KILIMANJARO – MACHAME ROUTE – 7 DAYS

7 Day Kilimanjaro Trekking Tour + 2 nights’ hotel stay

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame route is one of the most scenic and the most reputable route as much more as none of other routes in comparison. Nicknamed the “Whiskey Route”, the Machame route most especially in comparison with the Marangu route which is being referred to as a “Coca-Cola route.” The Marangu route is arguably one of the most challenging routes in terms of its high elevations and altitudes; but it is better suited for adventurous trekkers and those familiarized with mountain trek experience.

The Machame route is proven to be scenically the most beautiful and appealing route comparing to other routes. Taking you through the stunning sights across the Shira plateau, from Barranco Wall to Lava tower and all the way up to the summit, the Machame route has much more to offer than the amazing memories of the Kilimanjaro adventure experience. Some parts of this route are steeper than the Marangu and Rongai routes and strategically more demanding but is strenuously easier comprehensive. However, the Machame route is highly reputable for its rising and falling elevations with trek high and sleep low geomorphology that offers a better acclimatization hike as we move from one camp to another.

Overnights on the 7-day Machame Route will be in tents.

ITINERARY:

Day 0: Arrival in Tanzania – drive to Moshi

Our representatives will be waiting to meet you at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) on your arrival with our transferring driver and drive to the Hotel in Moshi for relaxation and overnight. Upon your arrival, depending on time; your trekking guide will meet you at the hotel for a short briefing concerning the trip and conduct a quick equipment check should you require and trekking gear to be borrowed as soon as possible. Your trek will commence the next day early morning for the long awaited adventure of a life time.

Day 1: Machame Entrance Gate (1,800m / 5905.6ft) to Machame Camp (3,000 m / 9842.6ft)

After an early morning breakfast our driver will pick you up at your hotel at 8:00am hours and transferred to the Machame entrance gate to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park located about an hour’s drive away. The trek will begin after the completion of the registration process while the rest of the team including porters and a chef will have departed early for timely preparations. We will therefore start our steady hike through the lush rainforest of the Machame glades (with our lunch box to be taken on the way) heading to the Machame Camp for dinner and overnight. After a hike of about 5 to 6 hours, you will reach the day’s destination – the Machame Camp which is located just above the timberline at 3,010 meter. Prior to reaching at the camp, you will have well prepared hot dinner followed by an overnight stay in tents.

Distance: 10km/6.3miles

Duration: 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis

Day 2: Trekking Machame Camp (3,000m / 98426ft) to Shira Cave Camp (3,750m / 12303.6ft)

Our second day will be a little different as we have already gained an advantageous hiking experience of the trek from the first day. After having taken our early morning breakfast, we will start the hiking adventure along steep path and the landscape changes into heath and moorland with spectacular views of the geomorphology of the Kilimanjaro Mountain. The second day’s destination will be a little shorter than the previous day but will require a lot more energy to reach to the Shira Cave Camp by mid-afternoon for a hot lunch and relaxation. If capable we can take an acclimatization walk at late afternoon to Shira Cave up to 3,840m then descend back to the camp for dinner and overnight.

Distance: 6km/3.8mi
Duration: 4-5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis

Day 3: Shira Cave Camp (3,750m / 12303.2ft) to Lava Tower (4,600m / 15180ft) to Barranco Camp (3,940m / 13002ft)

Today you will climb up from Shira Cave Camp to Barranco Camp across the Lava Tower and gain an incredible height of about 800 meter. You will be camping at an elevation only slightly higher than the previous night at a different altitude. This will allow your body to acclimatise better since your body will familiarize with the new altitude to avoid altitude sickness. The hike begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower located at 4,640m / 15,250ft. The vegetation cover diminishes as we enter to a different landscape of an afro-alpine desert. The route heads across the Barranco Valley with a variety of plants including lobelia and the giant senecio kilimanjari as we move towards the Barranco Camp.

Distance: 10km/6miles
Duration: 6 – 7 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,940m / 12926.6ft) to Karanga Camp (3963m / 13,002ft)

On this day, we will head towards the huge ravine called “The Great Barranco Wall”. The Great Barranco Wall divides us from the south eastern slopes of Kibo. The climb over the cliff of the Barranco Wall doesn’t involve any technical assistance but a long and strenuous task. Hiking below the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head across the Karanga valley to the Karanga Camp (set at 3963m) for a hot lunch and relaxation.

For those who are able can take a late-afternoon acclimatization hike up to about 4200m then descending back to a lower elevation of 3963m at the Karanga Camp for dinner and overnight.

Distance: 6km / 3.8mi

Duration: 3 – 4 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis

Day 5: Karanga Camp (3963m / 13,002ft) to Barafu Camp (4,640m / 15,224ft)

Our day will begin with a set off on our hike to the Base Camp, The Barafu camp located at 4,640m / 15,224ft above sea level. We will hike passing through the scree slopes of the desolate plains with no vegetation cover. Heading to this highest elevation to the base camp will require a little more efforts to overcome the challenging altitude. Prior to arriving at the Barafu Camp you will have a well prepared hot lunch, spend the afternoon relaxing and take an early dinner soon before you take a quick night sleep as a long night and day is ahead of us. It is important to keep warm and hydrated. Our Guide will wake you up at around 11pm to start the final ascent to the “UHURU PEAK” sited at 5,895m / 19,341ft above sea level.

Distance: 4km / 2.5mi

Duration: 3 – 4 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4640m / 15,224ft) to UHURU PEAK (5895m / 19,341ft) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m / 12,434ft)

Our final ascent will commence at midnight at around 11pm to 12pm respectively. We will begin with a hike along a steeply upward trail across the summit zone where you can catch a glimpse of the spectacular views of the Kilimanjaro glaciers. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5,739m) before the first rays of the sun find us. Our hike will last for about 5 – 6 to reach to the Stella Point, gaining an incredible height over a short distance. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Amazing ice cliffs amidst the crater surrounds us and the spectacular views of the Mawenzi peak and beyond are mind-blowing. Reaching to the Uhuru Peak 5,895m, you will take a few pictures with the signboard to keep the memory of your heroic achievement then descend down the same trail back to Stella point and down to the Barafu Camp for a hot meal and a little relaxation. After a short rest we will proceed in our descent down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Distance: 13.5km / 8.4mi

Duration: 12 – 15 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis

Day 7: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m / 12,435ft) to Mweka Gate (1600m / 5,250ft)

On this last day of our hiking adventure, we will take a gentle descent down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates to enshrine your great achievement. Our driver will be waiting at the gate for a transfer back to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower and a cup of coffee before having a big and well prepared celebration.

Distance: 13.5km / 8.4mi

Duration: 5 – 7 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Accommodation is at the previous hotel