7 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Machame Route

Overview

Machame route is the most popular route alongside Marangu route. It is famously known as "Whiskey route" do its hiking difficultness however, It is also the most scenic and beautiful route.

The trail is mostly preffered by adventurious tourists with high altitude and hiking experience due its difficultness, steep slopes and and short trekking period.

The route starts from Machame gate, southern side of the mountain.Hikers takes this trails, pass through the rain forest to Shira Plateau where many ascending routes of Mt. Kilimanjaro converge. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu and finally descends through Mweka route to Mweka Gate.

Itinerary

Day 0: Arrival

A well presented driver will be at Kilimanjaro International Aiport for pick up and followed by a one hour drive  to your hotel/lodge in Moshi town. Your guide will be coming at your place where you stay for pre-climb briefing and gear check.

Day 1: Mweka Gate to Machame Camp

The drive from Moshi to the Machame Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp.

A transport  for your transfer to the gate will be at Hotel after your breakfast. It takes 1hour to be at Machame Gate. After check-in formalitites is completed, a steady walk will start to Machame Camp passing through a dense forest on a winding trail up a ridge.   

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

We cross the glades of the rain forest and continue on to hike up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.

Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

We continue eastwards up to a ridge and then hike southeast towards  a 300 ft tall volcanic rock  famously  known as Lava Tower. We proceed downwards to Barranco Camp through the tremendous but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft.The hike through this day ends at almost the same elevation and it is very important for acclimatization.

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

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: 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
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

Around midnight we will attempt summitting to the highest place in Africa, we continue our way to the summit between the giant glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most challenging part of the trek. We will take a rest at Stella Point where also you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see.

 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
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.

From the gate, a vehicle will be present for pick up and drive you back to your hotel in Moshi..

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast

Group price