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Machame Route Overview

The Machame route, also referred to as the Whiskey route, was one of the most popular routes ad crowded on Kilimanjaro. But now many people have been choosing Lemosho as altenative to avoid crowd which makes the route less populated compare to Lemosho. This is one of our favorite route due to its scenery and success rates. Machame route is one of the highest summit success rates given the topography and nature of the route which allows climbers to “trek high & sleep low” hence making it a more favorable route for acclimatization. This route offers some of the most spectacular scenery while on the mountain.

The Machame route starts in the south west side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Lemosho routes just after the Shira cave camp. The Machame route can be done in minimum 6 days but a 7 day trek is recommended to allow climbers been well rested and acclimatized before making the final ascent to the summit,

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Trekking Ittinerarye

Arrival

Our driver will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport for pick up and transferred to your hotel either Parkview Inn or Weruweru River lodge in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day. Overnight at your arranged Hotel.

  • Hotels: Bed & Breakfast

Day 1:

Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)

Machame Camp

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)

Shira Camp

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 Cave (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)

Barranco Camp

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 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

DAY 4:

Barranco Camp (3960m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)

Barafu Camp

Our day starts by descending into 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, which is our last stop for fresh water before the summit. Scree now forms the terrain as we walk through arid and desolate land towards Barafu camp.

  • Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi
  • Approx. time taken: 8 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

DAY 5:

Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Mweka Camp (3100m)

Uhuru Peak

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 at between 11pm and 12pm 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 Mweka Camp (3100m)

Uhuru Peak

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 Mweka Camp for a long well-earned rest.

  • Distance covered: 16.4km / 9.6mi
  • Approx. time taken: 13hours – 15hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

DAY 7:

Trek Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

Mweka Gate

A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest 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 the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower then celebrate with cold drinks. Overnight at your arranged Hotel

  • Distance covered: 9.1km / 7.5miles
  • Approx. time taken: 3 hours
  • Hotel: Bed &Breakfast

Depart

Moshi

This day left for your next destination. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to Zanzibar or fly back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.

  • Meals: Breakfast Included

Price from $1250:

Includes

  • Private pick up at JRO
  • Pre & Post Trek accommodation
  • Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
  • 18% VAT on tour fees & services
  • 4 Season big sleeping mountain tents
  • Double layered Sleeping Mats
  • Transportation to & from the mountain gate
  • Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
  • 3 meals daily while on the mountain
  • Filtered water throughout the trek
  • Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
  • Hot Water For Wash

Excludes

  • Flights
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Laundry Services
  • Tips to mountain crew
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  • Climbing Kilimanjaro Machame Route Day 2
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  • Trekking-3