6 days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame route
From
Duration
Tour Type
Overview
Highlights
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Climb the summit of Kilimanjaro via the scenic Machame route.
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Witness stunning views of the peaks of Kibo and Kilimanjaro.
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Traverse a diverse landscape of dense forest and moorland.
Description
Also known as the Whiskey route, the Machame route is one of the most popular routes to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Alongside offering an excellent summit success rate, it also provides ample time for acclimatization. Come, join us on this 6-day adventure to get to the summit of Kilimanjaro via this amazing route.
Beginning in the southwest of Kilimanjaro, the route takes us through Shira plateau and eventually joins the Shira and Lemosho routes just after crossing the Shira cave camp, offering breathtaking scenery on the way.
Starting at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, we’ll transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. From there, a drive of about an hour will take us to Machame Gate, the starting part of the trek.
The initial trail leads through a dense rainforest, which finally gives way to moorland. The next few days will be spent crossing Machame Camp and Shira Camp until we reach the Barranco Camp.
The route from Barranco to Barafu requires us to climb the steep Great Barranco Wall, a true adventure indeed! Heading on scree slopes, we’ll finally reach the campsite to prepare for the final summit hike the following day.
Starting early, ascending on snow and ice, we’ll walk past the spectacular Stella Point to reach the Uhuru peak-the roof of Africa. The top offers exceptional views of the neighboring peaks.
After relishing our time here, we’ll descend to Mweka Camp and finally to Mweka Gate, ending this incredible trip.
Included/Exclude
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents:
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- All Park fees, Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Accommodation in Arusha
- Airport transfers
- Tips
- Flights
- Visa fee
- Mountains gear
Tour Plan
• Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
• Distance: 11 km
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest
The drive from Moshi or Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate
takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame
which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up
a ridge. Lower down, 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.
• Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an
ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge,
covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river
gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
• Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Semi Desert
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.” Shortly after the tower,
we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an
altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of
13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at
the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for
acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
• Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
• Distance: 9km
• Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the
Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit
the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu
Hut. At this point, 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. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen
from this position
• Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
• Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
• Habitat: Arctic
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), 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 (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with
the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to
the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount
Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the
summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the
Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and
trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the
upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the
evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well earned sleep.
• Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest
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).
From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet
you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi or Arusha
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