Wild Excursions & Safaris

6 Days Kilimanjaro Climb – Machame Route

The Kilimanjaro Machame Route is the “Whiskey” route. It’s the second most popular and one of the most attractive routes on the mountain. The Machame route is deliberated as a challenging route and is better suited for more adventurous climbers and those with some hiking or backpacking experience. The climb is steeper and daily sections are longer than other routes, but it offers a good acclimatisation profile.

Accommodation is mostly in tents.hat are inclusive in the package and meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside. Climbs depart depends on the client’s schedule, except in the rainy season of April and May.

  • Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Climb to Machame Camp (LD)
  • Day 2: Hike Machame Camp to Shira Camp (BLD
  • Day 3: Hike Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp (BLD)
  • Day 4: Hike Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (BLD)
  • Day 5: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp (BLD)
  • Day 6: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi (B)

6 Days 5 Nights Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Climb to Machame Camp (LD)

Drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. The hike or climb passes through the village of Machame which is located at the base of the mountain. We leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a windy path up a ridge. At lower elevations, the trail can be tricky as its sometimes muddy hence slippery. Gaiters and hiking poles are a good idea here. We climb a bit more then we reach the Machame Camp.

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

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Machame Camp

Day 2: Hike Machame Camp to Shira Camp (BLD)

After having breakfast we continue the glades of the rain forest as we climb on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we reach the Shira campsite.

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

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Shira Camp

Day 3: Hike Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp (BLD)

From the Shira Plateau, we go eastern part up a ridge, passing the intersection towards the peak of Kibo Kilimanjaro. As we continue, our course changes to the South-East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after this tower, we reach the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although we end the day around the same elevation as when we began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the summit the day.

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

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Barranco Camp

Day 4: Hike Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (BLD)

After breakfast, we head to Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elev 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which links with the Mweka Trail. We head up to the Barafu Camp. Reaching here we would have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. We make camp with views of the summit in the distance.

— Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
— Distance: 9km/6mi
— Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
— Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Barafu Camp

Day 5: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp (BLD)

Early in the morning around 4 am, we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We head in a north-west direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the climb. We will stop for a short rest at Stella Point and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster climbers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way to the summit.

Once at Uhuru Peak we have reached the highest point on Mt. Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

From the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and hiking poles for the loose gravel going down. We reach 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 included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Mweka Camp

Day 6: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi (B)

After breakfast, we resume the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificate. At lower elevations, it can be muddy and wet. Gaiters and hiking poles will help. T-shirts and shorts will possibly be plenty to wear, keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. From the gate, resume another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha.

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

Meals included: Breakfast

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MACHAME ROUTE KILIMANJARO CLIMB PRICE INCLUDES:

All accommodations per itinerary
All meals per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
All tours and entrance fees per itinerary (unless listed as excluded)
All transportation and transfers per itinerary
National Park gate fees
Transport from Moshi to trailhead and return to Moshi
Camping fees
Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides for all routes
Salaries for all crew members
Rescue fees (as required by the national park)
Tents, foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and eating utensils
Oximeters
Emergency Oxygen (2L canister)

MACHAME ROUTE KILIMANJARO CLIMB PRICE EXCLUDES:

International and domestic flights
Meals not listed
Beverages and alcohol
Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
Optional tours
Single room supplement
Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
Tips for guides, porters, and cooks (budget $550-800/person)
Sleeping bags and personal gear
$50 for a single tent
Low season discount in April/May

MACHAME LEMOSHO ROUTE KILIMANJARO CLIMB PRICE INCLUDES:

Special Kilimanjaro guide with Wilderness First Responder certification
Personal porter for carrying a day pack
Food resupply (once on a climb)
Solar panel for charging USB devices (charges battery, which charges devices)
Solar lights
Hyperbaric pressure bag
Portable toilet (1 per 5 people)
Camp shower (1 per 5 people)
Large comfortable dining tent
Dining chairs with backs and arms
Hot lunches on the mountain
Solar lighting in the dining tent and personal tent
Camp pillow
Extra sleeping pad or 1 double-thick pad
Filtered water with Katadyn filter
Kilimanjaro map for the group
Celebration dinner at the hotel after returning from the climb
Walk-in tent (4-person, 4-season) for 2 people
Camp beds
Resupply of fresh food (2-3 times on trek)
Hot water bottle for a sleeping bag
Private emergency stretcher

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