Machame Route
The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. It is one of the highest summit success rates given the topography and nature of the route which allows climbers to trek high & sleep low hence making it a more favourable route for acclimatization. The route can be completed in 6~7 days on the mountain. The accommodation on the way up and down is camping (mobile tents) only.
Details
The first-day trekking begins at Machame Gate after registration. The drive from Moshi to the gate takes approximately an hour or two. The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once we reach the park gate, climbers are requested to make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging their packs containing food, water, firewood, and other equipment. Make sure that you have all your daypack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. The guides will be pleased to assist with any additional information. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rainforest on a winding trail to the first uniport hut, which is located at an altitude of 3, 048 meters. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Hut. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy our dinner, and overnight. We have now reached an altitude of 3,100 meters.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley and walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge at 3,658 meters. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira Hut campsite. For acclimatization purposes.
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the Sharks Tooth. Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 meters. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 meters. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation, as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
We leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (4200m), and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. We continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4,600 meters. 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. This section can also be divided into 2 separate days, where an in-between camp will be made in or near the Karanga valley. This makes the summit day a lot easier.
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
You will wake up very early (around midnight), we start our trek to the summit between the Rebman and Ratzel glaciers through heavy scree up to Stella Point on the crater rim. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, we 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, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite at 3,100 meters. This part of the descent takes about 5 hours. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Beer and soda may be available for purchase at the MwekaHut.
Trekking time: 13-15 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Your final day on the trek, departing after breakfast down to the Mweka Park Gate. 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 raingear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
