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9 Days Machame Route

Overview

Compared to the Marangu route, the Machame route, sometimes known as the “Whisky route,” is more demanding. It is perhaps the most or second-most popular route up Mount Kilimanjaro. There are no overnight huts along the Machame trail. The benefit and strength of Machameares are that the trail’s surroundings provide unparalleled visual splendour. Since the Machame route is shorter, it is ideal for climbers with limited time; otherwise, the longer the route, the greater the success percentage for reaching the summit.
The journey starts at Machame Gate in the mountain’s southwest region. The minimum completion time is six days, while seven days are advised. The descent lies on the southeast side of the mountain, down Mweka. Due to the rise in the west and the descent in the southeast, Machame provides spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. Machamealso gives the chance to explore breathtaking locations such as Shira Plateau, Barranco, and Lava Tower. The Machame route is ideal for individuals who want a more challenging ascent and are capable of hiking for long periods over occasionally steep terrain. Climbers who use Machame put a priority on diverse views, but are also willing to endure considerable traffic.
  • 9 Days / 8 Nights
  • Max People : 14
  • Kilimanjaro
  • Price Includes
    • Meals and drinks according to the itinerary
    • Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
    • Professional, English-speaking guide
    • Mountain crew (cooks and porters)
    • Pre and Post Trek accommodation
    • All government taxes
    • Emergency Evacuation Cover
    • Overnight stays mountain camps
    • All mentioned transfers
    • All national park fees
  • Price Excludes
    • Flights
    • Sleeping bag
    • Alcoholic and soft drinks
    • Visa fees
    • Meals not mentioned above
    • Personal expenses
    • Gratuities or tips for safari mountain crew
    • Travel insurance
    • Optional tours

Tour Plan

01
Day 01 : Arrive at Kilimanjaro Moshi

Upon landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our representative will be there to assist you with your journey to the booked accommodation. The night before the climb, you will have a pre-climb meeting at the hotel to go through logistics and check gear. You will also check to make sure you have the required medical insurance and trip protection in place. He will then go, leaving you to unwind, have dinner, and sleep overnight.

02
Day 02: Machame gate to Machame camp

Departing from Moshi, a 45-minute drive will take you through the village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. You will have to be patient while we wait for our permits and watch the busy operations as many crews get ready for the trip ahead.

As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp. At some sections, the trail can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are good to bring. Dinner and overnight stay at Machame Camp

  • Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft
  • Distance: 11 km
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest
03
Day 03: Machame camp to Shira camp

The third day begins with a substantial breakfast and travels through progressively fewer trees and shrubs as it enters the moorlands after a restful night’s sleep. Shira Camp, which is located on a tiny plateau in the high moorlands and offers views of Mount Meru to the west and Kibo to the northeast, marks the end of the day. All day long, white-necked ravens may be spotted. The Shira Caverns are a collection of little caves that are close to the campground. The route now takes a river gorge to the west, where it continues until we reach the Shira campground. The temperature begins to drop.

  • Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft
  • Distance: 5 km
  • Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
  • Habitat: Heath  
04
Day 04: Shira camp to lava tower & back to Barranco camp

Today’s itinerary takes an eastward detour through a stony and semi-desert area that encircles Lava Tower. Before climbing the rough road to Lava Tower, lunch will be provided at a designated location. Once you reach the high altitude of 4600 m at Lava Tower after continuing your descent to the Barranco camping area after lunch, you will begin to experience the benefits of acclimatisation. The two-hour descent to Barranco Camp provides several opportunities to get stunning pictures of the Western Breach and Breach Wall.

This day is crucial for acclimatisation even if you conclude it at a similar height to where you started. From Shira Plateau, we ascend a ridge to the east, past the turnoff for Kibo Peak, and then go to the Lava Tower to the southeast.

  • Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
  • Distance: 7 km
  • Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert/Moorland
05
Day 05: Barranco camp to Karanga camp

The first thing we do is go down into a gorge to the foot of the Great Barranco Wall. The next step is to scale the non-technical but still somewhat steep (about 900 feet) cliff. As we leave the Barranco Wall behind, we’ll be traversing a succession of hills and valleys before dropping precipitously into Karanga Valley. Our last ascent to Karanga Camp is equally challenging. It’s an acclimatisation day, therefore it’s shorter.

  • Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
  • Distance: 5 km
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert
06
Day 06: Karanga camp to Barafu camp

Once we reach the intersection of the Mweka Trail, we will have completed our journey from Karanga. Moving further, we will reach the rocky part leading to Barafu Hut. You’ve just finished the Southern Circuit, which gives you a wide range of perspectives of the peak. Here we set up camp, get some much-needed rest, and have an early supper before heading to the top the next day. From their respective heights, both Mawenzi and Kibo provide stunning panoramas of the peak.

  • Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
  • Distance: 4 km
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert
07
Day 07: Barafu camp to Uhuru peak & back to Mweka

We start our ascent at the crack of dawn (about midnight). This section of the journey presents the most significant test of your willpower and stamina. At this altitude and time of day, the wind and cold may be rather severe. Between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, we continue our ascent to the peak, layering up against the cold and visualising the incredible feeling of achievement that awaits us at the top. For many hours, we climb throughout the night, often pausing for brief rests. The dawn above Mawenzi Peak from near Stella Point (18,900 ft) is among the most spectacular sights you’ll ever witness. Early risers on the trail can be rewarded with a sunrise atop the mountain. We’ve reached the summit of Uhuru Peak on Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak.

“Congratulations! One step at a time, you have now reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!”

We break for lunch at Barafu and then continue our trek straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite. The terrain is quite rough and may be difficult on the knees; bring walking poles. Due to its location in the higher forest, Mweka Camp often experiences mist or light rain in the late afternoon. When night falls, we have our final meal on the mountain and turn in for a restful night’s sleep.

  • Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
  • Distance: 5 km
  • Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
  • Habitat: Arctic
  • Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
  • Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
  • Distance: 12 km
  • Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
  • Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
08
Day 08: Mweka camp to Mweka gate

It’s time to part ways with the group after a touching farewell meal and a ceremony of thanks and team building. Since you are departing today, it is important to leave gratuities for your guides, chefs, and porters. Next, we’ll go back down to Mweka Gate to pick up your summit certificates. Gaiters and trekking poles are essential due to the slick, muddy, and steep terrain caused by the recent weather change. Once we get through the gate, we’ll travel for another hour before reaching Mweka Village. You will be met in Mweka Village by a vehicle that will take you to your Moshi, Tanzania, accommodation. Take that nice shower, eat that delicious meal, and celebrate like it’s been ages!

  • Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
  • Distance: 10 km
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Rain Forest
09
Day 09: Moshi to Kilimanjaro airport or to Safari destinations

After breakfast, you will be transported to Kilimanjaro Airport. If you would rather prolong your stay in Tanzania, you may either embark on a wildlife safari or have a beach vacation in Zanzibar.

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