Overview
- Duration: 6 days
- Tour Type: Group tour
- Group size: 2+ peoples
- Live guide: English, Francais
This tour, also referred to as the whiskey route, is rightly regarded as the most beautiful on Kilimanjaro. It is particularly varied in landscape and offers great views of Mount Meru and the Kibo. Next to the Marangu route, it is the most popular route on the mountain.
The varied height profile allows for good acclimatization, the number of summit successes is therefore high. However, the route is steeper and at the Barranco Wall a simple climbing passage has to be overcome.
The route requires you to be in good condition and is less suitable for inexperienced mountain walkers than the Marangu route. Accommodation is at camping sites in tents. The descent is via the Mweka route.
The Machame route is recommended by us as a 7-day tour. This includes an additional acclimatization day, which significantly increases the success to reach the summit. For experienced and very fit mountain hikers, a 6 Day tour is also suitable. The fourth day of the shortened tour walks directly from the Barranco Camp to the Barafu Camp, as the intermediate stage over the Karanga Camp is omitted.
Highlights:
Most scenic route at Kilimanjaro
Climbing passage in the Barranco Wall, surefootedness required
Ascent over the Machame route and descent over the Mweka route
Height profile has a positive effect on acclimatization
Total distance about 65 km
Daily Stages / Walking Times:
| Day | Overnight stays in Tents | Hours | Kilometers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Machame Gate (1790 m) - Machame Camp (3010 m) | 5-6 h | 9 |
| 2 | Machame Camp (3010 m) - New Shira Camp (3845 m) | 4-6 h | 7 |
| 3 | New Shira Camp (3845 m) - Lava Tower (4640 m) - Barranco Camp (3960 m) | 6 -7 h | 10 |
| 4 | Barranco Camp (3960 m) - Barafu Camp (4640 m) | 6-8 h | 10 |
| 4 | Barafu Camp (4640 m) - Uhuru Peak (5895 m) - Mweka Camp (3080 m) | 10-14 h | 19 |
| 4 | Mweka Camp (3080 m) - Mweka Gate (1630 m) | 2-3 h | 10 |
Tour Plan
Pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi Town for Overnight at Kaliwa Lodge / The Maridadi Hotel / Lindrin Lodge - (BB) .
After breakfast, meet your Guide for a General Briefing for your upcoming tour (including equipment check), the drive first goes to the National Park gate, which takes about an hour. While your guide does the necessary formalities, you can relax and watch the various mountain teams in their preparation.
As soon as everything is done, your adventure begins. In short time you will be immersed in the magnificent mountain forest with its huge jungle trees, ferns, moss carpets and lianas. With luck, you will observe the black and white colobus monkeys in the tree tops. After about 5 - 6 hours, you will reach the day's destination - Machame Camp. This is just above the tree line at about 3010 meters above sea level. After dinner, you will spend your first night on Kilimanjaro.
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner at Machame Camp
.
After an early start, you will begin the day’s walk-through heath and moorland before the trail becomes steeper and the landscape more open. Soon you will glimpse the summit region of Kilimanjaro. Today's stage is shorter and you will soon arrive at the New Shira Camp, where the view of Kilimanjaro with its rock faces and hanging glaciers is something you should not miss – particularly at sunset. An early night will be needed tonight as tomorrow the trail becomes more strenuous.
Meal Plan: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner at New Shira Camp.
Today you will ascend approx. 800 meters, but the night is spent only slightly higher than the previous night at Shira Camp. This allows your body a better acclimatization for the further climb. The hike begins with a long ascent over the Shira Plateau to the Lava Tower. Here the vegetation becomes barren and turns into an alpine desert landscape. The path then leads through the extensive Barranco Valley, with its lobelias and the huge senecios. After approximately 6-7 hours you will reach the Barranco Camp, which many claims is the most beautiful camp on the mountain.
Meal Plan: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner at Barranco Camp
.
Today we will lead you through the Barranco Wall and it is another day to help with acclimatization. The climbing is relatively easy, although sometimes you need to use hands to hold on. Enjoy the amazing view; you will skip Karanga camp to the Barafu Camp. The hike leads you through a barren landscape. For the rest of the day you can relax because tomorrow is summit day! After dinner, we will have a very early bedtime as tomorrow will beexciting, but also exhausting and very long. Try to sleep a bit!
Meal Plan: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner at Barafu Camp
.
You will be woken around midnight. To strengthen yourself, you will first have a hot coffee or tea and a small snack. Using the light of your headlight, the next few hours are steadily upwards. After approximately 5-7 hours, in the early morning light, you will reach the crater rim at the Stella Point. After a short rest you will continue for about an hour to the highest point, the Uhuru Peak. Finally, it is done, and the rewards are fantastic views in all directions. The shadow that the Kilimanjaro casts over Mount Meru in the morning is a special experience. After you have enjoyed the summit, and taken a few memorable photos, it is time for the descent. At the Barafu Camp you have a short rest, where your mountain team will greet you with a hot drink and snacks. Afterwards, you will slowly go to Mweka Camp, where you will spend the last night at the mountain.
Meal Plan: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner at Mweka Camp.
After breakfast, and strengthened by the increasingly oxygen dense air, you will begin a leisurely walk towards the Mweka Gate. The trail continues through the dense rainforest, and after about 2-3 hours you will reach the gate. At this point it will be time to say goodbye to your team. Once you arrive at the hotel, you can finally enjoy a well-deserved shower and celebrate your summit success.
Dinner and Overnight at Kaliwa Lodge / The Maridadi Hotel / Lindrin Lodge - (HB)
.
After breakfast, transfer to the Kilimanjaro International Airport for your Departure flight back home.
Price for the Above Itinerary:
1 Pax - 6 Days USD 2,778 Per Single Person
2 Pax - 6 Days USD 2,361 Per Person
3-4 Pax - 6 Days USD 2,113 Per Person
5-6 Pax - 6 Days USD 2,066 Per Person
NB: For a Group of above 7 Pax, please request for a Quote.
Included
- Return Airport Transfers (Kilimanjaro International Airport)
- Mountain Crew (Cook, Guide, Asst Guide and Porters)
- Pre and Post Accommodation in Arusha Town
- Overnight stays in Tents
- Professional, English-Speaking Mountain Guide
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking Water, Tea & Coffee
- All National Park Fees
- Pick up and Drop off at the Base Hotel / Lodge in Arusha Town
Excluded
- Alcohol and Soft Drinks
- Sleeping Bags (Available for Hire)
- International Flights
- Visa Fees
- Tips for the Mountain Crew
- Personal Expenditure
- Travel Insurance
Have a question before booking? Message us to learn more.
You might also like...
