7 DAYS - 6 Nights Kilimanjro Climbing Via Machame Route

Description

The Machame route, also known as the Whiskey route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep and challenging, particularly due its shorter itinerary. Therefore this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking or backpacking experience.

The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with a short drive from Moshi to the Machame Gate. The path leads hikers through the rain forest to the Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro’s routes converge. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. The descent is made via the Mweka route.

Plan Africa Adventures offers the Machame route as a seven day group climb or as a six day private climb. The six day variation combines days four and five, going from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp without staying at Karanga.

Tour Photos

Program itinerary

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  1
  

  Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport

  Highlights

  Meeting the Mountain guide for your upcoming climb and checking if all climbing gears are present.

  Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be transferred to your Hotel in Arusha or Moshi for your overnight stay. Dinner and Breakfast Included.

  
  

  Summary

  Transfer to your Hotel in Moshi.

  
  
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  2
  

  Day 2: Climbing from Machame Gate to Machame Camp

  Highlights

  Breakfast at your Hotel
  Drive to the starting gate
  Registration/Check in at the gate
  climbing from 1500m to 3000m above the sea level

  
  

  Summary

  Machame Gate (1500m) to Machame Camp (3000m), Distance is about 18 km.

  It is approx. 45 minutes drive from Moshi to Machame gate. All your equipment and supplies will be taken over by porters and a cook will prepare all your meals. Where accommodation on the Marangu route are in huts, the Machame route offers tents only. After all formalities have been taken care at the gate, you’ll head into the forest and begin the 7-hour ascent to the first camp on the mountain, Machame camp (3000m).

  
  
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  3
  

  Day 3: Climb from Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp

  Highlights

  Climbing from 3000 to Shira Camp 3840 metres above the sea level
  Distance covered: 4km
  Approx. time taken: 5hours
  Steep ascent to Shira Plateau
  Rewarding view of Moshi town and Mt. Meru.

  
  

  Summary

  Machame Camp (3000) to Shira Camp (3840), distance is about 9 Km.
  Breakfast is served early in the mess tent and if the weather is permitting, you could take in your first view of the Western Breach of Kilimanjaro. The lunch stop will be reached at about 3600m and after this short lunch and an equally limited rest you'll continue up the rocky ridge to the next camp on the mountain, Shira camp (3840).

  
  
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  4
  

  Day 4: Climb from Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp

  Highlights

  Climbing from 3840 to Barranco Camp 3950
  Distance covered: 10.8km
  Approx. time taken: 8 hrs
  Walking on the heath moorland vegetation
  Walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.

  
  

  Summary

  Shira Camp (3840) to Barranco Camp (3950), distance is about 15 km.
  The route now turns east into a semi-desert and rocky environment where you reach an altitude of 4600m after a 5 hours walk to Lava Tower. As you ascend from the Shira camp (3950m), there are good views of the Shira Plateau to the west, Oehler Ridge to the northeast and the Western Breach to the east. This day you will climb high and steep low.

  
  
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  5
  

  DAY 5: Climb from Brranco camp to Karanga Camp

  Highlights

  Climbing from 3950m to Karanga Camp 4200 meter above the sea level,
  Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
  Approx. time taken: hours
  A climb over the rock
  A view of great Barranco wall

  
  

  Summary

  Barranco Camp (3950m) to Karanga Camp (4200m), distance is about 6 km
  The morning starts with a scramble up the almost vertical Barranco Wall to an altitude of about 4200m and after approx. 3 hours, the path now crosses through the southern slopes to reach the Karanga Valley.

  
  
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  6
  

  Day 6: Climb from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

  Highlights

  Climbing from 3994m to Barafu Camp 4600, metres above the sea level,
  Distance covered: 4km
  Approx. time taken: 4-5 hours
  Waking through a screed slope which has no vegetation
  A view of the two peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi

  
  

  Summary

  After breakfast, you continue in a south-easterly direction to the junction before turning north to reach Barafu camp (4600m). Here you take a long rest and prepare for the midnight ascent to the summit.

  
  
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  7
  

  DAY 7: Climb from Barafu Camp to Summit - Uhuru peak and descend to Mweka Camp

  Highlights

  Climbing from 4600m to Uhuru Peak 5895, meters above the sea level,
  Distance covered: 5km
  Approx. time taken: 5 hours
  Climb to the Roof of Africa (Uhuru Peak)
  Descending to Mweka camp

  
  

  Summary

  At around midnight, you'll head in a northwesterly direction up the southeast valley towards Stella Point on the crater rim. The 6-hour long walk to Stella Point is a mental and physical challenge with the steep face just below Stella posing the ultimate challenge. The time you spend on the summit is determined by the weather and wind conditions. The walk back to Mweka Camp from the summit can take over 7 hours

  
  
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  8
  

  DAY 8: Descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka gate Day Highlight.

  Highlights

  Descend from Mweka Camp 3067m to Mweka Gate 1640m, metres above the sea level
  Transfer to your Hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
  Distance covered: 10km
  Approx. time taken: 5 hours
  Awarded Certificate of Accomplishmen

  
  

  Summary

  You will camp for the night at Mweka camp (3100m) before departing for the Mweka Parks Gate the next morning where your driver will pick you up and take you back to your Hotel in Moshi for dinner and overnight on bed and breakfast.

  
  
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  9
  

  DAY 9: Transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport

  Summary

  Transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for

  • Extension to Zanzibar
  • Safari extension
  • Leisure stay with various day trip excursions
  • Cultural tours

  We are also pleased to draw up an itinerary that perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.

  
  

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