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7 Days from$1890 p/p in USD -
DeparturesYear Round
Destinations
Tanzania,
Tour Type
Guided
Safari Standard
Budget, Camping
Tour Overview
The Machame route, also referred to as the “Whiskey Route”, is one of the most popular routes on Mt. Kilimanjaro and is scenically beautiful and varied. Compared with Marangu, the days on Machame are longer, the walks are steeper and this route is considered more difficult so is better suited for more adventurous folks and those with some experience. The Machame has one of the highest summit success rates given the topography which allows climbers to “climb high and sleep low” as it offers the acclimatization principle. The route begins from the south, then heads east, traversing underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field before summiting. It is one of the favourite routes for visitors, but this means that due to the heavy crowds, it loses some of its splendor.
General Information
- Safari types:Camping Safari, Guided Safari, Mountain Safari
- You will visit:Kilimanjaro National Park
- Wildlife:Birds, Colobus Monkey, Blue Monkey, Forest Pig, Bush Baby, Tree Hyrax
- Activities:Trekking
- Getting around:4x4 Vehicle
- Start/end:Start/end in Moshi
- Minimum age:7
Price Per Person – USD
From USD 1,890 per person
What's Included
- Pre & post trek accommodation at a high standard hotel in Moshi
- Accommodation on the mountain
- Three delicious meals while on the mountain
- Salary of the mountain crew
- Mineral water bottle on first day of your trek
- Airport pick up/drop off
- Park fees & Government taxes
What's Excluded
- Flights & visas
- Meals at your hotel
- Additional tours
- Tips and gratuitous for your crew
- Items of the personal nature e.g. drinks, laundry
- Insurance
Disclaimer
- This itinerary is owned and delivered by ‘Africa Sights Safaris‘
- All prices are ‘From’ and may vary at the time of booking
- Display price is usually based on two people sharing
- ‘Africa Sights Safaris‘ reserves the right to change the content and price of the itinerary
- All itineraries are subject to availability
Day by Day Overview
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to Machame gate. After completing your registration and formalities with the park authority, you enter the rainforest zone immediately and start your Kilimanjaro ascent. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rainforest. Rain in this zone is a strong possibility which leaves the trail muddy, soggy, and slippery on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp.
We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira Camp.
We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower, 4600m tall volcanic rock formation. Through the Senecio Forest, we descend down to Barranco Camp to an altitudinal level of (3900m). Even if you start and end at the same altitude, it is very beneficial for acclimatization.
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We 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 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.
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short breaks. At the Stella Point (5756m), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally we arrive at Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From here, you will get to experience Kilimanjaro and all its glory and enjoy a view over the landscape. After taking pictures and celebrations, you will descend down the same route to Mweka Camp. Shortly before midday, you will arrive at Barafu Camp for your lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. 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.
Our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
