6 Days Machame Route
Overview
The Machame Route, also known as the Whiskey Route, is better suited for the more adventurous hiker and is one of the more scenic routes up Kilimanjaro.
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 0: Welcome to Tanzania
When you arrive from Nairobi by shuttle, we will pick you at bus station in Arusha and take you to Medan lodge for dinner and overnight. In the afternoon or evening, your GM Expeditions Mountain Guide will meet you for a Kilimanjaro climb briefing and an equipment check.
Dinner on your own, overnight at Medan Lodge
Day 1: Machame Gate (1800m) to Machame Camp (2835m)
Hiking time: 7 hours
On the way to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park the journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you leave the park gate you will walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until you reach the Machame Camp.
Day 2: Machame Camp (2835) to Shira cave Camp (3750m)
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Shortly after leaving the Machame camp you will leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path to a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather. The route then turns west onto a river gorge onto the Shira Campsite.
Day 3: Shira Cave Camp (3750m) to Barranco Camp (3900m)
Hiking Time: 7 hours
From the Shira Plateau, you will continue to the east up a ridge eventually passing the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, you come to the second junction which brings you up to the Arrow Glacier and continuing on to the Barranco campsite.
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3900m) – Barafu Camp (4673m)
You leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing up the Barranco Wall and through the Karanga Valley. From Karanga head up a moraine ridge where views can be spectacular. The final stage to Barafu is quite steep, and as always it’s taken it very slowly. In the evening your guide briefs you for the final ascent. (See Machame Route 7 dayes for optional Allimatization Day: Stay a night at Karanga Camp (3995m) before continuing the next day to Barafu Camp.
Dinner and overnight at Barafu Camp (4673m).
Trekking time: 6-7 hours walking
Day 5: Summit attempt Barafu Camp (4673m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)
We start our ascent at about midnight to 1 am, depending on the fitness and speed of the climbers, so that we can be up on the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree and nice graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5756m), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. For those are still feeling strong we will continue with the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5895m), passing close to glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. Following ample time for pictures at the summit, we begin the descent back to Barafu for lunch, and after some refreshments, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite at Mweka Camp.
Dinner and overnight at Mweka Camp (3100m)
Trekking time: 11-15 hours walking (it is a very long day!)
Day 6: Mweka Camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1640m)
A sustained descent on a well-constructed path takes us through a lovely tropical forest alive with bird-song, Our route winds down to Mweka gate at 1640m. We will have lunch at the Gate, a ceremony with the porters congratulating you as you receive your certificate, issued at the gate. We will then drive back to Masai Land Hotel for a well-deserved shower.
Dinner on your own, overnight at the Medan Lodge. Trekking time: 2-3 hours, Drive: 2-3 hour.
Day 7: Departure or Start Safari
Join us on safari, we will be there for your safari departure or transfer to the airport ready to catch your flight back home
Included/Exclude
- National Park permits
- Camping / hut fees
- Rescue service
- All meals while on the mountain
- Guides and Porters wages
- Round trip airport transfers between Arusha and JRO
- Round trip transfers between Arusha and mountain gates
- Hotel stays in Arusha for pre and post trek (2 nights in total) on bed and breakfast at Medan Lodge
- Sleeping mats 2-inch form
- Wash basins with hot water each morning and evening
- Treated drinking water 3L or more everyday
- International or Local flights
- Rental gears
- Tips for guides, porters and other staff
- Meals and drinks at the hotel in Arusha
- Travel Insurance, Visa and Medical Insurance
