Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing 6 Days Machame Route

Mountain Kilimanjaro Climbing 6 Days Machame Route

The Machame route is also known as the Whiskey route, given its reputation for being a tough climb, in contrast to the easier Marangu route, which is known as the Coca Cola route. Unlike the gradual incline and hut accomodations found on the Marangu Route, the climbers on Machame hike steeper trails, for longer distances, while sleeping in tents.

The Machame Route climb can be done in a minimum of six days (five nights) on the mountain. However, it is most often tackled over seven days (six nights), for a better altitude acclimatization schedule. The trek begins at Machame Gate, located in the southern base of mountain, within its lush, fertile rainforest.

The route heads toward the Shira Plateau, before circling along the southern circuit halfway around the mountain, exposing the climber to great views from all angles. The approach to the summit is made from the east, and the descent follows the Mweka trail.

Itinerary

Day 1: Machame gate To Machame Camp

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
One hour’s drive from Moshi 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 rain forest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.
Duration: 6 hours

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

Day 2: Machame Camp To Shira Camp

Stop At: 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

Duration: 6 hours

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

Day 3: Shira Cave To Barranco Camp

Stop At: 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.
Duration: 7 hours

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

Day 4: Barranco Camp To Barafu Camp

Stop At: 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.
Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 5: Barafu Camp To Uhuru Peak & Down To Mweka Camp

Stop At: 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.

Duration: 15 hours

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

Day 6: Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate

Stop At: 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 hot shower.

Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Hotel