6 Day Machame Route - Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

6 Day Machame Route - Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

The Machame route, also referred to as the Whiskey route, is one of the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro and a favorite for Ahsante Tours. Despite being a tough climb compared to the Marangu route, the Machame route has one of the highest summit success rates given the topography of the route which allows climbers to “trek high & sleep low” hence making it a more favorable route for acclimatization. Unlike the Marangu route which is a gradual ascent, the Machame route is has steeper trails and climbers walk longer distances. This route offers some of the most spectacular scenery while on the mountain. The Machame route starts in the south west side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Lemosho routes at the Shira camp. The Machame route can be done in minimum 6 days but a 7 day trek is recommended so climbers are well rested and acclimatized before making the final ascent to the summit.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania

Pass By: Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day. Overnight at Mvuli Hotel (or alternative).

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Ambassador Hotel Arusha

Day 2: Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Two hour’s drive from Arusha lies the gate to the Machame route, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.

Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi

Approx. time taken: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Machame Camp

Day 3: Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.

Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi

Approx. time taken: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Shira Camp

Day 4: Shira Cave (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.

Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi

Approx. time taken: 8 hrs

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Barranco Camp

Day 5: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Barafu Camp (4640m

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Our day starts by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley, which is our last stop for fresh water before the summit. Scree now forms the terrain as we walk through arid and desolate land towards Barafu camp.

Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi

Approx. time taken: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Barafu Camp

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m)

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi

Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Millennium Camp

Day 7: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
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 to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration. Overnight at the Mvuli Hotel (or alternative)

Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi

Approx. time taken: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Ambassador Hotel Arusha

Day 8: Depart Tanzania

Pass By: Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.