Climb Kilimanjaro via Machame Route 6 Days
TOUR OVERVIEW
The Machame route 7 days is a camping trip on Kilimanjaro, which allows for excellent acclimatization and a particularly varied landscape. The 7 days Machame route is known as the Whiskey Route, as alcohol is prohibited on Kilimanjaro, we recommend the Machame Route ‘Without the Whiskey’! Our most economical option, this is a popular route that can be busy due to easy access to Moshi.
The Machame route 7 days offers a variety of views, landscapes and experiences. We recommend 6 over 7 days as the extra day makes a big difference to your success rate, improves acclimatization and allows for two easier days before the long summit climb.
- Max Altitude: 5895m
- Transport: To & From the mountain
- Meals: Full board
ROUTE MAP
DAY BY DAY TOUR
If you have chosen the optional airport transfer, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport and transfer you to Panama hotel in Moshi or similar hotel. Pre-trek briefing at the Moshi hotel. You should plan to arrive at least one day before the tour starts. We will spend today with a pre-excursion briefing. We review your equipment and rent the necessary equipment.
It takes about 45 minutes from Moshi town to Machame Gate. The journey passes through the village of Machame on the lower slopes of the mountain. We leave the park gate and walk up a ridge on a winding path through the rainforest. At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Leg protectors and walking sticks are a good idea here. We continue for a short distance until we reach the Machame camp.
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
- Distance: 11km/7mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, we leave the clearings of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, across a steep rocky ridge through the valley. The route now turns west to a river gorge until we reach the Shira campsite
- Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Walking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
From the Shira Plateau, we continue east along a ridge, passing through the junction towards the summit of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast towards Lava Tower, known as “Shark’s Tooth” (4,650 m/15,250 ft). Shortly after the tower, we reach the second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. Now we continue down the Barranco camp. Although you end the day at the same altitude as you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and helps your body prepare for the summit.
- Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Walking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast we leave Barranco and continue a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (4,250m/13,900ft) through the Karanga Valley (4,050m/13,250ft) to the junction with the Mweka Trail. We continue to the Barafu camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. We camp here with a view of the distant peak.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 9km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Very early in the morning (midnight to 6 am) we continue our journey to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. If we start in a northwesterly direction and climb towards Stella Point on the rim of the crater through a strong rock. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the tour. You will stop at Stella Point for a short rest and be rewarded with the most amazing sunrise you are likely to ever see. Faster hikers can watch the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you can encounter snow all the way up during the 1-hour climb to the summit. Uhuru summited Mount Kilimanjaro and the highest point on the continent of Africa!
From the summit we start our descent by going straight to Mweka camp and stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want to use shin guards and hiking poles for the loose gravel. We arrive at Mweka camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
- 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
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast we continue our descent to Mweka Park Gate to claim the summit. At lower altitudes it can be wet and muddy. Leg protectors and trekking poles help. Shorts and a t-shirt will probably be plenty (keep rain gear and warmer clothes handy).
Our vehicle will be waiting for you at the Mweka gate to take you back to your hotel in Moshi (approx. 60 minutes).
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- Sleeping Mattress
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
Exclusions
- Tanzania Visa
- International and domestic flights
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
