Machame Route (6 Days)
Nicknamed the “Whiskey” route because the route is challenging on the second day due to its steepness and rough rocky trail.
On an overall comparison of the routes to scale Kilimanjaro, this is among the best routes to take, both in terms of acclimatization and cost.
The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. However, due to its popularity, there are increased numbers of trekkers. The Machame route approaches the
summit from the southwest joining Lemosho route and descends using the Mweka route, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco wall, and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field.
Best for acclimatization with lots of walk high, sleep low opportunities.
Very popular trail.
Arrival & Pre-trek Briefing : Arrival & Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should plan to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today, we will have a pre-trek briefing. Our guides will also review your equipment and advise you to rent any needed equipment.
Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate takes about 1 hour. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
At the gate you will do some paper work and have lunch as the guide and Porters do the weighing of the luggage
We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations 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.
Elevation: 1800m/6000ft to 3000m/9950ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heather and Moorland
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Activities : Trekking
After breakfast we leave the camp and continue on an ascending path, along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira Cave Camp campsite
Elevation: 3000m/9950ft to 3750m/12,300ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Activities : Trekking
From the Shira Caves we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction where Machame route meets Lemosho route toward Barranco Camp. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, (elev 4600m/15,250ft). Shortly after the Tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier.
We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4600m/15,091 ft to 3900masl 12,795 ft
Distance: 10km/6.2mi
Walking Time: 8-9 hours depends on pase
Habitat: Heath and moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Activities : Trekking
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elev 4200m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev 3950m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit way from many different angles. Here we make camp with views of the Stella Point in the distance.
Elevation: 3900m/13,795ft to 4673m/15,331ft
Distance: 10km/6.2mi
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Activities : Trekking
Very early in the morning (midnight around 12 am), we continue our way to the summit towards Stella Point 4756masl. You head in a Southwesterly direction and ascend on a winding trail to the top and at Stella Point walk along on the crater rim.
This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for brunch/lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down or Crampons incase has snowed. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3100m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Activities : Trekking
After breakfast and tipping ceremony, 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).
Promised Kilimanjaro & Safaris vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 40 minutes) or Arusha if you have booked a Safari. You might be happy to celebrate with the team or may be happy to shop around.
Elevation: 3100m/10,170ft to 1800m/5900ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Activities : Trekking
Payment Terms : Deposit Payment
Deposit is 10% of the total booking amount.
Deposit can be paid either via a bank transfer or an online card payment.
A 5% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charges), this is non-refundable.
Once you make the advance payment you will receive a booking confirmation
Payment Terms : Balance Payment
Balance can be paid via bank transfer, online card payment, or with cash on arrival.
Bank payment can be done 20 days prior to the tour date (recommended 30 days prior).
Card Payment can be done 1 day prior to the tour date (recommended 10 days prior).
A 5% fee is applicable on all card payments (payment gateway charge); this is non-refundable.
Cash can be paid on arrival (USD printed in or after the year).
Cancellation Policy : 8 days and above departure
No Cancellation
Cancellation Policy : 0 to 7 days before departure
50% of the total tour price will be charged as cancellation fees.
Trek can be postponed to any new date without any extra cost at any point in time.
The 5% surcharge paid for either or both advance and balance payments is non-refundable in case of cancellation of the trek.
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