Upcoming Trips

Machame
7 Days/6 Nights

(6 Days/5 Nights Option is Available)

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These routes allow for novice, intermediate and advanced climbers

Designed to accommodate up to 12 climbers

Machame or “Whiskey Route” approaches the mountain from the South and it is the most popular of all the routes. Beautiful and scenic, Machame is considered the most challenging given it’s shorter time span under high altitude conditions. This route is a favorite amongst intermediate to advanced hikers with experience in high altitude climbing environments.
Machame Tour 7 Days/6 Nights

Tour Features

  • Duration 7 Days/6 Nights
  • Active Hiking 43 Hours
  • Distance 65 KM
  • Final Elevation 5,896 m/19,343 ft
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Day 1

Moshi/Machame Gate to Machame Camp

At 0800 hrs drive from Sali Salinero Hotel Moshi to Machame National Park Gate it takes about forty minutes drive from Moshi and one hour and half from Arusha. The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. After registration and all the formalities, with the porters and guides you leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, 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 (m): 1830m to 3100m
Elevation (ft): 6000ft to 10,200ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

Day 2

Machame Camp to Shira Camp

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Elevation (m): 3100m to 3840m
Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 12,600ft
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland

Day 3

Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to northeast 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, where we will be having picnic hot lunch, shortly after the tower, we can see second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 meters. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 meters. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Elevation (m): 3840m to 4630m to 3860m
Elevation (ft): 12,600ft to 12,700ft
Walking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert

Day 4

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite.

Elevation (m): 3860m to 4200m
Elevation (ft): 12,700ft to 13,800ft
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 5

Karanga Camp to Barafu High Camp

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and continue to the Barafu High 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. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Elevation (m): 4200 to 4600m
Elevation (ft): to 15,100ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 6

Barafu High Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), 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 (5685m), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

You will want clothing for both extremes with you. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu high camp for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m)
Elevation (ft): 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft)
Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent
Hiking Time: 6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Day 7

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate 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.
A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you to Moshi

Elevation (m): 3100m to 1830m
Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 6000ft
Distance: 15 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest