Trail100โล Mt.Kilimanjaro Trekking | Machame Route l PART1: Machame Gate - Barranco Camp

Kilimanjaro Trekking Routes:
Time Chapter
0:00 - Opening
2:43 - Day0 prep. day at Moshi city
7:47 - D1 Gate to Machame Camp
19:59 - D2 Machame Camp to Shira Camp
46:12 - D3 Shira Camp to Lava Tower
55:38 - D3 Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Machame Route ("Whiskey Route"):
called the "Whiskey Route" due to its challenging yet highly rewarding nature, is one of the most popular and scenic paths up Kilimanjaro. It's known for its excellent acclimatization profile, thanks to its "climb high, sleep low" strategy. While it can be done in 6 days, the 7-day itinerary is highly recommended for better acclimatization and significantly higher summit success rates.

Kilimanjaro: Machame Route (7-Day Itinerary)
Overall Route Profile: The Machame Route starts on the southwest side of the mountain, ascends through varied ecological zones, traverses the mountain, and then approaches the summit from the southeast. The descent is typically via the Mweka Route. The total trekking distance is approximately 62 km (37 miles).

The Machame Route, often called the "Whiskey Route"
due to its challenging yet highly rewarding nature, is one of the most popular and scenic paths up Kilimanjaro. It's known for its excellent acclimatization profile, thanks to its "climb high, sleep low" strategy. While it can be done in 6 days, the 7-day itinerary is highly recommended for better acclimatization and significantly higher summit success rates.

Kilimanjaro: Machame Route (7-Day Itinerary)
Overall Route Profile: The Machame Route starts on the southwest side of the mountain, ascends through varied ecological zones, traverses the mountain, and then approaches the summit from the southeast. The descent is typically via the Mweka Route. The total trekking distance is approximately 62 km (37 miles).

Day 1: Machame Gate (1,800m / 5,905 ft) to Machame Camp (3,000m / 9,840 ft)

Landscape: You begin in a dense, lush rainforest zone. The air is humid, and the forest is teeming with exotic flora and fauna. You might spot black-and-white colobus monkeys and various bird species. The vegetation is incredibly green and vibrant, with moss-covered trees and a feeling of being deep in a jungle.
Weather: Expect warm, humid conditions, possibly with light rain or mist, especially during the wetter seasons. Even in the dry season, the rainforest can be damp.
Terrain: The trail is a well-maintained, but can be muddy and slippery in sections. It's a gradual but consistent uphill climb, often on a wide track that narrows into a winding path.
Campsite: Machame Camp is situated just above the forest line, at the edge of the rainforest. You'll set up tents in clearings. In clear weather, you might get your first glimpses of the summit. The air here is noticeably cooler than at the gate.

Day 2: Machame Camp (3,000m / 9,840 ft) to Shira Camp (3,840m / 12,600 ft)

Landscape: As you leave the rainforest, you transition into the moorland zone. The vegetation changes dramatically, becoming more open with heather, grasses, and unique giant heathers and Erica trees. As you ascend, these give way to vast, open moorlands dotted with the distinctive giant groundsels and lobelias. The views start to open up, offering panoramic vistas.
Weather: Cooler temperatures, often breezy. Clouds can roll in and out, but clear skies can reveal stunning views of Kibo (the main summit of Kilimanjaro) and the Western Breach.
Terrain: The path becomes steeper and rockier in sections, leading you uphill out of the forest and onto the vast Shira Plateau, a massive volcanic spill-off. The walking is challenging but rewarding.
Campsite: Shira Camp (sometimes called Shira Cave or Shira 2 Camp) is located on the Shira Plateau. It's much more exposed than Machame Camp, offering incredible, unobstructed views of the summit massif, particularly Kibo, and sometimes Mount Meru in the distance. The evenings here can be quite cold.

Day 3: Shira Camp (3,840m / 12,600 ft) to Lava Tower (4,630m / 15,190 ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m / 12,960 ft)

Landscape: This is a crucial acclimatization day and demonstrates the "climb high, sleep low" principle. You ascend into the alpine desert zone, a stark and barren landscape characterized by volcanic rock, scree, and very sparse vegetation. The air is thinner and drier. The highlight is the dramatic Lava Tower, a towering volcanic plug.

Terrain: The ascent to Lava Tower is steep and challenging, often over loose scree and rocky paths. After lunch at Lava Tower, you descend sharply into the verdant Barranco Valley. The descent can be tiring on the knees.
Campsite: Barranco Camp is nestled in a beautiful valley directly beneath the impressive Barranco Wall. Despite the high altitude, the valley offers a surprising amount of sheltered greenery. This camp is a popular convergence point for several routes (Lemosho, Machame, Umbwe), so it can be quite busy. The views of the Wall and the glaciers above are spectacular.