The machame route also known informally as the whisky-route is one of the most popular to suumit kilimanjaro, which at 5895m and Africa highest mountain. The route is slightly rougher than the marangu route.
For this 6 day adventure you will be picj=ked up at yiur hotel or the airport and set off on an unforgettable journey that will take you through one of the Tanzania famous landmarks. You will need a good fitness level and prior mountaineering experience to join.
| Departure | Kilimanjaro International Airport |
| Includes |
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Day 1 : machame gate – machame camp
Drive from moshi to the mount kilimanjaro national park gate takes about 50 min. the journey takes you through the machame village which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. . you will leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery . you will continue a short distance until you reach the machame camp.
Total distance 11km
Hiking time 5-7 hours
Habitat rain forest
All meals included
Day 2 : machame camp – shira camp
After breakfast you leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route now turns west on a river gorge . you now rest have dinner and overnight.
Total distance 5km
Hiking time 4-6 hours
Habitat moorland
All meals included
Day 3 : shira camp – lava tower – barranco camp
From the shira plateau you continue to the east up the ridge passing the junction towards the peak of kibo. As you continue, your direction changes to south east towards the lava tower. After the tower, you come to the second junction which brings you up to the arrow glacier and continue down to the barranco hut . here you rest, enjoy dinner and overnight. This day is also good for acclimatization which will help your body prepare for the summit day.
Total distance 10km
Hiking time 6-8 hours
Habitat semi desert
All meals included
Day 4 : Barranco camp – karanga camp – Barafu camp
After breakfast you leave barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the barranco wall to the karanga valley campsite. Leave karanga and hit the junction which connect with mweka trail. You continue up to the barafu hut. At this point, you will have completed the south circuit which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here you make camp, rest enjoy dinner and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks; mawenzi and kibo are to be seen from this position.
Total distance 9km
Hiking time 8-10 hours
Habitat alpine desert
All meals included
Day 5 : barafu camp - summit – mweka hut
Very early in the morning at midnight, you continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a north western direction and ascend through heavy scree towards stella point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At stella point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. From stella point you will encounter snow all the way to the summit . from the summit you now make your descent continuing straight down to mweka hut campsite stopping at barafu for lunch. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well earned sleep.
Total distance 5km ascent/12km descent
Hiking time 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat Arctic
All meals included
Day 6 : mweka camp – moshi
After breakfast, you continue to descent down to the mweka park gate to receive your summit certificate. From the gate, you will proceed to mweka village where you will meet your driver to drive you back to moshi.
Total distance 10km
Hiking time 3-4 hours
Habitat rainforest
All meals included
