Renowned for its stunning scenery, the Machame Route also boasts the highest summit success rate. This route follows the principle of “climb high, sleep low,” allowing your body to gradually adjust to the changing altitudes over several days. Climbs typically take six or seven days; the difference lies in the six-day option, which skips the Karanga campsite, leading to a longer walk to base camp while passing Karanga.

The trek starts at Machame Gate, situated at 1,800 meters, on the southwestern side of the mountain. On the first day, you pass through a beautiful rainforest, continuing up to Shira Camp where the Lemosho route joins from the west. From here, you traverse the mountain’s southern side to Barranco, passing Lava Tower, and ascend the Great Barranco Wall toward Barafu Camp. After reaching the summit, you descend via the Mweka trail, avoiding the return route taken on the ascent.

The Machame route is often called the ‘Whiskey Route’ because it’s regarded as more challenging than the ‘Coca Cola Route,’ which refers to the Marangu route. Although not technically more difficult, the Machame route is longer and steeper in parts. Its extended distance and the ability to acclimatize effectively through “walking high, sleeping low” contribute to a significantly higher success rate.