MACHAME ROUTE

The second most popular option among climbers is the Machame route, also known as “the Whiskey Route”. This route offers a wide variety of views, landscapes, and experiences. The starting point of the route, Located on the southern slope of Mt Kilimanjaro, Machame Gate will lead you to the top of Kilimanjaro along the exciting footpath which starts at the tropical forest, then runs through all the climate zones, and finishes with the Arctic desert in the summit area.

Camps along the trek are favorably located for a smooth and gradual acclimatization transition process. On the 3rd day, Machame Route converges with Lemosho and Umbwe at Barranco camp.

You can choose between a six or seven-day climb. The latter one is highly preferred for better acclimatization transition.

Facts About Machame Route.

The Machame route is known for its stunning views and diverse landscapes, including rainforests, alpine meadows, and rocky peaks.
The Machame route is considered a moderate to challenging route, with a success rate of approximately 70%.
The Machame route typically takes 6-7 days to complete, with a summit day that can last up to 15 hours.
The Machame route has a high altitude gain, with climbers reaching an elevation of over 5,000 meters (16,404 feet) on the first day.
The Machame route starts in the south of the mountain and follows a circular route around the western side of the mountain, ending at the summit.
The Machame route is known for its beautiful campsites, including Shira Plateau and Lava Tower, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Machame Route - Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival to Tanzania

Arrive into Tanzania. Upon arrival at the airport you will be met by our driver who will bring you to the hotel for the night

Day 2 - Arusha 1400M - Machame Gate 1800M to Machame Camp 2980M

-5 hours walking, 10 kms

Transport to Machame Gate (1 hour up to 1790m). Registration (sometimes it can take a few hours or so for this process). Trek to Machame Camp through beautiful montane forest on good path. Camp overnight at the edge of the forest.

Day 3 - Machame Camp 2980M to Shira Plateau 3840M

-6-7 hours walking, 7 kms

Machame camp to shira Plateau uphill through thin forest anfd into huge volcanic plateau. Camping is more exposed here with great view of the summit.

Day 4 - Shira Camp 3840m - Barranco Camp 3950m

-7-8 hours walking, 10 kms

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp traversing two valleys skirting the base of the summit massif. High desert environment with amazing rock formations, quite exposed to the weather, dropping into the Barranco Valley right beneath the Western Breach. This day ascends a maximum of 700 metres but the net height gain is only about 100 metres.

Day 5 - Barranco camp 3950m - Karanga Valley Camp 3950m

-5 hours walking, 4 kms

Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley, starting with a scramble over the Barranco Wall and over a further two valleys to get to this open campsite with great views of the Heim Glacier. Another up and down day but no net gain in height, which is all good for acclimatisation.

Day 6 - 4-5 hours walking, 4 kms

Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp, heading upwards towards the open rock and colder temperatures. Barafu means ‘ice’ in Swahili and the camping is amongst the rocks. Early dinner.

Day 7 - Barafu Camp 4550M to UHURU PEAK 5895M to Millennium Camp 2800M

-7 hours up, 6 hours down, 18 kms

Summit day. Night-time ascent on rock and scree, snow and ice, to the crater rim and the summit. Expect cold temperatures with windchill. The final slope to the crater rim and Stella Point has loose scree and is very slow. From Stella Point it is a further 45 minutes up the escarpment to the summit of Uhuru. Descend in sunlight to Barafu for early lunch, and then walk down to Millennium Camp, normally arriving midafternoon.

Day 8 - Millennium Camp 2800M to Mweka Gate 1000M to Arusha

-4-6 hours walking, 11 kms

normally at about 2pm. The gate is where tips are handed out and you say goodbye to the mountain staff, although sometimes this is done at the hotel. A hot shower and an afternoon relaxing.

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The climb cost includes:

Transfers:

Pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport;
Transfer to the trailhead – entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park;
Pick up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel;

Entry fees:

All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park ( conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fees, rescue fees, and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority).

Accommodation:

One night at 3* hotel before the expedition and one night after; The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay – caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant, and swimming pool);
Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern, comfortable 4-Season tents North Face VE-25 or Kilimanjaro Tents).

Please note:

All accommodation is on sharing basis (i.e. you will be sharing with your travel companion a twin/double room in the hotel and a tent during the hike. If you travel alone, we will match you with a same-sex adventurer).

Meals:

Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
All meals on the hike. Our Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks. A typical diet on Kilimanjaro includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit, and vegetables; vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and water).

Hiking and safety equipment:

4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery, and cutlery);
Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
GPS-tracking service;
Complete medical kits.

Climbing crew:

Professional guides, licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All our guides are holders of Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certifications. All our guides have 4+years of successful mountaineering experience;
Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).