7 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route

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Duration

7 Days

Destination

Mt. Kilimanjaro

Pick-Up

Kilimanjaro Int. Airport

Price From

$ 2,130/ Person

Tour Overview

The Machame route is also known as the Whiskey route, given its reputation for being a tough climb, in contrast to the easier Marangu route, which is known as the Coca Cola route. Unlike the gradual incline and hut accomodations found on the Marangu Route, the climbers on Machame hike steeper trails, for longer distances, while sleeping in tents.The Machame Route climb can be done in a minimum of six days on the mountain. However, it is most often tackled over seven days, for a better altitude acclimatization schedule. The trek begins at Machame Gate, located in the southern base of mountain, within its lush, fertile rain forest. The route heads toward the Shira Plateau, before circling along the southern circuit halfway around the mountain, exposing the climber to great views from all angles. The approach to the summit is made from the east, and the descent follows the Mweka trail.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 2: Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)

One hour’s drive from Moshi to Machame gate, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.

Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 3: Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)

Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.

Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 4: Shira Cave (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)

Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.

Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 5: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)

Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.

Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 6: Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.

Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 7: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m)

We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 8: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome hot shower.

Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 9: Depart Tanzania

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.

*Safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.

Meals: Breakfast Included

Tour Includes

  • Airport pick up and drop off
  • 2 Nights’ accommodation in Moshi or Arusha 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 seasons private mountain sleeping tents
  • Sleeping Mattress
  • All meals while on the mountain
  • Quality mess tents with tables and chairs/Mountain Huts
  • Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
  • Clean purified drinking water
  • Kilimanjaro National Park Entrance fees
  • All Government taxes and levies including 18% VAT.

Tour Excludes

  • International or Local Flights
  • Hiking Gears
  • Optional Activities
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Visa fees
  • Tips
  • Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
  • Travel Insurance

ACCOMMODATION TYPE

Camping

Camping on Mount Kilimanjaro offers adventurers a unique immersion into the awe-inspiring landscape of Africa’s tallest mountain. As trekkers ascend through diverse ecosystems, from lush rainforests to alpine deserts, camping sites become sanctuaries amidst the rugged terrain. Beneath star-studded skies, tents are pitched on designated platforms, providing respite and a sense of camaraderie among fellow climbers.

Each evening, as the sun dips below the horizon, campfires flicker, illuminating tales of the day’s journey and anticipation for the challenges ahead. With each night spent under the vast canopy of Kilimanjaro, campers forge unforgettable memories amid nature’s grandeur, making the ascent not just a physical feat, but a deeply enriching adventure of the spirit.

Mostly Frequently Asked Questions

How much weight of equipment will I carry?

You are expected to carry your own day pack, with only things which should be able to sustain you until you reach the next camp at the end of the day. You do not need to carry your personal backpack/ duffel pack – It will be carried by our porters.

What if I am slower than the other trekkers?

No worries about that – this is a common concern. It is much better for your body if you proceed slowly and guides will permanently remind you about this (“pole-pole” – which means “slowly slowly”). By walking slowly, your body will much better acclimatize to high altitude. There is plenty of time allocated each day for the treks, even for those who like to go very slowly.

What if I cannot make it to the top?

Some climbers may fall short of reaching the summit, but not at the expense of their overall experience. Even for those who never reached the top, the experience of the wonders of Kilimanjaro is very rewarding. If one or more members of the group decide they cannot continue, or if a guide deems it unsafe for an individual (or a group) to continue, they are escorted to the most convenient campsite or Hut. Our guides intimately know the network of shortcuts to escort climbers to safety, and they are trained to act quickly and calmly under any circumstance.

What is the accommodation like during trekking?

On the Marangu Route, there are simple basic Huts. The first 2 Huts sleep four people each and the last Hut is a dome-style with bunk beds. On all the other routes, you will sleep in 3 dome-style Tents, two people each. The Tents are modern and have an outer flysheet and large vestibules to keep equipment from the elements. They are set up, broken down, and carried- along with everything else- by our porters. There are public toilets set up at every campsite, but portable toilets are available upon request at the cost of $ 100 per group for the whole tour. Hot water is provided for each person every morning but No showers during the trek There will be dining tents with chairs and tables where all meals will be served. Before any meal, we will provide soap and hot water for washing your hands.

What is the food like on the mountain?

For each trek on the Mount a dedicated cook will be part of the logistical team. They are professional chefs and can prepare different kinds of dishes. Please see a sample page for Dietary Menu.

What if I get sick up the mountain?

You shouldn’t worry- You are in safe hands. Our guides are professionally trained to handle all sorts of distress and respond quickly and accordingly. They all have Wilderness First Aid Responder qualification and they will all time bring you to safety. They will directly call for an emergency evacuation if the situation worsens.

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