The Length of Machame Route in Miles
Machame Route Mileage: An Overview
The Machame Route is one of the most popular routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. Known for its scenic beauty and high success rates, the Machame Route offers climbers a challenging yet rewarding experience. One of the common questions that climbers have is regarding the total distance covered on the Machame Route in miles.
Calculating the Total Distance: Machame Route
The Machame Route, also known as the "Whiskey Route," is a more challenging route compared to the Marangu Route. It is known for its steep and rugged terrain, which provides climbers with a more immersive experience of the mountain. The total distance covered on the Machame Route is approximately 37 miles round trip.
The Machame Route begins at Machame Gate, located at an altitude of approximately 5,380 feet above sea level. The first day of the climb involves a steep hike through the lush rainforest, which eventually gives way to moorland as you ascend higher. The total distance covered on the first day is around 6.3 miles, ending at Machame Camp, situated at an altitude of 9,850 feet.
On the second day, climbers continue their ascent through the moorland, crossing the Shira Plateau before reaching Shira Camp at an elevation of 12,500 feet. The total distance covered on the second day is approximately 3.1 miles.
The third day is a relatively shorter day in terms of distance, covering around 2.5 miles from Shira Camp to Barranco Camp. This portion of the climb involves a steep ascent up the Barranco Wall, which provides climbers with stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
On the fourth day, climbers trek from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp, covering a distance of approximately 2.2 miles. This portion of the climb involves traversing through alpine desert terrain, with the towering peak of Kilimanjaro always in sight.
The fifth day of the climb involves a short trek from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp, covering a distance of around 2.2 miles. This portion of the climb brings climbers to the base camp, where they will rest before their final push to the summit.
The final day of the climb is the summit day, where climbers will cover approximately 3.1 miles from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro. After reaching the summit, climbers will descend back to Mweka Camp, covering around 10.5 miles on the descent.
In conclusion, the Machame Route covers a total distance of approximately 37 miles round trip. It is a challenging yet rewarding route that offers climbers a unique and unforgettable experience on Mount Kilimanjaro. For those interested in embarking on this adventure, Sunset Africa Safari offers guided tours along the Machame Route. For booking inquiries, please contact info@sunsetafricasafari.com.
