Machame Route
TOUR OVERVIEW
The Machame Route, often called the “Whiskey Route” is one of the most popular and scenic paths to Mount Kilimanjaro’s Summit. It offers a challenging yet rewarding trek, passing through diverse landscapes from rainforest to alpine desert before reaching Uhuru Peak. Our itinerary has showcased everything concerning this thrilling adventure.
PRICE START FROM
Tour Accomodation
Green Mountain Hotel
Tour Destinations
Machame Gate,Machame Camp,Shira Camp, Barranco Camp, Barafu Camp,, Uhuru Peak,Mweka Camp and Mweka Gate
Full Itinerary
Where to Stay
Green Mountain hotel
JRO - Arusha-Green Mountain Hotel
Meet and Greet at Kilimanjaro International airport and transferred to Green Mountain hotel for Bed and Breakfast- Karibu
Where to Stay
Machame Camp
Machame Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft) Elevation Gain: 1,200 m,3,935ft
At 8am, leave Moshi for Machame Gate, where you will meet our porters, guides, and cooks that will spend the next seven days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. Once you arrive, wait at the gate while we register your climb and the porters and guides make final preparations.
Your first day’s destination is Machame Camp. Each day, porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival. On the first day, hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. The forest will thin at the end of the hike and vegetation will change to include heathers, tall grasses and wildflowers. If the weather is clear, view the surrounding area and your ultimate destination, Kibo Peak.
Where to Stay
Shira Camp
Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft) to Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft) Elevation Gain: 840 m,2,760 ft
Although considered to be the easiest day on the Machame Route, today’s trek includes several uphill sections. Carry plenty of drinking water, as the exposed hike can be hot on a clear day. There are several viewpoints from which you can see the plains and forests below and Kibo and Mawenzi peaks above.
As you gain altitude, notice the change in vegetation. The trees diminish in size, giving way to Kilimanjaro’s famous high altitude plants, Scenic kilimanjari and Lobelia deckenii. After eating lunch, climb the Shira Plateau, created when Kibo’s lava flows filled the Shira crater. Continue to Shira Camp, where you will relax for the rest of the day. Kibo lies to the west and Mount Meru to the east.
Where to Stay
Barranco Camp
Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) Total Elevation Gain:690 m,2,264 ft
Although this up and down day ends with an elevation gain of only 110 meters, by early afternoon you will have climbed 690 meters to a height of 4,530 meters before beginning your descent to Barranco Camp. This day is crucial for acclimatization.After breakfast, hike east on the Shira Plateau before reaching the junction for the Shira and Lemosho Routes. Continue on through the barren landscape before stopping for lunch.
Shortly after lunch, reach the highest point of the day before descending quickly to Barranco Camp. Faster hikers can take a detour via Lava Tower, a 300-foot lava formation jutting out of the mountainside., Barranco Camp, set among stands of Senecio kilimanjari, is considered to be the most scenic campsite on the Machame Route.
Where to Stay
Barafu Camp
Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) Elevation Gain: 600 m, 2,140 ft
Leave Barranco Camp after an early breakfast to begin the long hike to Barafu Camp. The day begins with an hour and a half scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you will have to use your hands to pull your body up. After reaching the top, you will make a short descent into the greener Karanga Valley before continuing on to Barafu Camp. On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail.
During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. Although the way to Barafu is bleak, alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, and Rebmann Glacier. Try to sleep as soon as you finish dinner as you will be waking up at midnight for your summit hike.
Where to Stay
Mweka Camp
Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) Elevation Gain: 1,295 meters, 4,240 feet Elevation Loss: 2,795 m,9,170 ft
Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. For the next six hours, hike by the light of your headlamp. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point. The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult.
The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers.
At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.
Where to Stay
Mweka Gate
Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft) Elevation Loss: 1,600 m, 5,250 ft
After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery. Our vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Arusha. You will be able to buy t-shirts and sodas at the gate.
Where to Stay
No Accommodation
Arusha –Kilimanjaro Airport
After breakfast pick up from your hotel then transfer to Airport for your flight out.
Price inclusion
- Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport;
- Transfer to the hotel
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits
- Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
- Transfer to the hotel — Green Mountain in Arusha.
- Accommodation prior to the climb (including breakfast; sharing a twin room)
- Transfer to the trail head
- Professional mountain crew. All guides have “Wilderness First Responder” and “Wilderness First Aid” certificates, along with over 7 years of experience in climbing. Each participant will be provided with adequate number of porters (who can carry up to 15 kg of personal baggage).
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits
- Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
- Camping/hut fees
- 3 square meals daily. The menu includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian options are available upon request;
- Modern Mountain Hardware tents.
- Oxygen systems and pulse ox meters;
- First aid kit
- Warm and comfortable sleeping pads (2 inches thick)
- Group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery)
- Meeting the group at the National Park exit and transfer to the hotel
- Accommodation after the climb (including breakfast; sharing a twin room);
- International certificates for a successful ascent;
- Return transfer to Kilimanjaro airport.
Price Exclusion
- Travel and personal accident insurance.
- Visa, passport, vaccinations, medicines.
- Personal Mountain equipment.
- Expenditure on alcoholic drinks, souvenirs and other personal items.
- Optional excursions not detailed in the itinerary.
- Additional optional accommodation added at the base hotel or extra days on the mountain added.
- Treated drinking water other than boiled.
Book this Tour
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