Tour Over view
Many people say that this is the most beautiful route up Mt. Kilimanjaro. It is particularly varied in landscape and offers great views of Mount Meru and the Kibo. This route is often referred as the “whiskey route” it is mostly preferred by adventurous hikers. Unlike Marangu route accommodation here is at camping sites in tents. Where your mountain crew will have everything set up for you.
You can choose between 6 and 7 days Machame route. We recommend you to do 7 days because an additional day for acclimatization is the key to a successful climb up to the summit. For well experienced and fit climbers the 6 day climb is also suitable. If you choose to do 6 days, you will not spend the night at karanga camp on day 4. You will go on to the barafu camp (the base camp) and spend a few hours there, before you will start to go up to the summit at around midnight.
Included In the Price
- All accommodation according to the itinerary
- Services of fully qualified English speaking Guide and an assistant guide
- Meals according to the safari itinerary
- All park entry fees
- All mentioned activities as per itinerary
- All government taxes
- Transfer from Moshi town 2 ways complementary
- Porters’ fee
- Kinapa Rescue fees
- Drinking Water
- Kilimanjaro certificate for your successful summit attempt
Excluded in the Price
- Domestic and International Flights
- Tanzania Visa Entry Fees
- Tips and Gratuities for the driver guide and cook
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
- Optional Activities
- Travel insurance
Itinerary
Trip Schedule
You will be collected from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi and transfer to the Machame gate, 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
- Overnight at Machame Camp
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 city in the distance.
Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
- Overnight at Shira Camp
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
- Overnight at Barranco Camp
Our day starts by descending into the start of 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. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
- Overnight at Karanga Camp
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Distance covered:3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
- Overnight at Barafu Camp
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
- Overnight at Mweka Camp
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 your hotel in Arusha or Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower.
Distance covered:12.1km / 7.5mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
- Drop off at your hotel in Arusha/Moshi