Machame route is the second most popular route on kilimanjaro also nicknamed “whisky” suggesting its interesting hardship, though rocky with steep ascents most of the ways, it gives the chances for acclimatization by ascending on higher attitude and sleeping on the lower attitude, which guarantees the summit success rate.

  • Price for 6 Days Machame Route Trek
  • No. of people 1 pax 2 pax 3 pax 4 pax 5 pax 6 pax and above
    Price Pp $1800.00 $1780.00 $1765.00 $1750.00 $1740.00 Ask for quote
  • Itinerary
  • DAY 01: Machame Gate to Machame Camp Elevation (m): 1830m to 3100m Elevation (ft): 6000ft to 10,200ft
  • Distance: 18km
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
  • Habitat: Montane Forest

The drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about one and half hours. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here.

We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

  • Machame Camp to Shira Camp Elevation
  • DAY 02: Machame Camp to Shira Camp Elevation (m): 3100m to 3840m Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 12,600ft
  • Distance: 9km Walking
  • Time: 4-6 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge.

Dinner and overnight at the camp

  • Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp Elevation
  • DAY 03: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp Elevation (m): 3840m to 4630m to 3860m Elevation (ft): 12,600ft to 12,700ft
  • Distance: 11km Walking
  • Time: 5-7 hours
  • Habitat: Low Alpine Zone

Day three is a long and tough trek East off the Shira Plateau through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’, up to Lava Tower and the Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters and then back down via the Southern Circuit (see map above) to Barranco Camp (3,900 meters). The route is approximately 11km / 7 miles in length and takes 5-7 hours to complete. Although you end the day at a very similar elevation to when you started from Shira Camp, it is arguably one of the most important days on your trek as it gives you a chance to climb high and sleep low which is important for proper acclimatization.

  • Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
  • Elevation (m): 3860m to 4600m
  • Elevation (ft): 12,700ft to 15,100ft
  • Distance: 13km Hiking Time: 8 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (lunch at 4200m), and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut.

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. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

  • Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
  • Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m)
  • Elevation (ft): 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft)
  • Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent
  • Hiking
  • Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), 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 (5685m), 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 may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch.

You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. DAY 06: Mweka Camp to Arusha Elevation (m): 3100m to 1830m Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 6000ft Distance: 15 km Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Forest 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). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you to the Hotel in Arusha for dinner and overnight.

  • Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate
  • Elevation (ft): 10171ft to 5381ft)
  • Distance: 9km ascent
  • HikingTime:3-5 hours

Day six is the final day of trekking on the Machame Route. By now you will be exhausted and probably only thinking about a hot shower. The trek is a pleasant one through the lower rain-forested slopes and down to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). Although you cover 9km / 5.5 miles, the trek only takes 3-4 hours. Assuming you successfully reach Stella Point or Uhuru Peak you will be presented with official certificates – a green certificate for the former and a gold certificate for the latter. It is customary to tip your trekking crew before being transported back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

  • Price above includes
  • All park fees including rescue fee
  • All meals and accommodation during the trek
  • Crew allowances
  • Transfer to and from the gate
  • Camping equipment i.e. tents, tables and Chairs
  • Flying Doctor Services
  • Price above exclude
  • Flights, passport and visa.
  • Items of a personal nature i.e. sleeping bags, snacks, etc.
  • Compulsory tips for guides, porters and cook
  • Accommodations before during and after the climb

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