Most first-time climbers end up choosing between these two. They share a summit approach and a lot of scenery, and the difference is smaller than the internet suggests, but it is real.
Machame
Six or seven days, starting on the southern side. It is often called the Whiskey Route, mostly because it sounds good next to Marangu‘s Coca-Cola. Steeper in places, a shorter drive to the gate, and the busiest trail on the mountain.
The seven-day version works well. The six-day version is where people run into trouble: it removes exactly the acclimatisation day that makes the difference on summit night.
Lemosho
Seven, eight or nine days, starting in the west. A long drive to the trailhead and a quieter first two days through forest where you may see colobus monkeys, sometimes buffalo tracks. It joins the Machame trail partway through, so the second half is shared.
The extra days are the point. Lemosho over eight days gives you more time above 3,000 metres before you attempt the summit, and that is the single biggest thing you can buy.
The comparison
- Scenery: Lemosho is better early on, then they are the same.
- Crowds: Lemosho is quieter for the first two days and identical after that.
- Difficulty: Machame has steeper days. Lemosho has more of them.
- Acclimatisation: Lemosho over eight days wins, clearly.
- Cost: Lemosho costs more, because more days in the park means more park fees.
What both share
Both climb high to the Lava Tower and come back down to sleep, which feels pointless at the time and is the most useful thing you do all week. Both approach the summit from Barafu. Both finish down Mweka.
Our answer
Lemosho over eight days, for most first-time climbers. If your days are tight, Machame over seven. If your days are so tight that only a six-day climb fits, we would rather talk you into a different month than sell you a climb you are likely to lose.
