, where the Lemosho route joins from the west. From here you traverse the southern side of the mountain to Barranco via Lava Tower and climb the Great Barranco Wall on your way to Barafu Camp. After reaching the summit, you will descend by the Mweka trail to leave through the Mweka gate.
The Machame route is nicknamed the ‘Whiskey Route’ as it is considered more difficult than the ‘Coca-Cola Route’, the nickname for the Marangu route. In reality, it is just slightly more technically difficult but is longer and in places steeper. The longer distance and walking high, sleep low offer much better acclimatisation and as a result a very high success rate.
The Machame route is a good 7-day hike for those who have not trekked much at high altitudes, with an effective extra day’s acclimatisation, giving a better success rate. Experienced and already acclimatised mountaineers may opt for the more difficult 6-day ascent along the Machame route.
Leave a reply