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Tanzania · Trekking
The journey
Take on Mount Kilimanjaro's popular Machame Route, also known as the Whiskey Route, on a 6-day trek to Uhuru Peak. This second-most scenic route rewards climbers with stunning views and landscaped vistas as you pass through rain forest, moorland, and alpine terrain. Along the way, you will trek via Machame, Shira, Barranco, Barafu, and Mweka camps, with an important acclimatisation day near Lava Tower. The journey culminates at Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Africa, with the chance to witness a magnificent sunrise from Stella Point or the summit.
Stop for a short rest at Stella Point, and you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
Drive from Arusha to Machame Park Gate for registration formalities with your Tanzanian mountain guide.
Start the walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here.
Continue a short distance until you reach Machame Camp.
Eat breakfast.
Leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route then turns west onto a river gorge.
Arrive at the Shira Campsite.
Go from the Shira Plateau and continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo.
Continue as the direction changes to the southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the Shark's Tooth (4650 m/15,250 ft).
Shortly after the tower, come to the second junction, which goes to the Arrow Glacier, with your Tanzanian mountain guide.
Continue down to Barranco Camp. Although you end the day at around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatisation and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Leave Barranco after breakfast and continue on a steep ridge up to the Barranco Wall (4250 m/13,900 ft), through the Karanga Valley (4050 m/13,250 ft) to the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.
Continue up to Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles.
Make camp with views of the summit in the distance.
Continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am.
Head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
Stop for a short rest at Stella Point, and you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
Encounter snow all the way from Stella Point on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.
Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
Begin the descent after enjoying the views by continuing straight down to Mweka Camp.
Stop at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel on the way down.
Arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy your last evening on the mountain.
Eat breakfast.
Continue the descent down to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear.
Get dropped back at your hotel in Arusha by your driver to end your Kilimanjaro trekking tour.
Where this trip takes you
Shira Plateau, Lava Tower (Shark's Tooth) and Uhuru Peak
The route
The fine print
2 nights' hotel accommodation
Professional, experienced, English-speaking Tanzanian mountain guides
All park fees and rescue fees
All meals while on the mountain
Arrival and departure transfers
Salaries and park fees for guides, porters, and cooks
Quality mess tents with table and chairs
Large portions of fresh, healthy, and nutritious food
Clean, purified drinking water
Tanzania visa
Personal expenses
Meals not listed above
Optional tours
Climbing the mountain is all about experiencing adventure throughout your trip. At the same time, it will help make your body fit for this trek. By visiting Mount Kilimanjaro, you can explore the heather moors, glaciers, rain forests, and lots more. Make sure to take local guides with you who are professional. However, according to your convenience, you can choose the right Kilimanjaro climb and safari package and book it. Once your booking is done, you will have the chance to experience adventures you may never have experienced before.
While doing the trek, you will get to know that there are several routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, and you will see a variety of scenic nature. Apart from nature exploration, there is also a chance of seeing lions, leopards, herds of zebra, and wildebeest as well. This could be one of the main things that everyone wants to experience while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Logistics
Your 6 days finish where they began, in Arusha.
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When
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