Kilimanjaro Trekking via Machame Route
7 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking via Machame Route
Overview
The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking or backpacking experience. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. The path leads hikers through the rain forest to Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro’s routes converge. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
What’s Included
Full board accommodation on the mountain
Services of Experienced Professional Tour guide
Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, chairs, tables)
All specified accommodation
All oxygen cylinder - only for emergency
Mountain crew (cook and porters)
first aid kit and pulse oximeter
VAT (18% charged by the Government)
All taxes, All entrances fees, and service fees included
What’s Excluded
International & Domestic Flights
Medical Insurance if needed
Gratuities for Mountain crew (please tip separately)
Visa fee (US $50 / US $100 for American or Irish Passport holders)
Sleeping bags
Drinks and beverages in the Camps
Expenses of a personal Nature
Meals not specified
Laundry service
Detailed Itinerary of the Trip
Arrival: Kilimanjaro International Airport - Welcome to Tanzania - The Trip of Your Lifetime!
Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), there will be a pick up private transfer waiting to Stella Maris Hotel or similar hotel in Moshi. All airport transfers are the part of the package, no extra fee is required. We will gather in the evening for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check.
Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Hike to Machame Camp
Drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included (FB)
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
- Distance: 11km/7mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
Day 2: Hike Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included (FB)
- Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Walking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
Day 3: Hike Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included (FB)
- Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- class="fas fa-check-circle dominant" aria-hidden="true"> Walking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
Day 4: Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included (FB)
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Hiking Time: 34 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 5: Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included (FB)
- Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 4km/2mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 6: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included (FB)
- Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3090m/10,150ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Day 7: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).
- Meal Plan: Breakfast included (BB)
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
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We were on an 11-day tour of the Northern and Central/Urban part of Zanzibar with a group of 16. We could not have been happier. We were split into two groups each with a guide, Ali and Mohammed. But we were often together giving us two guides. They were wonderful, so knowledgeable, helpful and caring. They could not do enough for us. They were so open and honest about their lives we gained insights into Zanzibar we could never have had without them. They were also hilariously funny. We loved all our stops but would have liked to have spent another night in Kendwa. We would highly recommend the trip.
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Trip type: Traveled Solo
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Date of experience: June 2019
Trip type: Traveled solo
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Date of experience: July 2019
Trip type: Traveled with friends
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