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 - ARRIVAL KILIMANJARO - MOSHI
OVERNIGHT: ARUSHA Or MOSHI
I will pick the clients up and board with them a schedule bus from airport then proceed to Arusha hotel, where we will do a proper gear check and Kilimanjaro briefing with your whole group, you will meet your guide and we get you ready for the Mountain ahead of you. We will have to get you ready for it – the highest number of people who do not make it to the summit are between 16 and 30 years of age because the younger you are the easier it is not to listen – Our guide will help you get to the top. If you listen to us and your body then there is no reason why you will not make it.
- Overnight in Arusha or Moshi Accommodation.
02
DAY 02 - MACHAME GATE - MACHAME CAMP
OVERNIGHT: MACHAME CAMP
The drive from Moshi or Arusha 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.
03
DAY 03 - MACHAME CAMP - SHIRA 2 CAMP
OVERNIGHT: 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.
04
DAY 04 - SHIRA 2 CAMP - LAVA TOWER - BARRANCO
OVERNIGHT: BARRANCO CAMP
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.
05
DAY 05 - BARRANCO CAMP - BARAFU CAMP
OVERNIGHT: BARAFU CAMP
we continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.
06
DAY 06 - 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.
07
DAY 07 - MWEKA CAMP - MWEKA GATE
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
