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6 Days from$1875 p/p in USD -
DeparturesYear Round
Destinations
Tanzania,
Tour Type
Guided
Safari Standard
Budget
Tour Overview
Savour the Machame Route on Mount Kilimanjaro, hiking through rainforests, rocky ridges, mountain valleys, and stunning glaciers. Notice the most beautiful sunrise at Stella Point before summiting Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
General Information
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Safari types:Guided Safari, Mountain Safari, Trekking Safari
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You will visit:Kilimanjaro National Park
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Wildlife:Birds
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Activities:Trekking
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Getting around:Transfer Vehicle
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Start/end:Start/end in Moshi or Arusha
About Machame Route
The Machame route, also known as the “whiskey route”, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking or backpacking experience.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. The path leads hikers through the rain forest to Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro’s routes 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. The descent is made via the Mweka route.
Machame can be a seven-day group climb or a six-day private climb. The six-day variation combines days four and five, going from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp without staying at Karanga.
Price Per Person – USD
From USD 1,875 per person
What's Included
- Accommodation – throughout the trek, you will stay in huts and camping sites
- 3 meals and drinking water
- Cook and porter
- Transport to and from the gate
- Fair crew salary
- Park and rescue fees
- Tanzania trekking guide
What's Excluded
- Flights and visas
- Tips to mountain crew
- Alcoholic beverages
- Doctor for the group
- Laundry services
- Personal expenses
- Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra (USD 70 per toilet + toilet tent)
Disclaimer
- This itinerary is owned and delivered by ‘Kitano Tours And Safaris‘
- All prices are ‘From’ and may vary at the time of booking
- Display price is usually based on two people sharing
- ‘Kitano Tours And Safaris‘ reserves the right to change the content and price of the itinerary
- All itineraries are subject to availability
Day By Day Overview
Drive from Moshi to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 50 minutes). The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. 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. Continue a short distance until reaching the Machame Camp.
Distance covered: 10.8 km (6 hours)
Meals: Lunch & dinner
After breakfast, 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.
Accommodation: Shira Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Distance covered: 5.4 km (4-6 hours)
From the Shira Plateau, continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo with your Tanzania mountain guide. As you continue, your direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, come to the second junction which brings you up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. Continue down to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Distance Covered: 10.8 km (8-10 hours)
After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. Continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.
Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Distance covered: 8.5 km (8 hours)
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy screed towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), 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 the 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. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.From the summit, make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, with a stop at Barafu 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, enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Accommodation: Mweka Hut
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Distance covered: 16.4 km (7-8 hours ascent – 4-6 hours descent)
After breakfast, 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. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). Meet a vehicle at Mweka Gate to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Distance covered: 9.1 km (3 hours)
