Machame Route is often called the Whiskey Route this is a scenically beautiful trail, longer and much gentler than Umbwe or Marangu route. Our itinerary provides valuable acclimatization by having shorter walking days during the trek.
Machame Route is often called the Whiskey Route this is a scenically beautiful trail, longer and much gentler than Umbwe or Marangu route. Our itinerary provides valuable acclimatization by having shorter walking days during the trek.
Kilimanjaro Climbing Machame Kusini - From Arusha, drive to the Machame route, often referred to as the “Whiskey Route.” Starting at the Machame Park gate, enjoy a gentle ascent through the pristine montane forest, adorned with unique busy lizzie flowers, begonias, and ferns. The first camp is set among the giant heather at 3,000m, with an…
Kilimanjaro Climbing
Machame Kusini - From Arusha, drive to the Machame route, often referred to as the “Whiskey Route.” Starting at the Machame Park gate, enjoy a gentle ascent through the pristine montane forest, adorned with unique busy lizzie flowers, begonias, and ferns. The first camp is set among the giant heather at 3,000m, with an ascent of 1,200m and a walking duration of 5 to 6 hours.
Machame Route
Kilimanjaro National Park - Leave the giant heather zone and trek through the expansive open moorland to camp near the Shira Cave at 3,840m. You might spot herds of eland and occasionally a lion. The old volcanic caldera offers fascinating geological features, which can be explored during an optional half-hour walk in the afternoon. The ascent is 840m, with a walking time of 4 to 5 hours.
Climb towards the main peak Kibo
Kilimanjaro National Park - From Shira, ascend towards the main peak Kibo, with the western glaciers prominently visible across the rugged high-altitude desert of volcanic rocks and boulders. Skirt around its base and under the imposing western Breach, then descend into the sheltered Barranco Valley for a mid-way camp at 3,950m. This involves 6 to 7 hours of walking and a total ascent of only 110m, but climbing much higher and then descending aids acclimatization.
Up the steep Barranco
Kilimanjaro Region - Climb the steep Barranco wall, with some sections requiring easy scrambling, and then descend again to the Karanga Valley for a lunch break.
After lunch, hike on to Barafu Hut at 4,600m, completing a total of 7 to 8 hours of hiking and ascending 650m. From the camp, enjoy fantastic views across to Mawenzi peak. After a long day of hiking, it’s essential to relax adequately in preparation for the challenging summit hike early the next morning.
Return on the Mweka descent route
Mweka - Begin the climb at 1am to tackle the steep frozen scree. This is unavoidable on any route, but the goal is to pass Gillman’s Point and reach Stella Point on the crater rim by sunrise. Another 40 minutes will bring you to the highest point on the continent (Kibo: 5,900m), usually in warm sunshine. Descend via the Mweka route.
The ascent is 1,300m, taking about 7 hours to the summit, followed by a 2,600m descent and a 6 to 7-hour trek to the Mweka campsite (3,400m) above Mweka gate. This is a long and challenging day, but the sense of accomplishment is immense!
Moshi Kilimanjaro
Moshi - From the Mweka campsite, it takes 4 to 5 hours to descend through the forest to the Mweka gate (depending on individual fitness) to collect certificates and meet the vehicle. Return to Arusha for the night.
- Entrance fees
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- 5 nights of accommodation
- Entrance fees
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- 5 nights of accommodation
- Bottled water - recommended to bring yours
- Bottled water - recommended to bring yours
- Please bring: glacier glasses, personal first aid kit, wet wipes, warm sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, trekking pole(s), small towel, headtorch, water bottle, high factor sunscreen and lipsalve, high energy snacks, dried fruit, nuts, sweets, etc.
- Please bring: glacier glasses, personal first aid kit, wet wipes, warm sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, trekking pole(s), small towel, headtorch, water bottle, high factor sunscreen and lipsalve, high energy snacks, dried fruit, nuts, sweets, etc.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
