Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro
Machame 7 Days Route
Overview
Machame Route is one of the most popular routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Dubbed the "Whiskey" route, it is steeper and longer than the Marangu (Coca-Cola) Route, but offers greater acclimatization. Over the course of seven days, climbers traverse through lush rainforests, moorlands, and alpine deserts, experiencing some of the most spectacular views along the way. This route allows for a longer ascent, which aids in acclimatization, and offers an excellent chance of reaching Uhuru Peak at 5895m.
Map Route
Itinerary
Day 0
Arrive in Tanzania
- You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha 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. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
Day 1
Arusha to Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- Elevation: 1830m to 3050m / 6004ft to 10.007ft
- Distance: 10.8km / 6.7mi
- Hiking Time: 6 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
Two hour's drive from Arusha to Machame gate, 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.
After an early morning breakfast, you will drive from Arusha to the Machame Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park, passing through the village of Machame. Once there, you'll begin your climb through the rainforest, with towering trees and tangled undergrowth, and possibly a bit of rain and mud. You'll reach Machame Camp by late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Machame Camp.
Day 2
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
- Elevation: 3050m to 3850m / 10.007ft to 12.631ft
- Distance: 5.4km / 3.4mi
- Hiking Time: 5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
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.
Day 3
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Elevation: 3850m to 4600m to 3900m / 12.631ft to 15.092ft to 12.795ft
- Distance: 10.8km / 6.7mi
- Hiking Time: 8 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse east towards Lava Tower, a 300-foot tall volcanic rock formation, passing through the "Shark's Tooth" rock formation before descending into the Barranco Valley. The day has been spent at altitude, but we have followed the mountaineering code of 'walk high, sleep low' to aid your body's acclimatization to altitude. You'll spend the night at Barranco Camp.
Day 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
- Elevation: 3900m to 3950m / 12.795ft to 12.959ft
- Distance: 5km / 3.1mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, you'll begin your climb of the Barranco Wall, a steep 257-meter rock face, which will require some scrambling. Once at the top, you'll enjoy a short rest before continuing to Karanga Camp, which is located in the alpine desert. This is a shorter hiking day designed to aid acclimatization.
Day 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- Elevation: 3950m to 4670m / 12.959ft to 15.322ft
- Distance: 4km / 2.5mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today's trek takes you up through increasingly barren landscapes, with views of Kibo Peak towering above. You'll reach Barafu Camp, the staging point for your summit attempt, in the early afternoon. After a hearty meal, you'll rest in preparation for the final push to the summit.
Day 6
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
- Elevation: 4670m to 5895m to 3100m / 15.322ft to 19.341ft to 10.171ft
- Distance: 17km / 10.6mi
- Hiking Time: 10-12 hours
- Habitat: Arctic
Around midnight, you'll begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. The climb is long and grueling, passing between glaciers and volcanic rock formations. At the summit, you'll have a few moments to enjoy the view before descending back down to Mweka Camp.
Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Arusha
- Elevation: 3100m to 1830m / 10.171ft to 6004ft
- Distance: 10km / 6.2mi
- Hiking Time: 4-3 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
After breakfast, you'll make your way back through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you'll collect your summit certificate. From there, you will be transferred back to Arusha for some much-needed rest and relaxation.
Day 8
Kilimanjaro International Airport
After a good night rest and breakfast at the hotel, our transfer vehicle will be ready to pick you up and take you to Kilimanjaro International Airport to connect with your flight back home. But if you wish to extend your program and proceed with safari kindly let us know so that we can arrange it in advance.
Ready for Your Adventure?
What you get
Included
- Your hotel stay - 1 night before and after the climb.
- Airport transfers.
- All necessary permits and fees for climbing Kilimanjaro.
- Rescue Fees for any potential rescue operations during the climb.
- Fresh meals and drinking water throughout the climb.
- Professional Mountain Guide.
- Porters to carry your gear and supplies.
- Comfortable two-room mountain tents for accommodation.
- Foam sleeping mattresses for each climber.
- Transportation to and from the mountain.
Excluded
- Sleeping bags and climbing gear (clothing, shoes, walking poles, headlamp, gloves, and other climbing essentials).
- Tips for the guides, driver and crew.
- Personal Expenses such as beverages, laundry, and other personal costs.
- Telephone, Faxes, Telexes, data or other communication services.
- Travel Insurance (you must be insured specifically for treks above 4500m)
- Flights to and from Tanzania.
- Visas or any other travel documentation.
- Snacks on the mountain.
- Your personal medicine.
Gallery
