7 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Via Machame Route

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Itinerary Overview

Day 0: Arrival Day and Pre-Trek Briefing

Day 1: Machame Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft)

Machame Camp (3,050m/9,840ft) to Shira Camp (3,850m/12,600ft)

Day 3: Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft) to Barranco Camp (4,000m/12,960ft)

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft)

Day 5 – Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)

Day 6 – Barafu Camp (4,600m to Uhuru Peak (5,895m to Mweka Camp (3,100m

Day 7 – Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft)

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7 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route

The Machame route, also known as the “Whisky Route”, is one of the best to climb Kilimanjaro as it is optimal for acclimatization, allowing the climbers to “walk high and sleep low”, and as a result enjoy one of the highest summit success rates of all the routes to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. It features stunning scenery and a wide range of terrain. The route approaches from the south and has a high success rate, especially for climbers taking the seven-day alternative. Six days are enough but due to acclimatization we suggest our customers choose 7 days With about half of all climbers using it each year. The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the short rains (October and November) or the ‘shoulder season’ (March and June). The peak or dry season (July to the end of September) is extremely busy and cold, and there’s not much snow at all. It also gets dusty and windy during the dry season.


Tour Itinerary

0

Day 0: Arrival Day and Pre-Trek Briefing

Arrival: Optional airport transfers from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport to your hotel in Moshi.
Activity: Pre-trek briefing at your hotel. Arrive at least one day before the trek starts to review your equipment and rent any necessary gear.

01

Day 1: Machame Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft)

A 50Minutes drive from Moshi lays 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 involves real jungle-bashing through magnificent forest. This path is less well-trodden & often wet & muddy underfoot. We camp at Machame camp (3000 m)

  • Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
  • Distance: 11km/7mi
  • Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Montane Forest
  • Meals: Lunch and Dinner

02

Day 2: Machame Camp (3,050m/9,840ft) to Shira Camp (3,850m/12,600ft)

The route continues up through the forest until we are at the steep ascent on the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt. Meru rising high above Arusha town. We camp at Shira camp (3845 m).

  • Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
  • Distance: 5km/3mi
  • Walking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

03

Day 3: Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft) to Barranco Camp (4,000m/12,960ft)

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 at Barranco camp (3900 m). The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600 m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low to avoid altitude sickness by aiding our bodies in acclimatization.

  • Elevation: 3840m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
  • Distance: 10km/6mi
  • Walking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Semi-desert
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

04

Day 4:Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft)

We start the day by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up what has been termed the Breakfast Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It is a climb over rocks, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga Valley (3965 m) overnight.

  • Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
  • Distance: 5km/3mi
  • Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

05

Day 5: – Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)

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, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

  • Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
  • Distance: 4km/2mi
  • Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

06

Day 6: – Barafu Camp (4,600m to Uhuru Peak (5,895m to Mweka Camp (3,100m

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

07

Day 7: – Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft)

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: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
  • Distance: 10km/6mi
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Forest
  • Meals: Breakfast



REQUEST THIS TRIP

Tour Include

  • All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
  • Professional, experienced, mountain guides
  • Guides, Porters, Cook salaries, and park fees
  • Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on a sharing basis)
  • Sleeping Mattress
  • Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
  • All meals while on the Mountain
  • Quality Mess tents with tables and chairs
  • Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
  • 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

Tour Excludes

  • Tanzania Visa
  • International and domestic flights
  • Hotel (available as an optional addon)
  • 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)