Trek Machame via Machame Route
Arusha,Tanzania
Duration
6 Days 5 Nights TripTour Code
TP1007Description
Nicknamed the "Whiskey" route because the route is popularized as somewhat difficult and more expensive than Marangu route. On an overall comparison of the routes to scale Kilimanjaro, this is one of the best routes to take, both in terms of acclimatization and cost. The Machame route is considered a difficult route, and is better suited for more adventurous trekkers and those with some hiking or backpacking experience. The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. However, due to its popularity there are increased numbers of trekkers, it loses some of its splendour. The Machame route approaches the summit from the southwest and descends using the Mweka route, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco wall, and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field. In certain sections this route is steeper than the Marangu and Rongai routes and physically more demanding but is easier overall. Great for acclimatization with lots of walk high, sleep low opportunities. Challenging trek with stunning scenery through 5 diverse climatic zones. Good opportunity to split pre-summit day climb to leave climbers rested before summiting. Very popular trail.
Highlights
- Challenging trek with stunning scenery through 5 diverse climatic zones. Good opportunity to split pre-summit day climb to leave climbers rested before summiting. Very popular trail.
Included
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food Kilimanjaro summit certificate Sleeping Mattress Emergency Oxygen Cylinder Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees) Professional, experienced, mountain guides Quality Mess tents with table and chairs All meals while on the Mountain Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel Rescue fees (part of park fees) Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis) VAT (18% charged by the Government) Clean, purified drinking water Conservation fees (part of park fees)
Not Included
- Travel insurance Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment) Hotel (available as an optional addon) Transfers (available as an optional addon) Tanzania Visa Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting) Meals not listed in the itinerary Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.) Liquors, beers and bottled beverages Tips and gratuities International and domestic flights
Itinerary
Day 1
- Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate takes about 45 minutes.
- The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
- We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge.
- At lower elevations the trail can be muddy and slippery.
- Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here.
- We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft Distance: 11km/7mi Hiking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Montane Forest Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2
- After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge.
- The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.
- Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft Distance: 5km/3mi Walking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Moorland Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3
- From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo.
- As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft).
- Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier.
- We now continue down to the Barranco Camp.
- Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
- Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft Distance: 10km/6mi Walking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Semi-desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4
- After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elev 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
- We continue up to the Barafu Camp.
- You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.
- Here we make camp with views of the summit in the distance.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft Distance: 9km/6mi Hiking Time: 6-8 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5
- Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.
- You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim.
- This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
- At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see.
- Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
- From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.
- Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch.
- You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down.
- We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
- Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3090m/10,150ft Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6
- After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates.
- At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy.
- Gaiters and trekking poles will help.
- Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
- Kilimanjaro Adventures vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft Distance: 10km/6mi Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Forest Meals: Breakfast
Day 7
- Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate takes about 45 minutes.
- The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
- We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge.
- At lower elevations the trail can be muddy and slippery.
- Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here.
- We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft Distance: 11km/7mi Hiking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Montane Forest Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 8
- After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge.
- The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.
- Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft Distance: 5km/3mi Walking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Moorland Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9
- From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo.
- As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft).
- Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier.
- We now continue down to the Barranco Camp.
- Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
- Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft Distance: 10km/6mi Walking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Semi-desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10
- After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elev 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
- We continue up to the Barafu Camp.
- You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.
- Here we make camp with views of the summit in the distance.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft Distance: 9km/6mi Hiking Time: 6-8 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11
- Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.
- You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim.
- This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
- At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see.
- Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
- From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.
- Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch.
- You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down.
- We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
- Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3090m/10,150ft Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12
- After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates.
- At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy.
- Gaiters and trekking poles will help.
- Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
- Kilimanjaro Adventures vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft Distance: 10km/6mi Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Forest Meals: Breakfast
Day 13
- Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate takes about 45 minutes.
- The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
- We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge.
- At lower elevations the trail can be muddy and slippery.
- Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here.
- We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft Distance: 11km/7mi Hiking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Montane Forest Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 14
- After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge.
- The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.
- Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft Distance: 5km/3mi Walking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Moorland Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 15
- From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo.
- As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft).
- Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier.
- We now continue down to the Barranco Camp.
- Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
- Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft Distance: 10km/6mi Walking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Semi-desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 16
- After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elev 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
- We continue up to the Barafu Camp.
- You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.
- Here we make camp with views of the summit in the distance.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft Distance: 9km/6mi Hiking Time: 6-8 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 17
- Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers.
- You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim.
- This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
- At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see.
- Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
- From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.
- Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch.
- You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down.
- We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
- Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3090m/10,150ft Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 18
- After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates.
- At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy.
- Gaiters and trekking poles will help.
- Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
- Kilimanjaro Adventures vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft Distance: 10km/6mi Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Forest Meals: Breakfast
Faq's
There are seven primary routes up Kilimanjaro. None of them require technical climbing, but they all demand that you are in excellent shape and have a strong will to keep hiking over rugged terrain.
The seven Mount Kilimanjaro climbing routes vary not only in length, cost and scenery. They also have different difficulty levels and different success rates.
Deciding the route to take is importantin preparing for a memorable trek on Kilimanjaro.
None of the 7 routes can be singled out to be the best route because of the following factors: The time and money you have available, previous experience and fitness, the time of the year, personal taste of choice.
Let’s look at the individual Kilimanjaro climbing routes and who they are suitable for:
The Marangu Route: the only Kilimanjaro climb route that offers hut accommodation.
The Machame Route: the most popular climbing route up Kilimanjaro.
The Rongai Route: the easiest route on Kilimanjaro.
The Shira Route: this one catapults you to some serious altitude on the first day.
The Lemosho Route: hands down the most beautiful Kilimanjaro climb route, but expensive.
The Umbwe Route: the most difficult and demanding route on Kilimanjaro, and the most spectacular.
TheNorthern Circuit route: is the newest, most exciting route on Kilimanjaro.
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