Route Description
- DURATION : 7 Days, 6 Nights
- DIFFICULTY : Medium
- TRAFFIC : High
- SCENERY : Excellent
Route Overview
Machame Route is the second most popular and indeed one of the most beautiful routes up the mountain is the Machame Route. Also known as the Whisky Route, this trail is both longer and slightly more challenging than the Marangu Route. Where accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame route offers strictly tents only.
The route is better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker; however, it rewards him with a scenic splendor such is not seen on the Marangu route. Provided with its challenge, about 80% of hikers make it to the summit of Africa.
Trek Itinerary
DAY 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journeys pass 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 rainforest 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 for a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
- Elevation: 1830m to 3000m, 6000ft to 10,200ft
- Distance: 11km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Vegetation: Montane Forest
DAY 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
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: 3000m to 3840m, 10,200ft to 12,600ft
- Distance: 5km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Vegetation: Moorland
DAY 3: 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 Southeast 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 4876m / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860m / 12,664 ft. 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: 3800m to 4630m to 3986m, 15,000ft to 13,700ft
- Distance: 11 km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Vegetation: Semi-desert
DAY 4: 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.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Hiking Time: 34 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
DAY 5: 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.
- Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 4km/2mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
DAY 6: Barafu Camp to Summit 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.
- 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: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
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 the hotel in Moshi.
- Elevation: 3100m to 1830m, 10,200ft to 6000ft
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Vegetation: Forest
Trek Inquiries & Costing
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Costing Terms
Cost Includes
- All Entrance fees and Government taxes
- Airport Transfers (upon Arrival and Departure)
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Fair wages for the mountain crew.
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Salaries for Porters, Cook, and Guides
- Oxygen Tanks, Pulse Oximeter, and First Aid Kit
- Rescue fees, entrance and Government Taxes;
- Transfers from Hotel to Kilimanjaro entrance gate and from Kilimanjaro exit gate to the hotel.
Cost Does not Include
- International and local airfare.
- Yellow fever vaccinations
- Passport, Visa, and Travelers Insurance
- Personal expenses eg. Laundry, beverages, etc
- Personal expenses eg. Laundry, beverages, etc
- Tips for the support team
- Private Toilet and hot shower tent
- Bed, Sleeping Bag, and walking Poles.
- Local transportation before and after the climb.