Route Planning - Information on the Machame Route
Machame 1st Leg > More in this Category > Mountain Routes > Marangu: First Leg > Marangu: Second Leg > Machame Route: Second Leg > Umbwe Route> Shira: First Leg > Shira: Second Leg > Lemosho Route > Rongai: First Leg > Rongai: Second Leg > Ridge Route
Route Planning of your climb can be tough due to the many options available. The Machame/Mweka or Whisky Route is probably the second most well- known route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Like a good whisky, the spectacular scenery along the trail is meant to be appreciated from start to finish, and thus the route takes at least 6 days to complete.
As is the case with the Marangu Route, the Machame Route also begins in the Kilimanjaro National Park, although this time walkers will set off from the Machame gate at an altitude of 1750 meters. The hike from the gate to the Machame Camp takes approximately 5 to 7 hours and is generally seen as light and pleasant journey, incorporating a large section of the dense rainforest on the lower portion of the mountain. The Machame Camp itself is situated at the edge of the rainforest at an altitude of approximately 3000m above sea level.
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The second leg of the journey sees the gradient of the pathway becoming gradually steeper and the landscape changing from lush green forest to moorland. The most challenging part of this section of the journey is the climb up the rocky ledge en route to the Shira plateau. Although sheer, the actual climb is relatively simple and guides will ensure that it is completed at an incredibly slow pace so as to aid with the acclimatisation process. Upon completing the scramble, hikers will head north to the Shira plateau where they will reach the second camp known as Shira Camp.
On the morning of the third day, climbers will set off for Barranco Camp in the Great Barranco Valley, just below the Western Breach. This section of the journey involves travelling upwards towards Kibo itself. During the first half of the day, hikers will ascend past the distinctive Lava Tower to an altitude of just over 4500 meters. Following this, the rest of the day's journey will be spent descending into the Great Barranco Valley, situated at an altitude of approximately 3950 meters, a mere 100 meters higher than Shira Camp. Due to the extreme changes in altitude on this leg of the journey, it is understandably called the acclimatisation day and may leave some climbers feeling slightly shattered to say the least.
The Kilimanjaro Experience
