7 Days
Trekking via Machame Route
Trekking Overview
This tour also referred to as the whiskey route, is rightly regarded as the most beautiful on Kilimanjaro.
Trip Type
Trekking
Activities
Climbing, Hiking, Trekking
Group Size
No size limit
Area To Visit
Mt. Kilimanjaro
Trip Outline
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
You will be driven from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, passing through the village of Machame, located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave park gate behind, our walk starts through the rain forest on a winding trail up the ridge. At some sections the trail can be muddy and slippery, so the gaiters and trekking poles are a good to bring. At the end of our today’s trek lies Machame Camp, where we stay for the night.
Distance: 11 km Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Rain Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast and a briefing from your guide, drive from Moshi or Arusha to Londorossi Park Gate (2250m, 1.5 hours). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2000m, 11Km. 45minutes) and a possible campsite. Walk along beautiful forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite, (2750m, 3hours).
Distance: 11 km Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Rain Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Today’s route turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower. Lunch will be served in a designated area before ascending the rocky path to Lava Tower. After lunch you descent again to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, you will feel actual benefit of acclimatization. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall.
Distance: 10 km Hiking Time: 6-8 hours Habitat: Semi-Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu camp
A steep climb up the eastern wall leads us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo, the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, finally we have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp.
Distance: 5 km Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and cross the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail, used for descend from the mountain later. From here we continue up to the Barafu Camp. Here we will rest, have dinner and prepare for the summit day. From Barafu you can enjoy the view of two volcanic cones Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, and that view is quite spectacular and you should not miss it.
Distance: 4 km Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. The last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. At the rim we will reach Stella point, from where we have further hour to Uhuru Peak. After a short stop for taking photos we descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on past Millenium camp down to Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the forest edge. Those with the strength left from the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the ice pinnacles of the Eastern Icefields. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent Habitat: Arctic
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi/Arusha
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Distance: 10 km Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Rain Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Trip Includes
- Accommodation before and after the climb
- Qualified guides with mountain crew
- National park fees
- Hut/camping fees and tents
- Tents foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and (Cutlery / Crockery) eating utensils.
- Rescue fees (required by the National Park)
- Pulse oximeters
- First aid kit
- Guides, porters, cook, waiter salaries
- Boiled water on the mountain
- Airport transfers (JRO – Kilimanjaro International Airports)
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation and entry fees on the mountain
Trip Excludes
- Gear for your climb, Some equipment is available for rent!
- Items of personal nature (expenses)
- Guides, Porters, Cook & Waiters tips
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Mountain equipment (eg sleeping bags)
- Emergency Oxygen
- Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included
- Extra activities (waterfall tour, cultural village visit).
- Visa fees & travel insurance.
- Flight tickets.
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