Machame Route

Machame Route

From $1800 - $2550

The Machame route, known as the "Whiskey" route, is now the most popular route on the mountain.
Machame approaches from the southwest and descends using Mweka, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco Wall, and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Icefield. The descent occurs on the Mweka route.
Climbers sleep in supplied tents at designated campsites, and eat meals either outdoors or inside a large dining tent. Staff prepares all meals and sets up the tents.
Many people list Kilimanjaro as a lifelong dream adventure. This itinerary allows you the time to see all of Kilimanjaro's main areas and with a 7 day ascent it also allows you a great chance of successfully making it to the roof of Africa! If you are looking for a great adventure that does not compromise safety or ethics then climb with us.

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Hut

• Elevation: 1800m (5,940ft) to 3000m (9,360 ft)
• Distance: 10 km/6 miles
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest

Pick-up from the hotel is around 8.00am. The drive to the Machame route gate takes about 1 hour. At the Machame route gate, We have some paper work to do before you start. Heading into the jungle, a 4-wheel drive track climbs gently for about 1 hour. Here you enter thicker forest, often with cloud swirling through the trees and monkeys calling from the canopy above. The trail is well maintained. 2 hours from the end of the 4-wheel drive track you arrive at a clearing that we use for lunch stops
Heading on after lunch the trail gets slightly steeper and as you climb and the trees begin to thin you can see that you’re climbing a narrow ridge between 2 shallow valleys. After 2 hours of climbing you reach the end of the forest; from here you enter the heather and moorland zone and after 15 minutes you reach Machame Camp, your first night's stop on the Machame route. Camp will have been set up for you by the porters and when you arrive you'll get hot drinks, popcorn and warm water for washing followed by dinner. The evening views of Kibo from Machame Camp are breath-taking.

Day 2:Machame Hut to Shira Cave

• Elevation: 3000m (9,360 ft) to 3800m (12,500 ft)
• Distance: 5 km/3 miles
• Hiking Time 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Heather and Moorland

From Machame camp you hike to Shira Camp. The first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly. A picnic lunch is taken on trail today. The zone you pass through today is known as the heath and moorland zone where attractive Helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys.

Day 3: Shira Cave to Barranco Hut

• Elevation: 3800m (12,500 ft) to 3950m (13,044 ft)
• Distance: 10km/6miles
• Hiking Time 7-8 hours
• Habitat: Heather and Moorland

Following an early morning breakfast, you will leave the moorland environment and enter the semi desert and rocky landscape. After 5 hours of walking east, you will be come face to face with the Lava Tower (4630m). Packed lunches are served at the Tower and hikers have the option of climbing the massive Lava Tower if the weather is permitting. At this point of the hike, it is normal for hikers to start feeling the effects from the altitude including headaches and shortness of breath.
After lunch, you will descend from Lava Tower (4630m) to the Barranco Campsite (3950m). The 680m descent gives hikers a huge advantage to allow their bodies to adjust to the conditions of high altitude. The descent to camp takes around 2 hours to reach. It is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall (“Breakfast Wall”). Hot drinks and Pop corn will be served as hikers view the sun set.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

• Elevation:3950m (13,000 ft) to 3995m (13,106 ft)
• Distance: 5 km/ 3 miles
• Hiking Time 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Alpine desert

This is a short hiking day meant for acclimatization. After an early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. You will spend the night at Karanga Camp (3950m) and enjoy dinner and washing at the site.

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• Elevation: 3995m (13,106) ft to 4667m (15,331 ft)
• Distance: 4 km/ 2 miles
• Hiking Time 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, you will begin your ascent. The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu Camp (4550m). The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!

Day 6: summit attempt: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

• Elevation: 4667m (15,331 ft) to 5895m (19,341 ft)
• Distance: 5 km/3 miles
• Hiking Time 7-8 hours
• Habitat: Arctic zone

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

• Elevation: 5895m (19,341 ft) to 3100m (10,065 ft)
• Distance: 12 km/7 miles
• Hiking Time 4-6 hourss
• Habitat: Rain Forest

Your guide will wake you around 23:00 for tea, biscuits and porridge. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest and you will ascend over stone scree in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short breaks. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. Near Stella Point (5756m/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 Africa continent, (5895m/19,341ft). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment!
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for short break and 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.

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

• Elevation: 3100m (10,065 ft) to 1650m (5,180 ft)
• Distance: 7 km/4 miles
• Hiking Time 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest 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 and drive to the hotel, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower and cold Kilimanjaro or Safari beer..!