7 DAYS CLIMBING KILIMANJARO – MACHAME ROUTE
The Machame route, known as the “Whiskey Route” is famous for its diversity of landscapes and high success rate. Starting at the Machame Gate (1,815 m), the route ascends through a lush tropical forest before reaching the Shira Plateau. Along the way, climbers experience a variety of terrains including volcanic rock, tall grasses, and the iconic Barranco Wall, making each day’s trek uniquely challenging and scenic.
The trek continues across beautiful landmarks and changes in vegetation, with nights spent at designated camps like Shira, Barranco, and Barafu before the final ascent to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters. The descent follows the Mweka route, offering a softer and quicker path back to the gate.
Preparation and Fitness: Climbing Kilimanjaro via the Machame route takes physical readiness due to varied terrain and altitude changes. On average, climbers trek six to seven hours per day. Being in good physical condition, engaging in pre-climb training such as hiking and aerobic exercises, and taking time to acclimatize are crucial for a successful summit attempt.
What’s included :
- Professional and experienced mountain guides (3 clients per 2 guides ratio), first aid rescuers, and a supportive crew including porters and a cook.
- Full board accommodation in tents with essentials like hot water for washing and an oxygen tank for emergencies.
- All transfers, including airport pick-ups and drop-offs, and park entrance fees.
Additional Tips :
- Slow pacing and adequate hydration are key to adapting to altitude changes.
- Consider an extra day for better acclimatization to reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Kimgoni Tanzania ensures a memorable and well-supported trek with health checks and high-quality meals provided throughout the journey. Once you confirm your booking, a comprehensive trip preparation guide will be provided.
For more advice on preparing for the Machame route or to discuss your trekking plans, feel free to contact us .
| 2 ADULTS | 4 818 $ |
| 4 ADULTS | 8 149 $ |
| 6 ADULTS | 11 433 $ |
| 8 ADULTS | 13 546 $ |
You will need to bring equipment
1. Walking sticks
2. Sunglasses
3. Sunscreen
4. Head Lamp
5. Camera (optional)
6. Mountain hiking clothing (cold and rain); these should include walking t-shirt, ski pants, jackets, walking hut …
7. Trekking – wake-up boots and pairs of warm socks.
8. Water Treatment Pills
9. Tablets against mountain diseases
10. Camel Bag
DAY 0. ARUSHA, Arrival JRO
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and after completing all airport formalities, you will meet our driver-guide for greetings and safari briefing. Then you will be transferred to Arusha for dinner and overnight at Dan Stam Hotel.
www.danstamhotel.com
Buddy meal. hot dinner
DAY 01. Machame Gate, 1815 m – Machame Camp, 3,000 m.
You will be picked up from hotel in Arusha at around 8:30 AM and then transfer to Machame gate. Today you begin your trek from Machame park entrance gate, through a dense forest of fig and rubber trees, begonia flowers and other tropical vegetation.
A walk of about two to three hours will take you to this evening’s campsite. As you continue your ascent, you will find that the tropical forest has given way to tall grasses and giant heather.
Watch your steps as you walk on a ridge, to the left of which is the Semira stream and on the right, the Weru Weru. Depending on the pace of climbers, arrival at Machame Camp is usually between 5 and 6 p.m. Tranquil and relatively easy are the words which best describe the initial stage of this climb. Take time to admire the beauty of the rainforest. Your guides are very knowledgeable about the botany in this area and listening to them will make the walk all the more interesting and
rewarding.
DAY 02. Machame Camp – Shira Plateau (3,840 m).
Enjoy the fabulous view of Uhuru Peak as it greets you this morning. Today’s trek takes you up a steeptrack through a savannah of tall grasses, volcanic rock and bearded heather. You will encounter giant
groundsels as you hike through an ethereal landscape of volcanic lava, caves and foaming streams. A trek of approximately six hours will take you to your next campsite; you should arrive between 2 and 3p.m. Most climbers tend to pace themselves, walking slowly, sipping at their water bottles and resting about every half-hour.
DAY 03. Shira Plateau – Barranco Camp (3,950 m)
On your 6 a.m. wake-up call today, you will find the entire Shira Plateau at your feet, with sweeping views across to Mount Meru and the Shira Needles. A steady walk takes you up to the pass at Lava Tower (15,000 ft), where you will stop to have lunch. After crossing the Bastains stream, you begin the descent towards Barranco Camp. Grand Barranco is an immense canyon. Numerous waterfalls, which are fed by streams coming from the mountain, converge here to form the Umbwe River. Your camp is set at almost the same altitude as on the previous night. Today’s trek lasts for about six hours and arrival at campis between 4.30 and 5.30 p.m.
DAY 04. Barranco Camp – Karanga camp
Today’s trek is short, 3 – 4 hours, starts with a scramble up the steep “Barrango Wall” and then cross the famous Karanga valley before stopping at Karanga hut, 4,040 meters above mean sea level. You will spend the night at this high altitude and get acclimatized, get ready for the task ahead.
DAY 05. Karanga – Barafu Camp (4,630 m)
The day begins with a trek on a stead up-hill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting as a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight. Eat and drink as much as possible before retiring to your tent for rest and sleep.
DAY 06. Ascend to the summit (5,895 m) / Descend to Mweka Camp (3,110 m)
It is at this stage that the climb becomes much more difficult and hikers should carry as little as possible for this stage which starts at midnight. Temperatures range from -4 degrees to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Climbing steadily, flanked by the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers, for about six hours will bring you totheedge of the crater between Stella and Hans Meyer points. Another hour of climbing brings you to the summit.
Concentrate on your feet, and follow your guide very closely for this section of the journey–the track around the edge of the crater is rocky and icy. Uhuru towers at 19,340 ft and is the highest point on the continent of Africa – and this is where you now stand! Relax and partake of refreshment at Kibo Hut before continuing on to Mweka Camp for the night. Arriving into camp at around 5 p.m. you will look back and realize that, today, you have trekked a total of thirteen hours!
DAY 07: Mweka camp – Mweka gate (1,830)
Congratulate yourself today on your great achievement! The descent to the gate takes approximately five hours and climbers usually arrive before noon. Upon arrival at the gate, you will be rewarded with a certificate attesting your success at conquering Mount. After that you will be transferred to Arusha for dinner and overnight at Dan Stam Hotel
www.danstamhotel.com
Meal Plan Include: Dinner Only
DAY 09. DEPARTURE
You will have the morning breakfast at the hotel, after the breakfast, you will collect your entire luggageand meet our driver guide at the hotel reception hall, then you will board the safari vehicle and you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight departure back to home depending on your flight schedule
Meal Plan Include: Dinner & Breakfast Only