Mt. Kilimanjaro has 3 volcanic cones and is the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 meters above sea level.This Machame route is the most beautiful route up Mt. Kilimanjaro and offers strictly tented accommodation and is best suited for the adventurous hikers. This route begins at the Machame gate located on the southern base of the mountain and the approach to the summit is made from the east. Machame route is also known as the whisky route because of its tough climb and you also hike steeper trails. We recommend the 7 days climb for better altitude acclimatization. The Machame Route is approximately 62 km/37 miles from gate to gate.
First Day of Trekking
Picked up from the Hotel at around 8.00A.M After Breakfast and you will be driven to the gate of Machame where the trek begins. This day you will be walking in the dense tropical forest for 4 to 5 hours up to the first camp called Machame Hut, an elevation of 3000m above sea level.
- This initial stage of the climb is tranquil and relatively easy. There is no point in rushing to get to the camp, as there is little to do there. Guides tend to recommend a slow ascent, even at this point, for gradual acclimatization.
- Do not try to keep up with your porters, who will usually bound ahead. Instead, take time to admire the beauty of the rainforest. If you are interested in botany, you should carry a small reference book, as guides are not especially knowledgeable about this aspect of the climb.
- Overnight at Machame Camp (10,000 ft).
Second Day of Trekking
This and subsequent mornings, wake-up call is at around 6.00A.M. You will be greeted with a steaming cup of tea or coffee, and weather permitting, by a fabulous view of Uhuru peak. This day’s trek takes you up a steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, volcanic rock, and bearded heather. You will encounter giant groundsels as you hike through a ghostly landscape of volcanic lava, caves, and foamy streams.
- The hike to the next campsite which is the Shira Camp takes approximately 6 hours. You should arrive between 2:00PM and 3:00 PM.
- You shall have Lunch below the Shira Plateau at approximately Noon, about 3 to 4 hours from Machame Camp.
- At approximately 2.00P.M this time you should be arriving at Shira Camp.
- Most climbers tend to pace themselves, walking slowly and resting about every half-hour. Many will feel lethargic and have headaches by the time they reach the camp. Guides advise those with symptoms of altitude sickness to drink tea and sleep a lot – and there is no better advice to follow at this stage.Overnight at Shira Camp (12,500 ft).
Third Day of Trekking
The entire Shira Plateau greets you this morning with sweeping vistas across to Meru and the Shira Needles.
- This day’s trek lasts for about 6 hours.
- A steady walk takes you up to the pass at Lava Tower (15,000 ft), where you stop to have lunch.
- Crossing the Bastains stream, you will begin to descend towards Barranco Camp. The descent takes you along an immense canyon called grand Barranco.
- At approximately 5.00P.M time you should be arriving at Barranco Camp.
- Along the way, you will see numerous waterfalls, which are fed, by streams coming from the mountain, converging here to form the Umbwe River your camp is set at almost the same altitude as the night before.
- Overnight at Barranco Camp (13,000 ft).
Fourth Day of Trekking
This morning you begin your hike to Karanga Camp, which is on the same altitude as Barranco camp.
- You will encounter a bit of a climb at Barranco cliff and spend the rest of the trek climbing up and downthe slopes of the mountain most of the way to the camp. The climb is not considered difficult. In the afternoon you have the opportunity to hike in the Karanga Valley where giant senecios and lobelia grow; however, you are well advice to rest as much as you possibly can to prepare you for the climb ahead.
- Overnight at Karanga Camp (13,000 ft).
- At approximately 1.00 P.M this time you should be stopping for lunch after trekking for about four hours.
- In the afternoon you have the opportunity to hike in the Karanga Valley where giant senecios and lobelia grow; however, you are well advised to rest as much as you possibly can to prepare you for the climb ahead. Overnight at Karanga Camp (13,000 ft).
Fifth Day of Trekking
The scenic climb to Barafu is mostly on a moraine with a view of Mawenzi peak towering majestically to the right, and overhead, Kibo peak seemingly just out of reach. The alpine desert terrain encountered at this point is mostly a mineral environment with few lichens and mosses.
- Lunch will be taken along the way and climbers arrive at Barafu Camp at around 2:30PM.
- At approximately this time you arrive at Barafu Camp.
- Climbers who choose to ascend the peak will go to bed very early this night, as the next day will have the longest trek in climbing.Overnight at Barafu Camp (15,200 ft).
Sixth Day of Trekking; Ascent to Summit (19430 ft.)/ Descent
On this day, you will wake up as early as midnight and have a light breakfast, while getting ready for the climb.
- Start climbing at around 1.00A.M. It is at this stage that the climb becomes much more difficult. Here,mostly you will be experiencing altitude sickness and climbers should carry as little as possible on this portion of the climb.
- Temperatures will range from -4 to 5 Fahrenheit. Making your way up a path that is flanked by the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers.
- You will climb for about six hours before reaching the edge of the crater, between stella and Hans Meyer points.
- Another hour of climbing brings you to the summit. Uhuru stands at 19,340 feet and is the highest point on the continent of Africa.
- The track around the edge of the crater is rocky and icy. Concentrate on your feet, and follow your guide very closely for this portion of the journey.
- At approximately 11.00A.M this time, you should be arriving at the Kibo Hut after about 3hours of Descent which is no easier than ascent.
- Climbers will be given the opportunity to rest and have some refreshments before continuing on to Mweka Camp for the night.
- At approximately 5.00 PM, you should be arriving into camp, you will have trekked a total of thirteen hours on this day.
- Overnight at Mweka camp (10,200 ft).
Seventh and last Day of Trekking Descent
On the final day of the journey, climbers descend from Mweka camp to the base.
- The descent to the gate will take approximately 5 hours and climbers usually arrive before noon. Upon arrival at the gate you climbers will be rewarded with certificates attesting their success at climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
- After finishing your climb you will be transferred to your hotel in Arusha.
Items included:
Professional, experienced, mountain guides
All Park fees
Rescue fees
All meals while on the Mountain
Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
Clean, purified drinking water
Crisis management and safety procedures
Items not included:
Tanzania Visa
Accommodation in Arusha
Gratuity
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)