Machame route climb

7 days—Kilimanjaro hike via Machame route (with an extra acclimatization day)

$2250-2300 USD

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Safari summary

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa

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 challenging but unlike the usually 6days hike,c this 7days hike provides one extra day for acclimatization. Therefore increasing your summit chances.

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	Hiking \| trekking
	Activity level	Strenuous activity
	Best months	All months
	Countries	Tanzania
	Parks	Kilimanjaro

Fine details

Safari highlights

Hiking | trekking

What’s included?

Accommodation
Airport transfers
All drinks
Meals
Park fees
Private vehicle and driver

What’s not included?

Hot air balloons
Internal flights
Laundry
Premium alcoholic beverages
Spa treatments
Tips and gratuities
Visas

Itinerary

Machame Gate (1490m) – Machame Camp

Kilimanjaro

You will be picked up early from Arusha (1400m) and driven to the Machame Village. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. You will have a welcome lunch stop about halfway and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner before you retire to your tent for the night.

Camping

Machame camp (2980m) – Shira camp.

Kilimanjaro

You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast, you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike, you will reach the Shira campsite at 3 840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner.

Camping

Shira (at 3840m) to Barranco

Kilimanjaro

The route now turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky to Lava Tower (4630m). It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness and headaches. After lunch, you descent again to the Barranco and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m.

Camping

Barranco Camp (3950m) –Karanga Camp

Kilimanjaro

Hiking time: 4-5 hours Distance: Approximately 5 kilometers Habitat: Alpine desert After early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. This is an ideal hiking day for acclimatization.

Camping

Karanga Camp– 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. The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night.

Camping

Barafu camp-Uhuru summit

Kilimanjaro

Around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. Ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers, this 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest.

Camping

Mweka camp – 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. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers).

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