The Machame route, also known as the "Whiskey" route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep, and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore, this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking, or backpacking experience.
Tour Features
Budget camping
This is a budget camping tour.
Shared tour
On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 6 people per group.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can be customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Suitable for single travelers
Single travelers can join this group tour.
Minimum age of 15 years
The minimum age for this tour is 15 years.
Activities & Transportation
Getting around: minivan & hiking/walking
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where a Kilimanjaro 360 representative will greet you and arrange your transfer to the hotel included in your package. The hotel offers everything needed for a pleasant stay: comfortable rooms, hot water, courteous staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening, a briefing with our managers will ensure you’re fully prepared for the climb.
Private tour packages include group-shared airport transfers, with additional fees for individual transfers. Please coordinate your group’s arrival and departure times to avoid extra costs.
Day 2
Arusha – Machame Gate (1800m) to Machame Camp(2835m)
Machame Gate (1800m) – Machame Camp (2835m)
Hiking time: 5-7 hours.
Distance: Approximately 11 kilometers.
Habitat: Afro Montane Forest.
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Arusha and driven to Machame Village. In the village, you can buy mineral water and will receive a packed lunch. From the village, depending on the road conditions, you will continue to drive from the village to the Machame gate, but if not, the muddy 3 km walk will take about 1 hour to complete. After registering at the gate office, you'll start your ascent and enter the rainforest almost immediately. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy, and slippery experience. You will have a welcome lunch stop about halfway and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon.
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Main Destination: Mt Kilimanjaro
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Accommodation: Budget Camping​
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Meals & Drinks:All meals included​
Day 3
Machame Camp(2835m) to Shira Camp(3750m)
Machame Camp (2835m) – Shira Camp (3750m)
Hiking time: 6h.
Distance: Approximately 5 km.
Habitat: Afromontane forest/Heath.
You'll arrive early at Machame Camp. After breakfast, you'll climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you'll continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now, you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo. After a short hike, you will reach the Shira campsite at 3 840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.​
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Main Destination: Mt Kilimanjaro
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Accommodation: Budget Camping​
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Meals & Drinks:All meals included
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Day 4
Shira (3750), to Lava Tower(4630), to Barranco Camp (At 3900m)
Hiking time: 6-8h.
Distance: Approximately 10km.
Habitat: Alpine desert.
The route now turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower. This is the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. After lunch, you'll descend again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area. After reaching the Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco Camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall.
After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you'll make your way up this awesome-looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you'll appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys and then joins up with the Mweka route.
The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp "ice camp" and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge.
Following breakfast, you will leave Karanga Camp (3995m). The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu hut (4673m). The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so hikers need to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night.
Day 7
(Summit Attempt) Barafu Hut(4673m)- Uhuru Peak(5895m)- Mweka (3100m)
Hiking time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent.
Distance: Approximately 18 km.
Habitat: Arctic.
After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you'll make your way up this awesome-looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you'll appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit.
The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp "ice camp" and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. The summit is now a further 1345m up. You will make the final ascent the same night.
Day 8
Mweka Camp(3100m) to Mweka Gate(1640m)
Hiking time: 3-4h.
Distance: Approximately 10 km.
Habitat: Forest.
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The national park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving the certificates, you will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). You will be served a hot lunch. Then, you will drive back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
1. What makes the Lemosho Route ideal for climbing Kilimanjaro?
The Lemosho Route is considered one of the most scenic and less crowded routes on Kilimanjaro. It provides a gradual ascent, allowing for better acclimatization, and has a high summit success rate. The route offers diverse landscapes, including lush rainforests, open moorlands, and dramatic views of the Shira Plateau.
2. How difficult is the 8-day climb via the Lemosho Route?
The 8-day Lemosho climb is moderately challenging but manageable with proper preparation. The extra day is designed for acclimatization, reducing the risk of altitude sickness. While no technical climbing is involved, trekkers should expect long days of walking, steep ascents, and changing weather conditions.
3. What kind of accommodations are available during the climb?
Accommodation on the Lemosho Route consists of camping in tents at designated campsites. Professional porters set up the tents and carry most of the gear, leaving you to focus on the trek. Meals are prepared fresh and served in a communal dining tent.
4. What is included in the 8-day Lemosho Route package?
The package typically includes:
Park entry and camping fees.
Round-trip airport transfers.
Experienced guides, cooks, and porters.
Three meals per day on the mountain.
Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats).
Emergency medical supplies (including oxygen).
It usually excludes personal gear, tips, and international flights.
5. What is the best time of year to climb Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route?
The best times are during the dry seasons:
January to mid-March: Cooler weather with clear skies.
June to October: Warmer, drier conditions and excellent visibility.
Avoid the rainy seasons (April-May and November), as trails can become slippery, and views may be obscured by clouds.
