Kilimanjaro Machame Route
7 Days Trek Experience
The Kilimanjaro Machame route is undoubtedly the busiest on the mountain due to its high success rate and attractiveness. You have an amazing journey over the course of 7 days and a great chance of summiting successfully.
The ascent starts at Machame Gate, 1800 meters above sea level, with an approach to the mountain’s south-west. On the first day, it travels through a magnificent rainforest before continuing upward to Shira Camp, where the Lemosho route connects from the west. From here, you must travel along the mountain’s southern flank to Barranco via the Lava Tower before ascending the Great Barranco Wall to reach Barafu Camp. Instead of going back the way you came, you will take the Mweka trail down once you’ve reached the summit.
The Machame route is known as the “Whiskey Route” because it is regarded as being more challenging than the Marangu route, which is known as the “Coca Cola Route.” In reality, it is longer and at some points steeper than it is technically challenging. A much better chance for acclimatization is provided by the longer distance and the chance to “walk high, sleep low,” which leads to a very high success rate.
For those who haven’t hiked much at high altitudes, the Machame route is a good seven-day trip with an effective extra day of acclimatization, improving success rates. Mountaineers with experience and acclimatization may choose the more challenging 6-day ascent along the Machame route.
Trip Accommodation
2 Nights in Moshi
Trip Itenerary
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Day 1: Arrival
To get to Kilimanjaro International Airport, every hiker must arrange their own flights (JRO). We will set up a private transfer for you from JRO to your hotel in Arusha. You will meet your local Sereti representative that evening or early the following morning and receive a thorough pre-climb briefing and gear checking
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Day 2: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
To register, take a ride from your hotel to Machame Gate. Before we begin our ascent along the forest trail to Machame Camp at 3000m, our porters prepare and pack our supplies and luggage. We'll spend the night here.
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Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast, we set out on foot, leaving the rainforest behind. We gradually climb our way up to a steep, rocky ridge that is covered in heather. Until we reach Shira Camp, our path now curves to the west through a river gorge. Tonight will be significantly colder than last night, with potential lows below zero.
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Day 4: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp Via Lava Tower
We will ascend to 4600 meters today and descend to the Lava Tower's base for lunch and acclimatization. Our hardest day thus far will be today, and you might feel the effects of the altitude for the first time. Following the acclimatization maxim "walk high, sleep low," we will descend by nearly 650 meters again to Barranco Camp after lunch. We descend to Barranco Camp over a two-hour period, which provides wonderful opportunities to capture some breathtaking images of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is located in a valley between the Great Barranco Wall and the Breach.
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Day 5: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp
A quick but enjoyable day that begins with a climb up the Great Barranco Wall. To reach the Karanga Valley (3930m), which is located beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers, we then travel over scree. At the campsite at Karanga, we'll spend the night here.
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Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Hut
In order to reach the intersection with the Mweka descent trail, we leave the Karanga campsite behind. We then ascend to Barafu Camp from here. You have now finished the Southern Circuit, which offers numerous perspectives of the summit. We can rest, eat dinner, and get ready for the summit day at camp. From here, it is possible to see Mawenzi and Kibo's two peaks in full view.
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Day 7: Summit Day
Around 23:30, you will be awakened with tea and cookies. Starting between the Rebman and Ratzel glaciers, we ascend to Stella Point on the crater rim on our ascent to the summit. The hardest part of the trek both mentally and physically is this. We'll take a quick break at Stella Point (5732m), where we're hoping to arrive in time to see the spectacular sunrise (weather permitting).<br> The highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the African continent, Uhuru Peak (5895m), is now only an hour away. We take Barafu for lunch before descending to Mweka camp site from the summit. You'll need trekking poles for the loose scree leading down to Mweka Camp (3100m). We will have our final meal on the mountain later in the evening before a well-deserved rest.
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Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
This is your last day of the trek; after breakfast, we continue our descent of 1300 meters to the Mweka Park Gate, where you can pick up your summit certificates from the park headquarters. Obtain a ride to your hotel
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Day 9: Departure
We'll say goodbye after a much-needed night of rest. If you have scheduled an airport transfer with us, a safari, or a trip to Zanzibar, we will pick you up in the morning for your next destination.
Pricing
Included
- Meals & Beverages
- Scheduled Activities
- Transport Logistics
- Applicable Fees and Levies
Not Included
- Gratuities
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Items