Tour Overview
It is also known as the "Whiskey" route, and it’s the most popular route in the Mountain. The days on the route are longer and the walks are steeper. This route is considered a difficult route, and is better suited for more adventurous folks and those with some hiking or backpacking experience. This route is also scenically beautiful.
Included And Excluded
- Departure LocationArusha City
- Return LocationArusha City
- Accomdation while on SafariYes
- Arrival & departure airport transfersYes
- Shared 4x4 Land cruiser vehicleYes
- All Park Fees as specified in itineraryYes
- English Speaking Drive / GuideYes
- All Tanzania government taxes and service chargesYes
- Flying Doctor’s evacuation serviceYes
- Bottled mineral water while on safariYes
- Cooks and PortersYes
- Sleeping pad, foam, 1.5 inches thickYes
- Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanternsYes
- International Flights to/From No
- Mountain Climbing Gear No
- All items of personal nature phone callsNo
- Travel insuranceNo
- Laundry & VisasNo
- Tips and gratuitiesNo
- Add-on and supplements [Balloon Safari]No
- All other items not mentioned in the inclusions.No
Tour Plan
The route is steeper than both the Marangu and the Rongai routes and physically more demanding, but very good for acclimatisation. It joins the Lemosho route from New Shira Camp. Machame route is the most popular route with our guests – about 60% of our guests climb Kilimanjaro via the Machame route. Machame is nicknamed the ‘whiskey route’. You will descend along the Mweka route. This option is generally for slightly fitter hikers.
01
DAY 01 -MACHAME GATE - MACHAME CAMP
OVERNIGHT: MACHAME CAMP
The trip begins at the Machame Gate where we sigh-in, organize the gear with the porters and begin our climb around mid-day. Today is a nice leisurely hike through the tropical rain forest.
02
DAY 02 - MACHAME CAMP - SHIRA 2 CAMP
OVERNIGHT: SHIRA 2 CAMP
From the Machame Camp, we cross the stream onto its west bank and follow the path up the steep rocky ridge- crisscrossing a few times before reaching Shira Camp at the base of a same-circular wall of rocks. We will have ascended 900 meters (3, 000) in 5-7 hrs and about 6 km (3.72 miles) of walking.
03
DAY 03 - SHIRA 2 CAMP - LAVA TOWER - BARRANCO
OVERNIGHT: BARRANCO CAMP
From Shira Camp, we hike to Lava Tower (15,000) to acclimate and then proceed down to Barranco Camp via the great Barranco Wall. Tonight’s camp is one of the best on the mountain.
04
DAY 04 - BARRANCO CAMP - BARAFU CAMP
OVERNIGHT: BARAFU CAMP
Today is a shorter hike than the past few days, hiking up to the final camp before we get ascent. Today is the best day to get lost of rest. 95 percent of the walking today will be above elevation of 4250m.
05
DAY 05 - BARAFU CAMP - UHURU PEAK - MWEKA CAMP
OVERNIGHT: MWEKA CAMP
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
06
DAY 06 - MWEKA GATE - MOSHI
On your final day we will have a short three hrs hike out, walking through the lush forest. We will have lunch, and meet your vehicle at Mweka park gate and drive back to Moshi and spend a night or depart onwards.
