Trek Through The Most Scenic Route
Machame, known as the “Whiskey” route, is now the most popular route on 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. The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although seven days is recommended. Climbers sleep in supplied tents at designated campsites and eat meals either outdoors or inside a large dining tent. The staff prepares all meals and sets up tents. The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. 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.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Machame Gate To Machame Camp
Pick you up from your hotel in Moshi / Arusha and drive for 1 hour to Machame gate (10,000ft) for registration, and meet the rest of the crew (Cooks and Porters) ready for the climb. We will start the climb through the rainforest and the giant heathers for 6 hrs to our first overnight camp.
Accommodation
Budget camping
Meal Plan
Meals: L, D
Day 2: Machame Camp To Shira Camp
Short day but rather steep rocky and dusty trails. 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 the heat. You will cross many ridges and see the first of many species.
Accommodation
Budget camping
Meal Plan
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Shira Camp To Barranco Camp
Start with climbing over boulders and very few rocks, then steady uphill climb to Lava tower and 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 altitude change). From Lava Tower, we will go down for about 2 hrs through dusty and rocky trails to the Barranco Camp at 13000ft.
Hours trekking: 4-7 to Lava Barranco Camp
Accommodation
Budget camping
Meal Plan
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Barranco Camp To Karanga Camp
After spending a night at the great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the Karanga camp.
Accommodation
Budget camping
Meal Plan
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp
Breakfast at Karanga camp and after breakfast turn left up the ridge and the route ascends 640m towards Barafu Camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge.
Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1214m higher and you will commence with your final ascent attempt, the same night. Prepare your equipment, hiking poles and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed as early as possible and try to get some precious rest and sleep.
Accommodation
Budget camping
Meal Plan
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Barafu Camp To Uhuru Camp, Then Descend
Barafu camp (4681m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3090m)
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Mweka Camp
Distance: Approximately 4.5 km ascent and 10.8 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will get up around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers, the 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5739m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).
From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to get going again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life! The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3090m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared.
Accommodation
Budget camping
Meal Plan
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 4 to 6 hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. Some hikers do experience knee problems which could make the descend longer than planned.
It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. Visit the tips page for more info. At the Mweka Gate, you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.
From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village, you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! you drive back to your hotel in Moshi /Arusha for a long overdue hot shower.
Accommodation
End of Tour
Meal Plan
Meals: B
Inclusions
- Oxygen Tanks
- Meals on the hike
- Porterage
- A professional guide
- All Transfers
- Hotels before & after the hike
- Camping equipments
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Exclusions
- Tips to the climbing crew
- Personal Gear Rentals
- International flights (from/to home)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Items of a personal nature
- Single suppliment
- Portable Toilet
- Visa Fee
