Known as the “Whiskey” route, the Machame route is now the most popular route on the mountain. Compared with Marangu, the days on Machame are longer and the walks are steeper.

Mount Kilimanjaro is the crown of Tanzania. Rising abruptly from the open plains, capped by snow and frequently fringed by clouds, it is one of Africa’s classic images. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is completely an experience of a lifetime it takes 5 to 8 Days trek to summit the roof of Africa. Mount Kilimanjaro  at height of  5,895 metres or 19,341 feet above sea level is the highest mountain in Africa and also is the highest free-standing mountain in the world with its three volcanic cones, Kibo – the summit.
The other two cones are Mawenzi and Shira.
Kilimanjaro is not part of a mountain range, such as the Himalayas – in the world, at 5,895 meters above sea level. It’s thought that what is now the Shira plateau was actually a caldera that had collapsed in on itself – and subsequent erosion of the side walls has made it flat. Mawenzi and Kibo on the other hand, are pretty young in comparison. They started their volcanic grumblings around a million years ago. At the top of Kibo is a large crater, formed after the volcano erupted, like Shira, it also collapsed in on itself and is now a flat area, containing glaciers (fast retreating).
The summit Uhuru Peak is on the crater rim. One interesting point is that both Mawenzi and Shira are extinct but Kibo is dormant. This can be seen clearly if you hike to the Ash Pit – a two hour round trip across the crater floor. From here you can smell the sulfurous gases being emitted deep inside the earth’s crust. And a sobering reminder that this is, actually, a volcano!

Routes

• Londorossi Gate (for Lemosho and Northern Circuit routes) is at 7740 f (2360 m). Most Lemosho trips start even higher at the Lemosho glades at 11 500 f (3500 m), providing nearly immediate beginning of your acclimatization transition.
• Machame Gate (for Machame route treks) lies at 5720 f (1740 m) in beautiful virgin tropical forest.
• Marangu route adventures start at Marangu Gate, which sits at 8860 f (2700 m). This route is the most popular on Kilimanjaro, and can sometimes be busy with many climbers.
• Nalemuru (Rongai) Gate the starting point for Rongai route Kilimanjaro climbs, is on the remote northern side of the mountain. Its elevation is 6400 ft or 1950 m above sea level.
• Umbwe Gate the trailhead of the most taxing Kilimanjaro route, is at 5250 ft or 1600 m above sea level.

As you may see, trekking parties start at a significant altitude above sea level, so a Kilimanjaro climb actually doesn’t mean trekking exactly 19,340 ft to summit. However, when climbers reach the summit of Uhuru peak, they will be standing at the altitude of 19,340 feet – which is high enough to see the curvature of the earth – pretty cool!