Route Overview
Machame, known as the “Whiskey” route, is a popular route to the mountain. Compared with Marangu, the days on Machame are longer and the walks are steeper. It is considered a difficult route, better suited for more adventurous folks, and those with some hiking or backpacking experience. Machame approaches from the southwest and descends using Mweka, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. The path leads hikers through the rain forest to Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro’s routes converge. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
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Route Itinerary
Day 1: Airport pick-up- Drop off at Hotel
Meet and greet our transfer driver guide whereby who will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and driven to your Hotel in Arusha/Moshi. Participants will be given a short briefing for the climb on the same day. Kits and the necessary equipment will be checked as well.
Meals: Half Board
Day 2: Arusha- Machame Hut Camp (2850m)
After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel and drive for 1 hour to Machame gate (10,000 ft) for registration. Here you will meet the rest of the crew (Cooks and Porters) and we shall all prepare for the climb. We will start the climb through the rain forest and the giant heathers for 6 hrs. until we reach our first overnight camp.
Meals: Full Board
Day 3: Machame Camp- Shira Cave (3750m)
On this, it will be a short day but rather a steep rocky, and dusty trail. It’s a slow hike with plenty of breaks and enough time to acclimatize. Most of the route is rather bare of vegetation providing little shade from heat. You will cross many ridges and see the first of many Senecios.
Meals: Full board
Day 4: Shira Camp-Barranco Camp (3900m)
After Breakfast We will start climbing over boulders and very few rocks, then make our way to a steady uphill climb to Lava Tower and there we stop for lunch around noon. For those interested, we may climb up the Lava tower, which is 14850ft (you may start to get a mild headache due to the altitude change). From Lava Tower, we will go down for about 2 hrs through dusty and rocky trails to the Barranco Camp at 13000ft.
Meals: Full Board
Day 5: Baranko- Karanga (3995m)-Barafu Camp{4667m}
After Breakfast, we will start scrambling up the Barranco wall for an hour and a half. As this is steep, you will be using your hands to reach and steady yourself like rock climbing, although not as challenging. At the top of the wall, you can see the Barranco Valley and the campsite you spent at the night before. You will walk up and down the greener valley, which is the last water point of the mountain.
Meals: Full Board
DAY 6: SUMMIT ATTEMPT, BARAFU CAMP (4667M) – UHURU PEAK (5895M) – MWEKA (3100M)
On this day it will be a summit day We will start the climb at around midnight. We will start with very steep rocks for 1 hour, and enter a snow-covered area where you can see glaciers above. If it’s a moonlit night, you may turn off your headlamp and continue a moonlit guided walk; indeed, a wonderful experience. The next 2 hours are headed towards Stella Point and we will take a break every 15 minutes as the climb gets more mentally and physically challenging.
Afterward, we will make our way to Stella Point where the Lava fields are like loose sand. It’s a rather enjoyable and frustrating experience because you will take a step up and slide back gainin’
g0 distance and if you’re not careful, you will slide back 2 steps and gain negative 2 steps.
After breakfast, we will climb to Uhuru Peak for 1 hr just as the sun appears over the Mawenzi peaks. We will be at Uhuru Peak (19370ft) around 6-7 am. We will start our descent, which is steep and rigorous via Stella Point to Barafu Hut Camp.
Meals: Full Board
DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP (3100M) – MWEKA GATE (1980M)
Today’s hike will take us about 4 to 5 hours to make the 4,500 feet descent to the park gate. We will check out and receive the Kilimanjaro climbing certificate at the park gate office, then eat our lunch and say goodbye to our mountain staff. After lunch, we will drive through very beautiful coffee plantations and small villages of the Chaga people back to Arusha. There you will be dropped off and is the perfect time for you to take a nice swim, a hot shower, and a well-deserved celebration!
Meals: Half Board
Price Will Include
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodations as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Camping Equipment
- Porterage
Price Will not Include
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcohol drinks
- Rescue Fee
- Climbing Gear
- Sleeping Bag
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