Overview of the Machame route
6 Days Machame route, considered the most scenic of the various routes up Mount Kilimanjaro. The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is the most popular route up Kilimanjaro. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south; beginning with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. It continues through the lush rainforest and follows a path that offers occasional views of Mt Meru, Shira Ridge and Mount Kilimanjaro.
The route proceeds to Lava Tower and descends towards Barranco Wall via the Southern Circuit. It summits at Barafu and descends through the Mweka route.
Hilbas Tours recommends 6 or 7 days on this route, but 7 days are preferable for better acclimatization.
6 Days Machame Route Itinerary
Arrived in Tanzania
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where you will meet Hilbas representatives, be picked up and transferred to the hotel for hot showers, comfortable beds, briefing, and gear checks. We will also arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
Day 1- Machame Gate to Machame Hut
Elevation: 1800m/5940ft to 2900m/9570ft
Distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest.
We will pick you up from the hotel and drive you 45 minutes to Machame Gate. Here you will pass through villages located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
Day 2- Machame Hut to Shira Camp
Elevation: 2900m/9870ft to 3750m/12375ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4-6 hours
Vegetation Zone: Moorland
This is the shortest day. After breakfast, the route continues up through a steep rocky ridge with wide views of the Shira Plateau, Kibo Peak, and Mt. Meru as she floats among the clouds.
Day 3- Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3750m/12375ft to 3900m/12870ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert
The morning begins with a long crossing of the plateau as we head east toward Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower. This will take 3-4 hours to reach Lava Tower (4600m/15180ft) Packed lunches or Hot lunches are served at the Tower, this is a very important area for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day. After that, we now continue down to the Barranco Camp where we take 2 hours, here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight
Day 4- Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 3900m/12870ft to 3930m/12969ft to 4670m/15411ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 7-8 hours
Vegetation Zone: Moorland
The day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine, and then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall to the top, here you will have a view of Heim Glacier, some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley, after hot lunch at the camp, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp, across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around, steep walk to Barafu, the remainder of the day is spent resting as we prepare for the final ascent before an early night summit walk. The Camp usually offers stunning views of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
Day 5- Barafu to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4670m/15411ft- 5895m/19453ft to 3100m/10230ft
Distance: 19 km
Hiking time: 15 hours
Vegetation: Alpine Desert/Arctic to Moorland
This is your special day when your dream comes true, your guide will wake you around 23:00 for tea and biscuits, Summit will begin through a steep over loose volcanic scree with some well-graded switchbacks and a slow but steady pace will lead us towards Stella Point on the crater rim (5696m/18800ft) for about 5 to 6 hours.
After a short rest, you will continue hiking for about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Here you will have a short time to take photographs around the summit. The Barafu campsite descent is fast. After lunch, we proceed to descend through the moorland to reach the final Mweka Campsite for dinner and overnight for the last day on the mountain.
Day 6- Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3100m/10230ft to 1700m/5610ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
This is another big day when your staff will sing to you and dance. After all, the descent will be on a well-maintained trail through a lovely rainforest with many birds, tall trees, flowers, and many interesting things. Our route will end at Mweka Gate which will require all hikers to sign out and receive certificates of completion. A driver from Hilbas tours will drive back to Hotel. On the way back you will pass through coffee and banana farms around Mweka village.
Departure or onwards travel
After an early breakfast, transfer to Safari or Kilimanjaro airport for your home departure flight.
Mountain Climbing Clothes
If you are packing for your climb it is important to really plan your clothing appropriately and we recommend choosing wool or synthetic options, like polyester or nylon, instead. Fabrics: Cotton takes a very long time to dry and is a poor insulator, so it should always be avoided in mountaineering climbs.
This is why we recommend that you pack the following:
Top Base Layer and Bottom Base Layer for climbing.
3-4 Pairs of Underwear
2-3 Short Sleeve
1 Insulated Trekking Pants
1-2 Long Sleeve Hiking Shirts
1-2 Pairs of Hiking Trousers
1 Insulated Winter Jacket
1 Polar Tec Fleece Jacket
1 Hard Shell Jacket
1- Gaiters
A hat to keep the sun off of your face
Good socks, preferably made out of merino wool
Shoes or boots that have good traction.
Bras, A pullover sports bra without any clasps.
1- Day backpack – between 20 – 35 litres. Large enough to carry your water, camera, raincoat, lunch pack, snacks & warm clothing
1- Duffel bag, (waterproof recommended), large enough for all climbing gear, to be carried by the porters. An extra bag is to be left at the hotel with extra gear.
1-Mittens or warm gloves and an inner one.
1-Sleeping bag, warm, four seasons
2- Water bottles – (total capacity at least 3 or 4 litres)
Price includes:
Transport:
– Pick-up at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Transfer to a hotel in Moshi/Arusha and back to the airport.
-Transfer to the trailhead – entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park;
– Pick up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel in Moshi/Arusha.
Accommodation:
Three-star hotel rooms (Moshi town) before and after the climb; The hotels have everything you need for your comfort.
Sharing tent accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Please note:
All accommodation is shared (i.e. you will share a twin/double room in the hotel and a tent during the hike with your travel companion).
If you travel alone, we will match you with a same-sex adventurer).
Entry fees and salaries
-All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park, -Camping fees, Vehicle fees, Rescue fees, and all Government taxes.
-Guides, porters, waiters, cook’s accommodation, Entry fees on the mountain and Salaries
Climbing crew:
-Professional / Experienced English-speaking Mountain guides, licensed by –Kilimanjaro National Park.
-All our guides hold Wilderness First Aid certifications.
-Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp masters, porters, cooks, etc.).
Meals:
– Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
-3 standard meals a day on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner).
-All drinks on the hike (Coffee, tea, Milo tea, water, etc).
Hiking and safety equipment:
-All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);
-Oxygen cylinders and Oximeters;
– Medical kits
Price excludes:
Insurance:
– Travel insurance is not covered by the tour price. You can arrange travel insurance with your preferred insurance company.
– Airline tickets;
– Visa fee, passport, vaccinations, and medicines.
– Flying doctors;
– Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent);
– Personal gear rentals;
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, souvenir money)
– A tip of between 250 and 400 dollars per person is recommended for the mountain crew.
Additional notes:
If you have booked your climb through an agent that gives you different tip information, please tip according to the agent’s information.
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