6 Days Machame Route
This route, often referred to as the Whisky Route, is a well-liked option that involves ascending steep trails through stunning forests, followed by a ridge path leading to the moorland zones and eventually the Shira Plateau. From there, it continues below the icy cliffs of the Southern Icefields before merging with the Barafu Route towards the summit. It's possible to extend the itinerary by adding an extra day, which can be ideally spent exploring the Shira Plateau and taking a walk to the Shira Needles.
About
Day 1:
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport/Alternative Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to the Hotel. You will be provided with dinner and breakfast at the hotel.
Day 2:
Start your day early with a briefing, followed by breakfast. Then, embark on a 2 hours and 45-minute drive from Arusah to Machame village. From there, depending on the road conditions, you will either drive or walk for about 1 hour to reach Machame Gate (1490m). After registering at the gate office, your ascent begins through the rainforest. Lunch will be provided, and you can drink bottled water. Expect muddy and slippery trails due to potential rain. In the evening, the porters will prepare dinner, and you will spend the night in tents at Machame campsite (2980m), where temperatures can drop below freezing.
Day 3:
After an early rise and breakfast at Machame camp, you will hike for about an hour through the forest and then continue for 2 hours through the moorland zone. A short lunch break will be followed by an ascent on a rocky ridge to the Shira plateau. From there, you can enjoy views of the Western Breach and stunning glaciers. Finally, you will reach Shira camp (3840m), where the porters will provide dinner and the night will be even colder than before.
Day 4:
This day's route takes you through a semi-desert and rocky landscape to Lava Tower (4630m), a challenging ascent lasting about 5 hours. After lunch, you will descend approximately 680m to Barranco camp (3950m). This descent serves as an important acclimatization step, and you can capture beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. Dinner will be prepared at Barranco campsite.
Day 5:
You will hike from Barranco to Karanga Valley and then continue to Barafu camp (4550m). This 7-hour journey covers a distance of approximately 13 km through an alpine desert habitat. Barafu camp is located on a narrow ridge, exposed to strong winds. Familiarize yourself with the terrain to ensure safety. Prepare your equipment for the summit attempt and get some rest before the final ascent.
Day 6:
On this day, you will attempt to reach the summit. Wake up around 23:30, have tea and biscuits, and start your ascent in a northwesterly direction through scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This challenging 6-hour hike leads to Stella Point (5685m), where you can rest and witness a breathtaking sunrise, weather permitting. From there, continue for about 2 hours on snowy terrain to reach Uhuru Peak (5895m). After spending some time at the summit, begin your descent to Barafu camp, which takes about 3 hours. Rest, collect your gear, and proceed to Mweka Camp (3100m) for dinner and overnight.
Day 7:
After breakfast, descend for approximately 3 hours from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1980m) through the forest. From there, you will proceed to Mweka village, followed by a drive back to Springlands Hotel in Moshi. Enjoy a hot shower and stay overnight at the hotel. Tips for guides and porters are appreciated at this point, and successful climbers will receive summit certificates.
Included:
- Two nights' accommodation in aruha
- Transportation between arusha and at the starting/finishing point of the climb
- Qualified guides and mountain crew
- National park fees
- Tents, sleeping mattresses, and camping equipment
- Dining and cooking facilities
- Rescue fees
- Airport transfers
- Pulse oximeters and first aid kit
- Meals on the mountain
- Guide, porter, cook, and waiter salaries
- Boiled water on the mountain
Excluded:
- Tips for guides, porters, cook, and waiters
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Personal gear for the climb
- Personal expenses
- Additional hotel nights
- Visas
- Emergency oxygen
Day 1:
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport/Alternative Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to the Hotel. You will be provided with dinner and breakfast at the hotel.
Day 2:
Start your day early with a briefing, followed by breakfast. Then, embark on a 2 hours and 45-minute drive from Arusah to Machame village. From there, depending on the road conditions, you will either drive or walk for about 1 hour to reach Machame Gate (1490m). After registering at the gate office, your ascent begins through the rainforest. Lunch will be provided, and you can drink bottled water. Expect muddy and slippery trails due to potential rain. In the evening, the porters will prepare dinner, and you will spend the night in tents at Machame campsite (2980m), where temperatures can drop below freezing.
Day 3:
After an early rise and breakfast at Machame camp, you will hike for about an hour through the forest and then continue for 2 hours through the moorland zone. A short lunch break will be followed by an ascent on a rocky ridge to the Shira plateau. From there, you can enjoy views of the Western Breach and stunning glaciers. Finally, you will reach Shira camp (3840m), where the porters will provide dinner and the night will be even colder than before.
Day 4:
This day's route takes you through a semi-desert and rocky landscape to Lava Tower (4630m), a challenging ascent lasting about 5 hours. After lunch, you will descend approximately 680m to Barranco camp (3950m). This descent serves as an important acclimatization step, and you can capture beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. Dinner will be prepared at Barranco campsite.
Day 5:
You will hike from Barranco to Karanga Valley and then continue to Barafu camp (4550m). This 7-hour journey covers a distance of approximately 13 km through an alpine desert habitat. Barafu camp is located on a narrow ridge, exposed to strong winds. Familiarize yourself with the terrain to ensure safety. Prepare your equipment for the summit attempt and get some rest before the final ascent.
Day 6:
On this day, you will attempt to reach the summit. Wake up around 23:30, have tea and biscuits, and start your ascent in a northwesterly direction through scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This challenging 6-hour hike leads to Stella Point (5685m), where you can rest and witness a breathtaking sunrise, weather permitting. From there, continue for about 2 hours on snowy terrain to reach Uhuru Peak (5895m). After spending some time at the summit, begin your descent to Barafu camp, which takes about 3 hours. Rest, collect your gear, and proceed to Mweka Camp (3100m) for dinner and overnight.
Day 7:
After breakfast, descend for approximately 3 hours from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1980m) through the forest. From there, you will proceed to Mweka village, followed by a drive back to Springlands Hotel in Moshi. Enjoy a hot shower and stay overnight at the hotel. Tips for guides and porters are appreciated at this point, and successful climbers will receive summit certificates.
Included:
- Two nights' accommodation in aruha
- Transportation between arusha and at the starting/finishing point of the climb
- Qualified guides and mountain crew
- National park fees
- Tents, sleeping mattresses, and camping equipment
- Dining and cooking facilities
- Rescue fees
- Airport transfers
- Pulse oximeters and first aid kit
- Meals on the mountain
- Guide, porter, cook, and waiter salaries
- Boiled water on the mountain
Excluded:
- Tips for guides, porters, cook, and waiters
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Personal gear for the climb
- Personal expenses
- Additional hotel nights
- Visas
- Emergency oxygen
