The Machame Route is one of the popular trekking routes to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania and attracts thousands of trekkers and climbers each year. The Machame Route is also known as the “Whiskey Route” due to its challenging nature compared to the “Coca-Cola Route” (Marangu Route
Moshi/Moshi
climbing
Mid-range Safari
Distance: 1hour Drive
Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport and drive to Moshi town where your hotel is located in the city Centre, near the park gate. If you arrive early, take some time to explore this exciting town. There are many fascinating cultural and historical places to visit. In the evening you will meet Our represevtive for a short adventure briefing.
Altitude: 1,800 m – 3,100 m
After breakfast which is served in the Morning. Meet your Guides and Crew for a short briefing and packing your hiking items and drive to Machame gate for a 45-minute from Moshi (910m) to the Machame Park Gate. You will receive a packed lunch box at the gate and we advise you to bring bottled water available to purchase at the Hotel in Moshi. After registering at the gate office, you start your hiking by entering the rainforest. There is a possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy, and slippery experience. In the evening the the cook crew will boil drinking and washing water and prepare dinner before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can drop to freezing point at Machame camp.
Altitude: 3,100 m – 3,840 m
You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast, you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest where you will be met with a gentler gradient through the moorland zone, where you will walk for another 2 hours. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike, you will reach the Shira camp at 3,840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving you dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be even colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
Altitude: 3,840 m – 3,940 m
The route now turns east exposing you to a semi-desert and a rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4600m). This will be the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch, you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. The descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours where you will get great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner and eventual overnight at Barranco camp.
Altitude: 3,960 m – 4,550 m
Exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, walking sticks, and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure that you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at around about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep for not more than 5 hours.
Altitude: 4,670 m – 5,895 m – 3,100 m
Hiking distance: 17 km
Hiking time: 15+ hours
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you will shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through a heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella Point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685 m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka Camp (3100m) for dinner and overnight.
Altitude: 3,100 m – 1,800 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Wake up with early breakfast, and make way from the Mweka Gate, you will continue down into Mweka village, normally a muddy hour walks. From Mweka village, you will be driven to Hotel where you will be served a delicious hot lunch, not to mention your chance to take a long overdue hot shower. Overnight in the Hotel. At your discretion, tips are recommended, as well as highly appreciated at the end of the trip. Tips can be given to the guide at the Hotel. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5,685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895m) receive gold certificates.
After 7 Days Adventure in Kilimanjaro Mountain it’s time to say goodbye to this stunning and unforgettable Land. A transfer brings you back to Kilimanjaro International airport for your onward travel or We welcome you to proceed with next destination Safari and Zanzibar for relaxation.
