Overview
The second most popular option among the routes on Kilimanjaro is the Machame route, also known as “the Whiskey Route”. This route offers a wide variety of views, landscapes and experiences. 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 favourably located for a smooth and gradual acclimatization transition process. On the 3rd day Machame Route converges with Lemosho and Umbwe at Barranco camp.
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport
After arriving at the Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. Later on, your guide will come to brief you about the trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear.
Day 1 - Machame Gate (1800m) to Machame Camp (2835m)
Distance covered: 11 km
Approximate time taken: 7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
After breakfast you will be picked up at the hotel around 8:00 am and transferred to Machame gate. On the way you will see coffee and banana plantations grown by Chagga people. After arriving at Machame gate you will go through some park formalities such as registration then you will start your Mount Kilimanjaro climbing at the Machame gate. Your first day hike is through a tropical rain forest up to Machame camp (2835 m). On the route you will have a picnic lunch. Overnight at Machame camp.
Day 2 - Machame Camp (2835m) to Shira Cave Camp (3750m)
Distance covered: 5 km
Approximate time taken: 3 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
You start to hike around 8:00 am. You will climb for an hour to the top of the forest and then 1 hour at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch (snacks) and break, you continue up a rocky ridge, the Shira plateau. At this point you will be able to see an eastern direction, the western breach with its stunning glacier. Overnight at Shira Campsite (3750m).
Day 3 - Shira Cave Camp (3750m) to Barranco camp (3900m)
Distance covered: 10 km
Approximate time taken: 6 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
To take advantage of acclimatization, we will hike to high altitude and then descend to a lower altitude. The trek will take us into the alpine desert up to lava tower (4600 m) before descending to Baranco Camp (3900 m). This descent to Barranco Camp takes about 3 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful pictures of the Western Breach and Barranco wall. The campsite is situated in a valley below the Barranco wall which should provide you with a memorable sunset while waiting for dinner. Overnight at Barranco Camp (3900 m).
Day 4 - Barranco Camp (3900m) to Karanga Camp (4000m)
Distance covered: 6 km
Approximate time taken: 4 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
After breakfast we continue up a steep ridge to the great Barranco wall, then you climb this imposing obstacle which turns out to be easier than it looks. Topping out just below the item 6 lacer you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. With Kibo glaciers soaring overhead, you descend into the lush Karanga Valley camp site. From the camp you can look east and see the jugged peaks of Mawenzi. After a hot lunch in camp, your afternoon is at leisure for resting. This short day is very important for your acclimatization since your summit push is about to start.
Day 5 - Karanga Camp (4000m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
Distance covered: 4 km
Approximate time taken: 3 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
After breakfast you will start hiking to Barafu Camp (4640 m). On the way you will have a good view of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. After arriving at the campsite, we have lunch and a long rest waiting for a long night and a day ahead. Dinner will be early and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up around midnight to start climbing to the summit.
Day 6 - Barafu Camp (4637m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) then down to Millennium Camp (3950m)
Distance covered: 15 km
Approximate time taken: 12-15 hours
Habitat: Glacier/Moorland
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
We will wake up very early, at around 00:00, some light tea with cookies will be ready for you. We will climb scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The view is spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella point (5756 m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Then it will take us 1 hour from Stella point to Uhuru peak (5895m) where you take some photos for a few minutes before we start descending to Barafu Camp for lunch and some rest, and then walk down to Millennium Camp (3950m) for dinner and overnight.
Day 7 - Millennium Camp (3950m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
Distance covered: 14 km
Approximate time taken: 6 hours
Habitat: Moorland/Rainforest
Meal: Breakfast, and lunch included
After breakfast you continue the final descend, it’s a couple of hours further now from Millennium Campsite to Mweka Gate, where you will collect your certificates. After completing park formalities and receiving the certificates, a private car will take you back to your hotel where you can have a warm shower. It’s definitely time to celebrate!
Then - Depart Tanzania/ other destination in Tanzania.
Later in the evening or the next day you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to board your home-bound flight. Also, we can organize an affordable safari trip to one of the best wildlife parks in Tanzania such as Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti National Park.