Overview
We invite you to climb the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro via the scenic Machame route. For 7 days, you’ll hike on steep scree slopes while enjoying incredible views of the neighboring peaks and also get to sleep in tents for a complete mountain experience! Also known as the Whiskey route, the Machame route is a challenging route popular among many climbers.
The journey will begin at Machame gate. Located at the southern base of the mountain, the gate leads onto a lush rainforest. The trail further leads onto Shira Plateau, before winding along the southern circuit, offering spectacular views all along. As you’ll rise, you’ll see a dramatic shift in the landscape with rainforest giving way to moorland. We’ll climb up the Great Barranco Wall and pass underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers to reach the Karanga Camp. At the camp, you’ll have ample time for acclimatization, so you don’t have to worry.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania
We will transfer you from Kilimanjaro Airport to your hotel in Moshi, Kilimanjaro. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel or exploring the town of Moshi. We will brief you about the trek in the evening.
- Overnight at Chanya Lodge
Day 2: Machame Gate( 1790 m) to Machame Camp(3010 m)
A drive of 1-hour will take us from Moshi to Machame gate, where after completing the park formalities, we’ll begin to climb! The initial trail passes through dense rainforest and includes some wet and muddy patches.
- Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
- Approx. time: 6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Machame Camp (3010 m) to Shira Camp
We’ll continue up the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, from where you’ll get to see spectacular views of the mountain. You’ll see clear vistas of Mt Meru rising high above the town of Arusha.
- Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi
- Approx. time: 5 hours
- Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 4: Shira Cave( 3845 m) to Barranco Camp ( 3960 m)
You’ll see a dramatic shift in the landscape with forest giving way to moorland. We’ll traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower, and cross the final section of the Western Breach to finally reach Barranco camp.
- Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
- Approx. time: 8 hours
- Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3960M) to Karanga Camp ( 3963 m)
We’ll climb the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a bit of a strenuous climb over the rock but is not technical. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. Ascending up from Karanga valley, we’ll continue until we reach the Karanga camp (3963m). Here, we can also choose a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before returning back to camp for the night.
- Distance covered: 5.5km / 3.4mi
- Approx. time: 5 hours
- Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 6: Karanga Camp ( 3963 M) to Barafu Camp( 4640 m)
We’ll set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. Ascending scree slopes, we’ll arrive at the camp and spend the afternoon resting and preparing for the summit hike the next day.
- Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
- Approx. time: 3 hours
- Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 7: Barafu Camp ( 4640 M) to Uhuru Peak( 5895 M) & Down to Millennium Camp
We begin at around midnight and climb the summit glaciers. Ascending on scree slopes for about 4 to 5 hours, we’ll reach the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) to see a beautiful sunrise. You’ll see stunning views of the Mawenzi peak from here. Continuing further for about an hour, we’ll get to Uhuru Peak (5895m). We’ll descend via the same route to reach Millennium Camp.
- Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi
- Approx. time: 12 – 15 hours
- Meals: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 8: Descend from Millennium Camp (3790M) to Mweka Gate (1630M)
We’ll descend via the rainforest to get to Mweka Gate, and you will be transferred to your hotel in Moshi.
- Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi
- Approx. time: 6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 9: Departure
Say goodbye to Tanzania with some incredible memories.
- Meals: Breakfast
