7 Days Machame route

7 Days Machame route

1 . Machame ("Whiskey") Route

Known as the "Whiskey" route, the Machame route is now the most popular route on the mountain. Compared with Marangu, the days on Machame are longer and the walks are steeper. The Machame route is considered a difficult route, and is better suited for more adventurous folks and those with some hiking or backpacking experience. 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.

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Stop At: Machame Camp, Tanzania
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft, Distance: 11 km, Hiking Time: 5-7 hours, Habitat: Rain Forest

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi

Approx. time taken: 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation included: Overnight at Machame camp

Day 2: Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Stop At: Shira Camp, Tanzania
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft, Distance: 5 km, Hiking Time: 4-6 hours, Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi

Approx. time taken: 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation included: Overnight at Shira camp

Day 3: Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Stop At: Barranco Camp, Tanzania
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft, Distance: 10 km, Hiking Time: 6-8 hours, Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi

Approx. time taken: 8 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation included: Overnight at Barranco camp

Day 4: Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Stop At: Karanga Camp, Mweka Trail, Tanzania
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft, Distance: 5 km, Hiking Time: 4-5 hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi

Approx. time taken: 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation included: Overnight at Karanga camp

Day 5: Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Stop At: Barafu Camp, Tanzania
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft, Distance: 4 km, Hiking Time: 4-5 hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi

Approx. time taken: 3 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation included: Overnight at Barafu camp

Day 6: Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

Stop At: Barafu Camp, Tanzania
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 1345ft (and down to 10,000ft) ,Distance: 5 km… ascent / 12 km descent ,Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent ,Habitat:

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.At Stella Point (18,600 ft), 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 may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. 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.

Distance covered: 16.4km / 9.6mi

Approx. time taken: 13hours – 15hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Duration: 13 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation included: Overnight at Mweka hut

Day 7: Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi

Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft, Distance: 10 km, Hiking Time: 3-4 hours, Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.

Distance covered: 9.1km / 7.5miles

Approx. time taken: 3 hours

Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.