Machame Route
The best view
The Machame Route is one of the more scenic routes up the mountain. Known as the “Whiskey Route” – a contrast to the Marangu Route since overnights are in tents
Six (6) days to conquer the summit of the roof of Africa.
8 days machame route
7 Night 8 Days machame route
This is probably the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. All your equipment and supplies are portered and a cook prepares all your meals.
Itinerary
- Day 01
- Day 02
- Day 03
- Day 04
- Day 05
- Day 06
- Day 07
Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Hike to Machame Camp
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
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.
Day 2: Hike Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
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.
Day 3: Hike Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Walking Time: 5-6 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” (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 for overnight. 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.
Day 4: Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Hiking Time: 34 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
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. An overnight at Karanga Camp.
Day 5: Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 4km/2mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
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. An overnight at Barafu Camp.
Day 6: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
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
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. An overnight at Mweka Camp.
Day 7: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: 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, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). You now drive back to Moshi for a long over due hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight in Bristol Cottage.
PLEASE NOTE
- Prices are subject to change depending on the current (at the time of booking) National park fees.
- Price below is for a group of 2 to 6 people, we will give a discount to a group of more than 6 people.
- Single supplement charges are $250
The trekking package includes the following:
- Professional Kilimanjaro Guides & Internationally recognized Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification
- Government taxes
- Emergency evacuation Cover with AMREF
- Adequate and appropriate number of guides, porters, and cooks for your group
- Transfers to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport (2 transfers)
- All park fees, camping fees, rescue fees, and team fees 18% VAT
- Transfers to and from the route gate(s) (2 transfers)
- Sleeping mattress pad(s), dining tent(s), sleeping tent(s), and crew’s equipment
- 2 nights in Moshi on a Bed & Breakfast basis (1 before trekking & 1 after trekking)
- Hotels can be: Bristol Cottage, Sal Salinero Hotel, Millie Lodge near Machame gate & Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel in Moshi
- All guides, porters, and cooks wages
- Food and drinking water
- Portable toilet for the trek
- Complimentary oxygen cylinder
- Credit card charges
The trekking package does not include the following:
- Gamow bag
- Tips for guides, porters, and cooks (recommended 20%)
- Medical insurance
- Tanzanian VISA
- Medication
- Energy food & beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks.
- Personal gear including personal rain gear, trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
- National/International flights
- Additional nights if decent early from the mountain.