Mount Kilimanjaro Climb: Machame Route

Trek Mount Kilimanjaro through Machame Route  the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro.

All your equipment and supplies are portered and a cook prepares all your meals.  Machame (also referred to as the "Whiskey route") better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, however rewarding him with a scenic splendour such as not seen on the Marangu route. From late afternoon sunsets at Shira, to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco Wall, the Machame route offers the adventurous hiker a stunning scenic "slide show" over 6 days. The Machame route is normally completed in a minimum of 6 days.

There is an added benefit to this, as you are afforded the most valuable commodity on the mountain - acclimatisation. The Machame route takes you high to Lava Tower (4630m) on the day 3 and brings you down by nearly 700m for an overnight at Barranco camp (3950m). This is the secret to successful acclimatization.

Itinerary

Day 1: Moshi to Machame Camp

Stop At: Machame Camp, Tanzania
Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft The drive from your Moshi Hotel to the Machame Gate . The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Machame Camp

Day 2: Machame camp to Shira 2 camp

Stop At: Shira Camp, Tanzania
Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Shira 2 camp

Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower

Stop At: Lava Tower, Tanzania
Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Barranco Camp

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Stop At: Karanga Camp, Tanzania
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Karanga Camp

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Stop At: Barafu Camp, Tanzania
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
Duration: 10 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Barafu Camp

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Stop At: Uhuru Peak, Mweka Trail, Tanzania
The last day will be a really early beginning for the summit, probably 00:00 am, passing through the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers to the Highest point of Africa Uhuru Peak 5,896m above the sea level. After relaxing, watching the sun rise and taking memorable pictures, start descending to the Mweka Hut and spend overnight there.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Mweka Hut

Day 7: Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate

Stop At: The College of African Wildlife Management Mweka, Tanzania
Mweka Gate to the Hotel After breakfast descend to Mweka Gate and drive away to your local accommodation or Kilimanjaro Airport.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.