The Whiskey Kilimanjaro Route
8-Day The Whiskey Kilimanjaro Route Machame Route
$2200-2475 USD
pp
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Safari summary
The Machame route, also known as the "Whiskey" route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep, and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore, this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking, or backpacking experience.
About this tour
| Tour type | Custom, tailor-made, private | |
| Main focus | None | |
| Activity level | Strenuous activity | |
| Best months | All months | |
| Countries | ||
| Parks |
Fine details
Safari highlights
- Hiking | trekking
What’s included?
- Accommodation
- Airport transfers
- Meals
- Park fees
- Private vehicle and driver
What’s not included?
- Alcoholic beverages
- Hot air balloons
- Internal flights
- International flights
- Laundry
- Premium alcoholic beverages
- Spa treatments
- Tips and gratuities
- Visas
Itinerary
Airport Pick up
Kilimanjaro
On this day, you will be picked up from the airport either the Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport. You will then drive to Summit Safari lodge. Once you arrive and settle in, your guide will arrive briefly. Afterward, he'll brief you on the hike, what to expect day by day as well as check if you have all the necessary gear for the hike.
Tulia Boutique Hotel and Spa
Machame Gate (1800m) – Machame Camp
Kilimanjaro
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up and driven to Machame Village. From the village, depending on the road conditions, you will continue to drive from the village to the Machame gate. After registering at the gate office, you'll start your ascent and enter the rainforest. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very muddy and slippery experience. You will have lunch stop and will reach the camping area in the late afternoon.
Budget Camping
Machame Camp(2835m) to Shira Camp
Kilimanjaro
You'll arrive at Machame Camp. After breakfast, you'll climb an hour to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After lunch and rest, you'll continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. You are now due west of Kibo. After a short hike, you will reach the Shira campsite at 3840m. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
Budget Campsite
Shira (3750), to Lava Tower(4630),
Kilimanjaro
The route now turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower. This is the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. After lunch, you'll descend again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear.
Budget Camping
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Kilimanjaro
After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall, you'll make your way up this awesome-looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you'll appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys and then joins up with the Mweka route.
Budget campsite
Karanga Camp (3995m) – Barafu Hut (
Kilimanjaro
Following breakfast, you will leave Karanga Camp. The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu hut, this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so hikers need to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark.
Budget Campsite
Summit Attempt
Kilimanjaro
After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you'll make your way up this awesome-looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you'll appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro 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.
Budget Campsite
Mweka Camp(3100m) to Mweka Gate
Kilimanjaro
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The national park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak.
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