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The Machame route is also known as the Whiskey route, given its reputation for being a tough climb, in contrast to the easier Marangu route, which is known as the Coca Cola route. Unlike the gradual incline and hut accommodations found on the Marangu Route, the climbers on Machame hike steeper trails, for longer distances, while sleeping in tents.
In a minimum of six days (five nights) on the mountain the Kilimanjaro Machame Route climb can be done. However, it is most often tackled over seven days (six nights), for a better altitude acclimatization schedule, which we really recommend. It is the second most popular and one of the most scenic routes on the mountain.
The Kilimanjaro Machame trek begins at Machame Gate, located in the southern base of mountain, within its lush, fertile rainforest. Descent is down the Mweka trail staying at the Mweka or Millennium camp the final night on the mountain.
On your arrival, you will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to a hotel in Arusha town; where you will meet a mountain guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gears. The missing gears can be hired on this day or on the next morning before leaving for your Kilimanjaro Machame Trekking.
Hotel in Arusha: bed and breakfast included.
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. At the end of the day, diner and overnight at Machame Camp. This first reward is a fabulous view of the Shira peaks and Mount Kibo.
Elevation: 1790 m / 5872 ft to 3010 m / 9875 ft
Distance: 11 km / 7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Our route continues up through the forest, through a valley until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau. There we get rewarded with views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.
Elevation: 3010 m / 9875 ft to 3845 m / 12614
Distance: 6 km / 4 miles
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Meals: included
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.
Elevation: 3845 m / 12614 ft to 3960 m / 12992 ft
Distance: 11 km / 7 miles
Walking Time: 6-7 hours
Meals: included
Our day on Kilimanjaro Machame Route 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.
Elevation: 3960 m / 12992 ft to 3963 m / 13001 ft
Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
Walking Time: 3-4 hours
Meals: included
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 screen 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.
Elevation: 3963 m / 13001 ft to 4640 m / 15223 ft
Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
Walking Time: 3-4 hours
Meals: included
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 screen slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Elevation: 4640 m / 15223 ft to 5895 m / 19340 ft and down to 3890 m / 12762 ft
Distance: 16 km / 9 miles
Walking Time: 12-14 hours
Meals: included
The last day in Kilimanjaro National Park does not require much effort. The path leads steadily downhill through densely overgrown rainforest. When it rains, the clay soil can be slippery. After a fourhour walk downhill, you reach the Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates. At the park gate, our driver will be there to transfer you to the hotel in Arusha.
Elevation: 3890 m / 12762 ft to 1630 m / 5347 ft
Distance: 9 km / 5.6 miles
Walking Time: 3-4 hours
Meals: included
| 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | 6 Pax | 7 Pax | 8 Pax | 9 Pax | 10+ |
| $3750 | $2950 | $2750 | $2650 | $2650 | $2550 | $2550 | $2500 | $2500 | $2450 |
There is not only one single option to trekk to the summit of Kilimanjaro. In total there are 6 optional routes. Please find in the buttons below the information and daily itinerary of the other routes.
