7 Days Machame Route
Starting From $2244 per person
Overview
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.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. The path leads hikers through the rain forest to Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro’s routes converge. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
The drive from Moshi to the Machame Gate takes about 50 minutes. 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.
Elevation : 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft
Distance :11 km | 7 miles
Hiking Time : 5-7 hours
Habitat : Rain Forest
DAY 2
Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
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.
Elevation : 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft
Distance : 5 km | 3 miles
Hiking Time : 4-6 hours
Habitat : Heath
DAY 3
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower
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.
Elevation : 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance : 7km/4 miles
Hiking Time : 4-5 hours
Habitat : Alpine Desert
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower
Elevation : 4,630m/15,190ft to 3,975m/13,044 ft
Distance : 3km/1.8 miles
Hiking Time : 2-3 hours
Habitat : Alpine Desert
DAY 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
We’ll begin the day by heading down into a ravine before we tackle the Great Barranco Wall. It’s not a technical climb but it is steep, nearly 900ft of it. From the top, we’ll then continue our trek twisting and turning before descending sharply into Karanga Valley. After another short but fairly steep climb, we’ll reach Karanga Camp. Another short day designed to help with acclimatization.
Elevation : 3,975m/13,044ft to 3,995m/13,106ft
Distance : 5km/3 miles
Hiking Time : 4-5 hours
Habitat : Alpine desert
DAY 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast at the Karanga Camp, we’ll trek towards the route that connects with the Mweka Trail. We’ll then gradually make our way to Barafu Hut. Today, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, and the views of the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks here are awe-inspiring. Once we make camp, we’ll eat, rest, and prepare the bags for summit day.
Elevation : 3,994m/13,106ft to 4,672m/15,331ft
Distance : 4km/2.5 miles
Hiking Time : 4-5 hours
Habitat : Alpine Desert
DAY 6
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
At midnight, we will wake you up for a quick snack and get ready to begin our push to the summit. This is the most physically and mentally challenging part of the trek, a true endurance experience. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in darkness for several hours while taking frequent but short breaks. As we approach Stella Point, you’ll begin to feel the heat of the magnificent sunrise appearing over the Mawenzi Peak—a truly unforgettable moment. We will then continue on until we finally reach Uhuru Peak—the tip of Mount Kilimanjaro and Africa’s highest point! From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and, later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Elevation : 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
Distance : 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Time : 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat : Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation : 5,895m/19,341ft to 3,067m/10,065ft
Distance : 12km/7.5 miles
Hiking Time : 4-6 hrs
Habitat : Rain forest
DAY 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
After breakfast, we will say goodbye to our porters and continue our descent to the Mweka Park Gate to collect our summit certificates. It can be muddy and wet during our walk to lower elevations. You’ll begin to realize how good you feel as the altitude slowly begins to drop. We will be met at the gate by our local team who will drive us back to the hotel. Elevation : 3,067m/10,065ft to 1,639m/5,380ft
Distance : 10km/6 miles
Hiking Time : 3-4 hrs
Habitat : Rain forest
What’s included?
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- Sleeping Mattress
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
What’s not included?
- Tanzania Visa
- International and domestic flights
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
