6-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Trek
Duration
6 Days / 5 Nights
Difficulty
Challenging
Location
Tanzania
From
$1,980
Overview
Machame route known as the Whisky Route, this is one of the most scenic and therefore popular routes on the mountain and offers adventurous climbers stunning scenic outlooks. With paths through magnificent forests to gain a ridge leading through the moorland zones to late sunsets at Shira Plateau to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco Wall. It then traverses beneath the glaciated precipices of the Southern Ice fields to join the Barafu Route to the summit. Because it can be done over longer periods and the incline is more manageable it has a much higher success rate of summit.
Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Machame Gate - Machame Camp
Departing from Moshi a 45-minute drive will take you through the Village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.
Machame Camp - Shira Camp
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite. Temperatures begin to drop.
Shira Camp - Lava Tower - Barranco Camp
Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.
Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp
After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up 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.
Barafu Camp – Summit-mweka Camp
Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused of the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way. Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa! After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight Mweka Camp.
Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate – Moshi
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles. From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight stay at Chanya lodge B&B in Moshi
What's Included
- Lead Guide(s), Assistant Guide(s), for 2+ people
- English Speaking & Wilderness First Responder Trained
- Cook, Porters, equipment, personal client luggage (15 kg per client)
- The ratio of porters per client is 3 to 4.
- Sleeping mat, 2-inch foam
- Pillow
- Walk-in dining tent and table
- Backed chairs
- Wash basins with hot water each morning and evening
- Three meals per day & afternoon snack during the trek
- Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free upon request
- Treated drinking water (minimum of 3L per day while trekking with additional water available at camp)
- Coffee and tea during the trek
- Pulse oximeter
- Altitude sickness checklists
- First aid kit
- Emergency oxygen
- Camping/hut, rescue, conservation and taxes
- Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages
- Pre-trek briefing with your guide
- Round-trip airport transfer between Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Moshi
- Round-trip transfer between Moshi and the park gate
- Hotel stays in Moshi pre- and post-trek (2 nights total) on bed & breakfast
- Kilimanjaro National Park fees and VAT
- Sleeping tent, 3-person size for 2 people
What's Not Included
- Gratuities/tips
- Personal trekking gear such as sleeping bag and clothing
- Favored beverages (water, soda and alcohol at hotels)
- Additional accommodation or meals resulting from early descent
- Tanzania entry visa
- Travel insurance
- Domestic or international flights
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc
- Private portable toilet (available for bookings)
