Machame route is a seven day camping route which gives you more time to acclimatize. It was known as the “Whiskey Route” in the past due to its tougher challenge. It is the second most popular route, but scenically, a beautiful trail and is considered more difficult, steeper and more challenging than Marangu route. Why not consider the Machame route If you have an extra few days to spare. It offers you one or two additional days for acclimatization, which can make a huge difference in the success rate to reaching the summit, despite the fact that it is a challenging trek.
The itinerary below describes the 6 nights, 7 days from Machame Gate to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, and then back again.
The route offers a wide variety of views, scenery and an unforgettable experience. You will pass through several and recognizable landmarks including the famous Lava Tower and Shira Plateau. The route also boasts several paths to its highest point and back down again. In seven days you will be able to climb Mount Kilimanjaro from the Equator to an Arctic zone! Unlike Marangu route, camping is permitted on the Machame route which means trekkers are able to sleep in tents all the way up to the peak. The route starts at Machame Gate and leads you to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. You will walk through an exciting savannah footpath, through a tropical rainforest, alpine fields, highlands and high desert to snow and ice.
We have a friendly, dedicated team on-hand with a vast knowledge and first-hand experience on Tours & Safaris. The team is available before, during and after your trip if required.
You will arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (or any), where you will meet our professional and English speaking tour guide, who will welcome you to Tanzania, and make sure that you are ready for the lifetime experience of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. A brief presentation about your trip as whole and then transfer to Kilemakyaro Hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Early start, after breakfast the trekking team will meet you at your hotel, and a quick presentation about the trek ahead. We will drive to Machame village. You will carry out the registration to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA). You will meet your team of local porters who will take charge of carrying all equipment needed for your trekking adventure to Mount Kilimanjaro (food, drinking water, clothes, and mobile stove gas etc.). The porters will also be responsible for preparing and cooking your food all the way up to the summit and back down again.
You will start the first leg of trekking up into the rainforest. About halfway up the trail, you will have a lunch break, and then you will reach the Machame Camp which is 2980 meters above sea level in late afternoon or early evening. Please note, the porters and cook(s), will reach the camp before you to prepare and setup the tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for you when you reach camp. You will have a wash, dinner and overnight stay at Machame Camp.
After breakfast, we will continue climbing up through the rainforest and enter the beautiful moorland vegetation of Kilimanjaro slopes. We will cross streams, through rocky ridges and onto the Shira plateau that leads to Shira Camp which is 3840 meters above sea level. On arrival we will have some snacks then dinner prepared by our team. You should be prepared for a very cold night as temperatures drops below freezing at this exposed camp.
After breakfast, we will leave Shira Plateau and enter the semi-desert and rocky landscape of Kilimanjaro land. It will take almost 5 hours in total to reach the Kibo peak. We will continue trekking up, it will be tough and you will feel exhausted but you will be able to rest along the way. As you hike up you will be able to view the Lava Tower also known as the “Shark’s Tooth” that stands 4630 meters above sea level. At this point, you will start to feel the lower oxygen level and will spend about two hours here in order to adapt to the altitude. We will stop for lunch, and then descend from Lava Tower (4630m) to the Barranco Campsite (3950m). You will pass through Barranco Valley and see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in its massive size and steepness. You will arrive at Barranco Camp, have some rest, dinner and an overnight stay.
After breakfast, we will continue to acclimatize. We will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up, and it is time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall, which stands at 3950 meters above sea level. At the top of the Wall you will have a great view of Heim Glacier above the clouds. We will continue hiking towards the Karanga Valley. We will arrive at Karanga camp, have lunch and prepare for a cold evening and overnight stay.
After breakfast, we will continue to acclimatize our bodies to adjust to the higher altitudes in order to prepare for the final two days climb up to the summit. We will leave Karanga Camp that stands at 3959 meters above sea level. The trail interconnects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. We continue hiking up for about 1 hour, and reach the Barafu Hut. Barafu Camp stands about 4550 meters above sea level. The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky and exposed edge. Our tents will be exposed to wind and rock so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark.
You will see amazing views of the summit. You will also be able to look downhill and be able to see Moshi town. We will have lunch and have some rest here; it will be cold and could also be windy. We will prepare for an early night so the entire team can get plenty of rest and be ready to continue the challenge later that night!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today, you will feel the altitude and you may expect to see some snow and feel winds too. You will be woken at around 23:00 for refreshments, particularly a hot drink, then start the hike to the top of the roof of Africa. On average it will take almost 6 hours, depending on the pace of the group. We aim to reach Stella Point on the crater rim for a sunrise view; Stella Point stands at about 5745m above sea level. This is the most challenging part of the hike mentally and physically too! Stella Point is the highest point on the continent, and is located on the crater rim. There is a great success rate for climbers reaching the summit.
You will be able to stop at Stella Point for some rest, and appreciate and enjoy viewing the glorious sunrise in the distance from the summit. We will begin ascending for about 40 minutes on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak that stands about 5895m above sea level. It will be a long and tough day, you will feel exhausted but thrilled in the end after reaching the summit, an enriching experience and a lifetime accomplishment! You will then descend the same path you came up to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may need trekking poles to help on the descent down. We will arrive at Mweka Camp, and enjoy our final evening on the mountain.
It is our last day on the Mountain, after breakfast it is time also to thank the entire team behind your trek. We will start walking back down to lower elevations through the forest, the path could be quite wet and muddy, so hiking poles and gaiters could come in handy. We will pass through the lush garden to Mweka Gate for lunch, and then continue trekking down. Once you arrive at Mweka gate, you will sign out and your guide team will organize the official certificate for your great achievement, and you will be rewarded with the summit certificate.
Our driver will meet you at the base, and then transfer you back to Enyati Lodge in Moshi where you have undoubtedly earned a good hot shower, a few drinks, refreshments and more to celebrate your achievement, and have a good rest in a comfortable room.
After breakfast, this will depend on your flight schedule to return to your home country or a trip to Zanzibar, or the driver will drive you back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure, or transfer you to the agreed departure location, and this brings to an end of your trekking adventure in Kilimanjaro.
If you decide to extend your stay in Tanzania, you could visit the beautiful sandy beaches and the tropical water of Zanzibar. If you are interested in other tour packages please see these on our website.
£0,000 per person
£0,000 for two people based on sharing
£0,000 for three people based on sharing
£0,000 for four people based on sharing
£0,000 for five people based on sharing
£0,000 for six people based on sharing
Rates including VAT
If you don’t have any of the above-mentioned gear, please contact us for arrangements. Rental Fees are applicable.
We are Tanzibar Tours & Safari Operator Company with an office in Scotland/UK and on Zanzibar Island/Tanzania.
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