Trek Overview

  • 6 Days
  • 5 Nights

The Machame route, also referred to as the Whiskey route, is one of the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro and a favorite for us. Machame route is one of the highest summit success rates given the topography and nature of the route which allows climbers to “trek high & sleep low” hence making it a more favorable route for acclimatization. This route offers some of the most spectacular scenery while on the mountain. The Machame route starts in the south west side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Lemosho routes just after the Shira cave camp.

The Machame route can be done in minimum 6 days but a 7 day trek is recommended to allow climbers been well rested and acclimatized before making the final ascent to the summit.

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Routine

Trekking Itinerary

Arrive in Tanzania.

Arrive in Tanzania at Kilimanjaro International. Picked up and transferred to the hotel in Moshi town, where the trek begins in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. The hotel is a short walk from the town’s bustling market and some excellent coffee shops and restaurants. Meet with an experienced Kilimanjaro guide at the hotel for a briefing and equipment inspection to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. After the briefing meeting, you will get a chance to explore the town of Moshi. It is possible to rent/hire all the missing gear in Moshi.

Day 1

Machame Gate (1630m/5,380 ft) to Machame Camp (2833/9,350 ft)

Distance: 11 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

Starting in the morning after breakfast, drive to Machame gate from the hotel in Moshi. The drive takes about 1 hour. The drive passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Do all registration at Machame gate, then  Leave the park gate after registration; walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp (2,833m/9,350ft). for dinner and overnight.

Day 2

Machame Camp (2833m/9,350ft) to Shira Cave Camp (3788m/12,500 ft)

Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Heath

After breakfast leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, the trail passes through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira Cave Camp for lunch then after some rest, there will be a chance to do a short acclimatization walk before dinner and overnight.

Day 3

Shira Cave Camp (3788m/12,500 ft) to Lava Tower (4605m/15,190 ft)

Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower (15,190 ft/4,785m) to Barranco Camp (13,044 ft/4,182m)

Distance: 4 km/2.4 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower camp (15,190ft/4,785m), a 300ft tall volcanic rock formation. After lunch, we descended to Barranco Camp (3953m/13,000ft) through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Beginning and end of the day at the same elevation is not a problem. The time spent at higher altitude (Lava Tower) is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Day 4

Barranco Camp (13,044 ft/3,953) to Barafu Camp (4,646m/15,331 ft)

Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert

The day starts by descending to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then, from the base, started to climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, the trail crosses hills and valleys until it descends sharply into Karanga Valley (Karanga River), the last water point. Then started climbing up to Karanga Camp, arriving there for lunch. After lunch the route continues up to the rocky section until Barafu Camp.
At this point, the Southern Circuit is completed, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Arrive at the camp, rest, followed by an early dinner, and prepare for the summit. When the weather gets clear, the view of the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen.

Day 5

Barafu Camp (15,331 ft/4,646m) to Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft/5,895m)

Distance: 6 km/3.7 miles
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours.
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft/5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,065 ft)

Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours.
Habitat: Rain Forest

Starting at midnight begins the push to the summit, the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The journey will be spent in the wind and cold weather. Ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking some short breaks. Arrive at Stella Point (18,900 ft/5,730m) at sunrise. Then it continued for about an hour from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak, Africa’s highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Spend a short time on the summit taking photographs before starting the descent back to Barafu Camp, which takes about 3 hours. Arrive at Barafu Camp, take a short rest (1-2 hours), then continue descending to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 6

Mweka Camp (10,065 ft/3,100m) to Mweka Gate (5,380 ft/1,630m)

Distance: 10 km/6.2 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours.
Habitat: Rain Forest

On the final day, after breakfast and celebrations at the camp, then continue the three-hour descent to Mweka Gate, arrive at the gate and sign out to the national park authority and collect the summit certificates. A vehicle will be waiting at Mweka Gate and will be transferred back to the hotel in Moshi.

Depart Tanzania

Day On this day, depending on flight details, go and explore Moshi town by visiting some souvenir shops before heading to the airport for the flight back home. Additional Safaris, Zanzibar, and other extension tours can be booked. Contact us to continue with more tours after the Kilimanjaro Trek.

Price Includes:

  • All Entrance fees and Government taxes
  • Airport Transfers (we pick up you on arrival day, and we take you back after the climb)
  • Transfers from Hotel to Kilimanjaro entrance gate and from Kilimanjaro exit gate to the hotel
  • Quality Sleeping tents shared by 2 clients
  • Mess tents, Crew tents, Table, Chairs, eating utensils, cooking equipment.
  • Clean, purified drinking water
  • All meals while on the Mountain
  • Rescue Fees and all taxes.
  • Salaries for Porters, Cook, and Guides
  • Oxygen Tanks, Pulse Oximeter, and First Aid Kit

Price Does not Include:

  • International and local airfare.
  • Local transportation before and after the climb.
  • Yellow fever vaccinations
  • Passport, Visa, and Travelers Insurance
  • Personal expenses example: Laundry, beverages, etc.
  • Tips for the support team
  • Private Toilet and hot shower tent
  • Bed, Sleeping Bag, and walking Poles.

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