About Machame Route
Machame, known as the "Whiskey" route, is now the most popular route on the Mountainn. Compared with Marangu, the days on Machame are longer and the walks are steeper. It is considered a difficult route, better suited for more adventurous folks, and those with some hiking or backpacking experience. The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although seven days is recommended. Climbers sleep in supplied tents at designated campsites and eat meals either outdoors or inside a large dining tent. The staff prepares all meals and sets up tents. The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. Machame approaches from the southwest and descends using Mweka, 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 Icefield.
About 7-Days Machame Route Climbing Tour
The Machame Route is another popular trekking route on Mount Kilimanjaro, known for its scenic beauty and diverse landscapes. It's often referred to as the "Whiskey" route and is considered more challenging than the Marangu Route. This 7-day Machame Route Kilimanjaro climbing tour allows for a slightly longer and more gradual ascent, increasing acclimatization and improving your chances of reaching the summit. Here's an overview of what you can expect from a typical 7-day Machame Route tour package:
7-days Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour Itinerary
Arrival Day Arrival and pick Up with Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive atleast one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend in having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.
Day 1 Machame Hut Camp
Pick you up from your hotel in Moshi / Arusha and drive for 1 hour to Machame gate (10,000ft) for registration, and meet the rest of the crew (Cooks and Porters) ready for the climb. We will start the climb through the rainforest and the giant heathers for 6 hrs to our first overnight camp.
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3000m/9950ft
- Distance: 11km/7m
- Hiking time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
Day 2 Shira Camp
Short day but rather steep rocky and dusty trails. It's a slow hike with plenty of breaks and enough time to acclimatize. Most of the route is rather bare of vegetation providing little shade from the heat. You will cross many ridges and see the first of many species.
- Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Hiking time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
Day 3 Shira Camp - Barranco Camp
Start with climbing over boulders and very few rocks, then steady uphill climb to Lava tower and stop for lunch around noon. For those interested, we may climb up the Lava tower which is 14850ft (You may start to get a mild headache due to altitude change). From Lava Tower, we will go down for about 2 hrs through dusty and rocky trails to the Barranco Camp at 13000ft.
- Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Walking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
Day 4 Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp
After spending a night at the great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the Karanga camp.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 5 Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp
Breakfast at Karanga camp and after breakfast turn left up the ridge and the route ascends 640m towards Barafu Camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge.
Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1214m higher and you will commence with your final ascent attempt, the same night. Prepare your equipment, hiking poles and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed as early as possible and try to get some precious rest and sleep.
- Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 4km/2mi
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 6 Summit Attempt - Mweka
You will get up around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers, the 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5739m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).
From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to get going again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life! The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3090m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared.
- 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
- Vegetation: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Day 7 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
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).
- Elevation: 3100m to 1830m, 10,200ft to 6000ft
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours
- Vegetation: Forest
Pricing Table For This Tour
| Solo Trekker | 2-4 people | 5-7 People | 8-10 People | 11-Above People |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1950 | $1830 | $1750 | $1680 | $1635 |
Machame Route Map
Price Includes & Excludes 7-Day Machame Route Climbing Tour
Price Includes
- All transfers to the Mountainn and back to your Moshi hotel
- Professional, experienced, Mountainn guides
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- All meals while on the Mountainn
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- 2 nights hotel before and After climbing
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
Prices Excludes
- Tanzania Visa
- International and domestic flights
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
