6 Days Kilimanjaro
Machame Route
Overview
The Machame route also referred to as the Whiskey route, is one of the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro. The Machame route has one of the best summit success percentages despite being a more difficult climb than the Marangu route because of the geography, which enables climbers to “hike high & sleep low” and is therefore better for acclimatization. The Machame route has steeper pathways and requires climbers to trek farther than the Marangu Route, which is a moderate ascent. On the mountain, this route offers some of the most breathtaking sights. The Machame route starts on the southwest side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Lemosho routes at the Shira camp. The Machame route can be done in the minimum of 6 days but a 7-day trek.
Itinerary
Mountain Outline
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day
The Machame route’s entrance is just one hour’s drive from Moshi where we complete park formalities. Then proceed a 6 hours (10.8km) ascending through the rainforest to Machmae camp (3010) for overnight stay.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
After breakfast continues 5 hours (5.4km) hiking through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto 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 in the distance. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
It is an 8 hours (9km) hike that takes you to the moorland after breakfast; 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 (3900m) for dinner and overnight stay.
Leave slowly early in the morning crossing the floor of the great Barranco Valley and up the Barranco wall; continue the trek on the South Circuit path through the Karanga Valley which is the last water point before the summit. Then slowly trek (7-8 hours) to Barafu Hut (4600m). Barafu Hut is situated on an exposed and dangerous ridge, so it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark. We will have our dinner, rest and prepare for summit night.
Around midnight, we set out on a difficult ascent to the summit glaciers. We will spend 4 to 5 hours ascending scree but cover a modest distance to reach spectacular heights. The vistas are breathtaking. As the sun rises, we should be at Stella Point, 5,739 meters, on the crater rim. We are surrounded by beautiful ice cliffs inside the crater, and we have stunning views of the craggy Mawenzi Peak and beyond. We continue on for another hour of hiking till we reach the summit, Uhuru Peak 5,895 m/19,340.55 ft. Our descent starts with a trip back to Stella Point, followed by a scree slope and track down to Barafu Camp for breakfast, and finally a long, well-deserved rest in Mweka Camp.
After breakfast proceeds with the gentle trek through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride. Then drive back to the hotel for dinner, overnight and farewell
The Tour includes
• Professional, experienced, mountain guides
• Pre & Post Trek accommodation
• 18% VAT on tour fees & services
• Mountain Equipment, Sleeping tents, Kitchen tents, Porters, Guides and Chef
• Tents, Table and Chairs, Food utensils and so on.
• All Park fees
• Rescue fees
• All meals while on the Mountain
• Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
• Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
• Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
• Clean, purified drinking water
• Crisis management and safety procedures
• Fair and ethical treatment of porters
The Tour exclude
• Airport transfers
• Tanzania Visa
• Gratuity
• Personal Expenses
(e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
• Meals not listed above
• Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
Comments
- Please note that our itinerary is flexible and can be modified based on your preferences
- This is a quotation only. No reservations or arrangements have been confirmed on your behalf pending your authority to proceed and the final itinerary is subject to availability.
- All prices quoted are current and are subject to change at any time due to cost increases such as Park Entry fees or Hotel| Airline rates increase that are beyond our control. As a result, reserves the right to re-quote on a quotation if confirmation of the itinerary is not received within 14 working days from date of quotation.