Arriving in Tanzania

Kilimanjaro International Airport - The Kilimanjaro adventure begins as soon as you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Our team will greet you and transport you to Arusha, where you’ll stay in the serene environment of The African Tulip, our comfortable pre and post-trek accommodation. From here, you can enjoy stunning views of the mountain. Relax by the pool before meeting with the guides for a briefing, where they will provide essential information for your trek to the roof of Africa.

Machame Gate (1490m) – Machame Camp (2980m)

Mount Kilimanjaro - After an early breakfast in Arusha at 1400m, you’ll be driven to Machame Village to purchase water and receive a packed lunch. Depending on road conditions, you may drive directly to the Machame Gate or walk three kilometers in muddy conditions to reach it. After registration, you’ll start your ascent into the rainforest, where rain is common, making the trail muddy and slippery. You’ll pause for lunch halfway before continuing to the Machame campsite in the late afternoon. Upon arrival, your porters will have already set up your tent. The porters will boil water for drinking and washing, while the cook prepares dinner. As night falls, temperatures may drop to freezing, and you’ll retire to your tent to rest for the next day’s journey.

Machame Camp (2980m) – Shira Camp (3840m)

Mount Kilimanjaro - You rise early at Machame Camp, and after breakfast, you climb for about an hour to the top of the forest, then continue for two hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you proceed up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now, you will be able to see the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers to the east. You are now due west of Kibo, and after a short hike, you will reach the Shira campsite at 3840 meters. The porters will boil drinking and washing water before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will be even colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping well below freezing.

Shira (at 3840m) to Lava Tower (at 4630m) to Barranco Camp (at 3950m)

Mount Kilimanjaro - The route now turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a five-hour walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower, 4630m. This is definitely the toughest day so far. It is usually around this point that some climbers may start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. After lunch, you descend again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area, and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco Camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner.

Barranco Camp (3950m) - Barafu Camp (4550m)

Mount Kilimanjaro - After a night at the Great Barranco Wall, you begin the ascent, which turns out to be easier than expected. Once you reach the top, just below the Heim Glacier, you are treated to stunning views of Kilimanjaro. The route then descends through the Karanga Valley, passing ridges and valleys, and joins the Mweka route, the preferred descent from the summit. After turning left up the ridge, you reach Barafu Hut. This camp is known for being cold and exposed to strong winds, located on a narrow, rocky ridge with no water supply. The last water stop is in Karanga Valley. At Barafu, prepare for your summit attempt by organizing your gear, replacing batteries for your headlamp and camera, and carrying water in a thermal flask to prevent freezing. After an early dinner, aim to sleep by 7:00 PM to rest before the final ascent, which begins later that night. The summit is 1,345 meters higher, and the night climb will be demanding.

Barafu Camp (4550m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)

Mount Kilimanjaro - You will rise around 11:30 PM, have tea and biscuits, and begin your night ascent towards Stella Point on the crater rim. The six-hour climb through heavy scree is mentally and physically challenging for many climbers. At Stella Point 5,685m, you’ll rest briefly and enjoy a magnificent sunrise, weather permitting. From there, you’ll encounter snow during the two-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time spent at the summit depends on weather conditions, but don’t linger too long due to cold and fatigue. After enjoying the accomplishment, you’ll begin your descent to Barafu Hut, a three-hour walk. At Barafu, take a short rest, gather your gear, and continue down through rock, scree, and moorland into the forest. The camp, situated in the upper forest, may experience mist or rain in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be ready upon arrival.

Mweka Camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1980m)

Mount Kilimanjaro - Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point at 5,685 meters receive green certificates, and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for one hour, covering three kilometers. You will be served a hot lunch, then you will drive back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

• Airport Transfer
• Professional guide/driver
• Lunch
• Accommodation as per itinerary
• Park Fees
• Transportation in Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
• All Taxes/VAT
• Bottled Water, 1.5L per person per day
• Rescue Fees

• International Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Tips
• Laundry
• Visa Fees
• Drinks like Soda and Alcohol
• Vaccination
• Other Personal Items

Are you prepared to embark on one of the most exciting and memorable adventures of your life? The Machame Route on Mount Kilimanjaro offers an ideal mix of stunning scenery, challenging terrain, and a sense of achievement that few life experiences can match. This six to seven-day trek is often called the Whiskey Route because it is more challenging than the popular Marangu Route, but it rewards climbers with the most spectacular views and an incredible sense of accomplishment.

As you climb through lush rainforests, open moorlands, alpine deserts, and finally reach the summit, you’ll experience a remarkable diversity of landscapes. The Machame Route is renowned for its gradual ascent, which aids in acclimatization, providing a higher chance of reaching the summit, Uhuru Peak, at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet).

What makes the Machame Route truly special is its combination of scenic beauty and a genuine sense of wilderness.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.