Machame Route Tour Overview

Join us on a challenging yet rewarding 6-day Kilimanjaro climbing tour on the Machame Route. Our experienced guides will lead you safely to the summit of Africa’s highest peak, while you take in the breathtaking views and diverse ecosystems. All necessary gear and accommodations are included.

The Machame route also referred to as the Whiskey route, is one of the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro and a favorite for Ahsante Tours. Despite being a tough climb compared to the Marangu route, the Machame route has one of the highest summit success rates given the topography of the route which allows climbers to “trek high & sleep low” hence making it a more favorable route for acclimatization. Unlike the Marangu Route which is a gradual ascent, the Machame route has steeper trails and climbers walk longer distances. This route offers some of the most spectacular scenery while on the mountain.

The Machame route starts on the southwest side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Lemosho routes at the Shira camp. The Machame route can be done in the minimum of 6 days but a 7-day trek is recommended so climbers are well rested and acclimatized before making the final ascent to the summit. This is probably the most scenic route up Kilimanjaro, it is one of the most difficult routes on the mountain. It takes 7 days / 6 nights to accomplish the mission. The accommodation on the way up and down is strictly camping (mobile tents) only. This trek is good for adventurous hikers

Comments

  • Please note that our itinerary is flexible and can be modified until it suits your needs and wishes.
  • This is a quotation only. No reservations or arrangements have been confirmed on your behalf pending your authority to proceed and the final itinerary is subject to availability.
  • All prices quoted for our Machame Route Kilimanjaro climbing tours are current and are subject to change at any time due to cost increases such as Park Entry fees or Hotel| Airline rates increases that are beyond our control. As a result, reserves the right to re-quote on a quotation if confirmation of the itinerary is not received within 14 working days from date of quotation.
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Daily Activities

Day 1 – ARRIVE IN TANZANIA.

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Meals: Dinner and Overnight at Weru Weru River Lodge (or alternative).

Day 2 – MACHAME GATE (1790M) TO MACHAME CAMP (3010M).

One hour’s drive from Moshi lies the gate to the Machame route, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi Approx.
Time taken: 6 hours.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 3 – MACHAME CAMP (3010M) TO SHIRA CAMP (3845M)

Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.
Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 4 – SHIRA CAVE (3845M) TO BARRANCO CAMP (3960M)

Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi Approx.
Time taken: 8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 5 – BARRANCO CAMP (3960M) TO BARAFU CAMP (4640M)

Our day starts by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley, which is our last stop for fresh water before the summit. Scree now forms the terrain as we walk through arid and desolate land towards Barafu camp.
Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi Approx.
Time taken: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 6 – BARAFU CAMP (4640M) TO UHURU PEAK (5895M) & DOWN TO MILLENNIUM CAMP (3790M)

We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi
Time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 7 – TREK MILLENNIUM CAMP (3790M) TO MWEKA GATE (1630M)

A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration. Overnight at the Weru Weru River Lodge (or alternative)
Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi Approx.
Time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 8 – DEPART TANZANIA

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport. * We also welcome you spare an hour of your day to plant a tree, as part of our environmental conservation efforts in the Kilimanjaro region. * Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
End of Tour