Kilimanjaro Climbing Machame Route

Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

TA
Twende Africa Tours
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Duration: 8 days
Group size: 1 - 25
Kilimanjaro Climbing Machame Route
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Twende Africa Tours
  • Email address verified
  • Facebook verified
  • LinkedIn verified

Duration: 8 days
Group size: 1 - 25

About this trip

 

The second most popular and indeed one of the most beautiful routes up the mountain is the Machame Route. Also known as the Whisky Route, this trail is both longer and slightly more challenging than the Marangu Route. Where accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame route offers strictly tents only. The route is better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, however, rewarding him with a scenic splendor such as not seen on the Marangu route. Provided of its challenge about 80% of hiker makes to the summit of Africa.

How to reach there: Transfer from you hotel and drive from Moshi to Machame gate which takes about 45 minutes passing the Machame village which cultivates bananas and coffee

HIGHLIGHTS:

Trekking to the highest mountain in Africa

Two-night hotel accommodation in Moshi at Mountain Inn Lindrin Lodge or Parkview Inn.

LOCATIONS:

Tanzania/Kilimanjaro

ACTIVITIES:

Mountain Trekking

Please confirm your trip in advance to propagate your special offer!

Please note: we provide tents and mattresses free for our clients.

DAY 1

Arrival day/Briefing day 


We will meet, drive you from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to your hotel in Moshi to rest for a while and later meet your guide for gear checking and briefing about the mountain. Furthermore, the guide will go through the group camping gear and demonstrate the use and operation of all equipment especially emergency oxygen cylinder and pulse ox-meter, your guide also will explain signs and symptoms of various mountain sicknesses which might happen while trekking.

Day 2

 Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Hike to Machame Camp

Drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations 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.

  • Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
  • Distance: 11km/7mi
  • Hiking time: 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Montane Forest

Day 3

 Hike Machame Camp to Shira Camp

After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

  • Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
  • Distance: 5km/3mi
  • Hiking time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland

Day 4

 Hike Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

  • Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
  • Distance: 10km/6mi
  • Walking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Semi-desert

Day 5

 Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

  • Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
  • Distance: 5km/3mi
  • Hiking time: 34 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 6

 Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

We continue up to the Barafu Camp. 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.

  • Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
  • Distance: 4km/2mi
  • Hiking time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 7

 Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), 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 you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

  • Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
  • Down to : 3090m/10,150ft
  • Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
  • Hiking time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
  • Vegetation: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Day 8

 Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi

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).

Twende Africa Tours vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).

  • Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
  • Down to : 3090m/10,150ft
  • Distance: 10km/6mi
  • Hiking time: 3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Forest

What’s included

  • 2 night hotel
    1 night on arrival and 1 night after trek
  • All Entry fee
  • Guide
  • Porters
  • Meal
  • Transfer
  • Government tax

What’s not included

  • Visa
  • Flight
  • Travel Insurances

Available Packages

Trip Price
$2,260

Your Organizer


TA
Twende Africa Tours
His name is Peter Kinyaiya, the local Tour Guide & Operator in Tanzania, born and raised on the slope of our Majestic Mount Kilimanjaro at 1400m. He was a porter on Mt Kilimanjaro for more than 6 years before keeping some money and go back to college and trained to be a qualified tour guide. After working with other companies for 10 years, he decided to get into the field and run safaris and trekking tours himself. In 2014, Twende Africa Tours, Company was found with his comrade porters all from the brotherhood. Their dream was to provi