7 DAYS MACHAME ROUTE

Descriptions.

The Machame route, known as the “Whiskey” route, is now the most popular route on the mountain. 

Machame approaches from the southwest and descends using Mweka, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco Wall, and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Icefield. The descent occurs on the Mweka route.

Climbers sleep in supplied tents at designated campsites, and eat meals either outdoors or inside a large dining tent. Staff prepares all meals and sets up the tents.

Many people list Kilimanjaro as a lifelong dream adventure. This itinerary allows you the time to see all of Kilimanjaro’s main areas and with a 7 day ascent it also allows you a great chance of successfully making it to the roof of Africa! If you are looking for a great adventure that does not compromise safety or ethics then climb with us. 

 Day 1:

Machame Gate (1,634 m/5,363 ft) to Machame Hut (2,834 m/9,300 ft)

Hike time: 7.5 hrs
Elevation change: +1,200 m/+3,937 ft
Estimated distance: 10km/6.21 miles
Final elevation: ,3100 m/10,170 ft

Pick-up from the hotel is around 8.00am. The drive to the Machame route gate takes about 1 hour. At the Machame route gate, We have some paperwork to do before you start. Heading into the jungle, a 4-wheel drive track climbs gently for about 1 hour. Here you enter a thicker forest, often with cloud swirling through the trees and monkeys calling from the canopy above. The trail is well maintained. 2 hours from the end of the 4-wheel drive track you arrive at a clearing that we use for lunch stops.

Heading on after lunch the trail gets slightly steeper and as you climb and the trees begin to thin you can see that you’re climbing a narrow ridge between 2 shallow valleys. After 2 hours of climbing you reach the end of the forest; from here you enter the heather and moorland zone and after 15 minutes you reach Machame Camp, your first night’s stop on the Machame route. Camp will have been set up for you by the porters and when you arrive you’ll get hot drinks, popcorn and warm water for washing followed by dinner. The evening views of Kibo from Machame Camp are breath-taking.

Day 2:

Machame Hut (2,834 m/9,300 ft) to Shira Hut (3,749 m/12,300 ft)

Hike time: 7 hrs
Elevation change: +800 m/+3,000 ft

Estimated distance: 6km/3.75 miles
Final elevation: 3,800 m/12,467 ft

From Machame camp you hike to Shira Camp. The first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly. A picnic lunch was taken on trail today. The zone you pass through today is known as the heath zone where attractive Helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys. 

Day 3:

Shira Hut (3,749 m/12,300 ft) to Barranco Hut (3,950 m/12,800 ft)

Hike time: 5 hrs
Elevation change: +100 m/+328 ft
Estimated distance: ?
Final elevation: 3,900 m/12,800 ft

The morning climb is somewhat steep on this day as you climb to Lava Tower at 4,600 meters at midday before descending again on the scenic route to Barranco Camp. This is a great example of the climb high/sleep low rule that helps people acclimatize safely. 

Day 4:

Barranco Hut (3,950 m/12,800 ft) to Karanga Valley (3,963 m/13,000 ft)

Hike time: 3.5 hrs
Elevation change: +100 m/+328 ft
Estimated distance: 4km/2.5 miles
Final elevation: 3,963 m/13,000 ft

You climb the Great Barranco Wall, which looks more intimidating than it really is, and down into the Karanga Valley. This day has many ups and downs and crosses many small streams before crossing the Karanga River just before camp.

Day 5:

Karanga Valley (3,963 m/13,000 ft) to Barafu Hut (4,600 m/15,091 ft)

Hike time: 3.5 hrs
Elevation change: +600 m/+1,968 ft
Estimated distance: 4km/2.5 miles
Final elevation: 4,600 m/15,091 ft

After breakfast, 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

Day 6: Summit Attempt.

Barafu camp (4600m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)

Hiking time: 6 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 

Distance: Approximately 7 kilometer ascent.

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest and you will ascend over stone scree. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In about 5 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5685m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 1 hour on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). 

Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 2 hours.

At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Mweka Hut (3100m). The Mweka Trail will lead you through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.

Day 7.

Mweka Hut (3,100 m/10,170 ft) to Mweka Gate (1,828 m/6,000 ft)

Descent time: 4 hrs
Elevation change: -1,250 m/-4,101 ft
Estimated distance: 10km/6.21
Final elevation: 1,828 m/6,000 ft

 Your final descent is through the mountain’s lower heath section and rainforest before you find yourself at the exit gate, you will be rewarded a certificate and a fair good ceremony before driving back to the hotel in Arusha or Moshi.

The package price per person will be 1550 USD.

The Price includes.

• All transport to and from the National park gate
• Services of professional guides, chefs, and porters
• All National park reserve entry fees 
• Full board while you are on the Mountain
• Trail snacks 
• Water and Juice on the Mountain 
• Guides, chefs and porters salaries
• All mountain equipments
• Emergency Oxygen cylinder
• All government taxes
• Ambulance cover

The Price does not include.

• All items of a personal nature 
• Personal climbing gears
• Gratuities for guides and porters
• Hotel/ Lodges