MACHAME ROUTE 6 DAYS ITINERARY
Overview
The Machame or (Whiskey Route) is one of the most popular routes for Kilimanjaro climbers. We at Kilimanjaro on foot would recommend the short 6-day program only to those with climbing experience, a reasonable level of fitness.
Day 1 : Machame Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Machame Camp (3,010m/9,875ft)
Activity: The day starts with a morning briefing at your hotel in Moshi followed by a drive to the Machame Gate (about 1 hours). At the gate, you'll complete park formalities Our porters prepare and pack our supplies and luggage before we start our ascent along the forest trail to Machame Camp at 3010m. We will stay here overnight.
Hiking Time: Approximately 6-7 hours
Distance: About 10km
Elevation Gain: 1,210m (3,970ft)
Habitat: Rainforest
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 2 : Machame Camp (3,010m/9,875ft) to Shira Camp (3,845m/12,615ft)
Activity: The trail continues through the rainforest, gradually ascending through heather and moorland zones. Our route now turns west into a river gorge until we reach Shira Cave Camp. It will be colder tonight than the previous night with temperatures possibly falling below freezing.
Hiking Time: Approximately 5-6 hours
Distance: About 9km
Elevation Gain: 835m (2,740ft)
Habitat: Moorland
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3 : Shira Camp (3,845m/12,615ft) to Lava Tower (4,640m/15,223ft) and Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)
Activity: Today, the ascent to the impressive rock formation Lava Tower begins at an altitude of 4,640 meters. Here you eat lunch and enjoy the view, before heading slowly down the heights again to Barranco Camp where our team has camped and prepared food for you.
From the camp there is a nice view of Barranco Wall, and you can see ice glaciers further up. Around you can see some rare plants that only grow on Kilimanjaro.
Hiking Time: Approximately 6-7 hours
Distance: About 15km
Elevation Gain: 795m (2,615ft) to Lava Tower, then descent to 3,950m (12,960ft)
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4 : Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Barafu Camp (4,680m/15,360ft)
Activity: After breakfast, make your way up the Barranco wall, which in the end, normally turns out to be easier than anticipated. We stop for lunch at Karanga camp and after lunch ascend 640m to Barafu campsite. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and the Barafu campsite is totally exposed to the ever-present gales.
Hiking Time: Approximately 6-8 hours
Distance: About 10km
Elevation Gain: 730m (2,400ft)
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5 : Barafu Camp (4,680m/15,360ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft) and back to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)
Activity: Summit Day! You'll start your ascent in the middle of the night to reach the summit at sunrise. After reaching Uhuru Peak, you'll descend back to Barafu Camp for a short rest and then continue down to Mweka Camp.
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours to the summit, then 5-7 hours descent
Distance: Approximately 5km to the summit, 12km descent
Elevation Gain: 1,215m (3,990ft) ascent, 2,795m (9,170ft) descent
Habitat: Glacial zone, Alpine Desert, Moorland, Rainforest
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6 : Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,640m/5,380ft)
Activity: Your final descent through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate, where you'll receive your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. Transfer to your hotel.
Transport: Private transfer (0.5 hour, 17 km)
Hiking Time: Approximately 3-4 hours
Distance: About 10km
Elevation Loss: 1,460m (4,790ft)
Habitat: Rainforest
Accommodation: Hotel
Departure
After a much-needed nights rest, we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged airport transfers with us or a safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you in the morning for your onward journey.
Transport: Private transfer (0.8 hour, 41 km)
Meals included: Breakfast
