The Machame route, also referred to as the Whiskey route, was one of the most popular routes and crowded on Kilimanjaro. But now many people have been choosing Lemosho as altenative to avoid crowd which makes the route less populated compare to Lemosho. This is one of our favorite route due to its scenery and success rates. Machame route is one of the highest summit success rates given the topography and nature of the route which allows climbers to "trek high & sleep low" hence making it a more favorable route for acclimatization. This route offers some of the most spectacular scenery while on the mountain. The Machame route starts in the south west side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Lemosho routes just after the Shira cave camp. The Machame route can be done in minimum 6 days but a 7 day trek is recommended to allow climbers been well rested and acclimatized before making the final ascent to the summit.
Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to Parkview In hotel/Kilimanjaro wonders Hotel or Weruweru River lodgein Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day. Overnight at your arranged Hotel
Hotel is Bed & Breakfast basis.
Day 1: Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)
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 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
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 2: Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)
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.
Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 3: Shira Cave (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
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 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
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.
Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 5: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Mweka Camp (3100m)
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 Mweka Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Distance covered: 16.4km / 9.6mi
Approx. time taken: 13hours - 15hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 6: Trek Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
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 shower then celebrate with cold drinks. Overnight at your arranged Hotel
Distance covered: 9.1km / 7.5miles
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Hotel: Bed &Breakfast
Day 7: Depart Tanzania
This day left for your next destination. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to Zanzibar or fly back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.
Meals: Breakfast Included
o Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
o Pre & Post Trek accommodation at hotel
o Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees and 18% VAT on tour fees & services which cost nearly 55% of the total cost charged.
o 4Season mountain tents
o Sleeping Mats
o Transportation to & from the mountain gate
o Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
o 3 meals daily while on the mountain
o Filtered water throughout the trek
o Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
o Portable flush toilet provided.
o Flights
o Items of a personal nature and Laundry Services
o A doctor for the group
o Tips to mountain crew
Tip on Mountain Kilimanjaro is recommended for group sharing as following:
- Guide $15 - $20/guide/day
- Cook $10 - $15/day
- Porters $8 - $10/porter/day.