Overview
7 days climb Kilimanjaro Machame route. The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is the most popular route on Mount 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.
ARRIVAL
Upon arrival to Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met our Tiem Tours and Safaris guide and transferred for overnight at Weruweru River Lodge. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing, gear check and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need. Also you can have an optional of the extra night before the start of climbing the mountain to give you time to acclimatize from the flight.
where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration
DAY 1: MACHAME GATE (1790M) TO MACHAME CAMP (3010M)
One hour’s drive from Moshi lies the gate to the Machame route, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters, and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 2: MACHAME CAMP (3010M) TO SHIRA CAMP (3845M)
Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.
Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 3: SHIRA (3845M) TO BARRANCO CAMP (3960M)
Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach, and finally reach camp The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP (3960M) TO KARANGA CAMP (3963M)
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong, we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 5: KARANGA CAMP (3963M) TO BARAFU CAMP (4640M)
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp, we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up between 11 pm and 12 pm to start the climb to the summit.
Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP (4640M) to UHURU PEAK (5895M) & DOWN TO MILLENIUM CAMP (3790M)
We start off at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 7: TREK MILLENIUM CAMP (3790M) TO MWEKA GATE(1630M)
A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to Weru weru River Lodge, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration. Overnight at the Weru Weru River Lodge (or alternative)
Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included
DAY 8: DEPART
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. You can choose to extend your journey with a beautiful Tanzania Safari to the Northern circuit or Southern Circuit. Another option is to unwind on the tropical Zanzibar Island, also it’s depending on your departure flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
INCLUDED IN THE TREKKING PACKAGE:
- Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
- Professional, English-speaking Wilderness First Responder & CPR certified Guide
- Proper Ration of Mountain crew (Cook & Porters)
- Pre and Post accommodations (2 nights Bed and Breakfast)
- Airport Transfers
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water and Full Board Meals
- All National Park & Hut Fees, Crew Permits, and VAT
- Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages
- Gate Transfers
- Complimentary Oxygen Cylinder
EXCLUDED FROM TREKKING PACKAGE:
- International Flights
- Visa fees
- Travel or Medical Insurance is required and you should ask for a Recommendation
- Gamow Bag
- Medication
- Tips for porters and mountain crew (20% Industry Standard Recommended)
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Energy food & beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
- Additional lodge nights if early descent from the mountain