6-Day Trek To Mt Kilimanjaro Via Machame Route
Description
Choose probably the most beautiful route of Kili, referred to as the Whiskey Route. It is better suited to the slightly more adventurous hikers, however rewarding them with a scenic splendour from the late afternoon sunsets at Shira to the misty revelations of Kibo at the Great Barranco Wall. Experience the incomparable natural beauty in this trek in just 6 days!
Highlights
- Climb through lush forests to reach Machame Camp
- Admire the magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Peak
- Summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa
Itinerary Expand All Collapse All
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Day 1: Machame Gate (1490m) to Machame Camp (2980m) expand_more
Start your day early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 45-minutes drive from Moshi (910m) to the Machame village(1490m). Receive packed lunch and buy mineral water in the village.
Depending on the condition of the road, it is possible to drive from the village to the Machame gate, but if not, the muddy 3km walk will take about 1 hour to complete.
After registering at the gate office, start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, transforming the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience.
Have a welcome lunch stop about halfway and then reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon. Be prepared for night temperatures which can drop to freezing point at this campsite.
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Day 2: Machame Camp (2980m) to Shira Camp (3840m) expand_more
Rise early at Machame Camp and after breakfast, climb for an hour or so to the top of the forest and then, for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone.
After a short lunch and rest, continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira Plateau. By now, you will be able to see in an eastern direction the western breach dinner.
Experience the night at this exposed camp, which will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
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Day 3: Shira (3840m) to Lava Tower (4630m) to Barranco Camp (3950) expand_more
Route turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5-hour walk.
Eat lunch served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scream path to Lava Tower (4630m). Definitely the toughest day so far.
After lunch, descend again by almost 680m to the Barranco Camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear.
Descent to Barranco Camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to lay below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, providing you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner.
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Day 4: Barranco Camp (3950) to Barafu Camp (4550m) expand_more
After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall, make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than what you anticipated, topping out just below the hem glacier, appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is.
Route heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys and then joins up with the Mweka Route. This is the preferred route down from the summit.
Turn left up the ridge and, after another hour or so, reach Barafu Hut. The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu Camp. The summit is now further 1345m up, and you will make the final ascent the same night.
Prepare your equipment, walking stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt.
Go to bed at around about 7 pm and try to get some rest and sleep.
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Day 5: Barafu Camp (4550m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Mweka (3100m) expand_more
Wake up at around 11:30 pm and after some tea and biscuits, shuffle off into the night. Head a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 8-hour walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the out.
At Stella point (5685), 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 will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue.
Enjoy your accomplishment, then walk back to Barafu from the summit for 3 hours.
Here, you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka camp (3100m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scream path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon camp overnight.
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Day 6: Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1980m) expand_more
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate.
At Mweka Gate, sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates, and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.
From the Mweka village, you will be served a delicious hot lunch.
Drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner sparkling wine and celebrations.
Transfer to hotel for overnight B/B.
What's Included
Full briefing before your trip
Pulse ox-metre
Park fees
Camping fees
Camping equipment
Rescue fees
Food (3 meals per day)
Water
English-speaking Kilimanjaro guide
Salaries for the Kilimanjaro guide, cooks, porters
Transport to and from the mountain for yourselves and the crew
Lunch box for the first day
Crew park fees
Administration fee
Certificates of achievement
Sleeping tent, mess tent, camping chairs and table
Airport transfer 2 ways complimentary
2 night at a hotel; 1 before trekking and 1 after trekking
What's Excluded
International flights
Visas
Travel insurance
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Additional personal equipment
Gratuities
Additional activities for after the climb, e.g. safaris, waterfall visit, massage, etc
What to bring
- Travel Documents
- Valid passport and visa
- Airline ticket
- International health card with immunizations (Yellow fever)
- Travel insurance
- Medical insurance
- US$ cash/Travelers Checks/Credit Card
- Essential Items
- Duffel bag
- Small luggage lock
- Day backpack
- Sleeping bag
- Ski-pole/walking stick
- Water bottle/containers
- Kilimanjaro map (can be bought at Park gate)
- High Altitude Gear
- Waterproof, breathable & windproof jacket
- Waterproof, breathable & windproof pants
- Polar fleece (middle layer)
- Thermal underwear (under layers)
- Mittens or warm gloves
- Glove liners (if necessary)
- One pair of thermal socks
- Balaclava
- Gaiters
- Thermal water flask
- Hiking Gear
- Shorts
- Hiking pants
- Regular underwear
- T-shirts
- Raincoat or Poncho
- Footwear
- Water-resistant semi-stiff hiking boots – mid-weight boots work great
- Shoes for overnight camps – i.e. sneakers, running shoes, etc
- Socks – several pairs for the climb
- Liner socks – to keep your feet dry and limit the risk of blisters
- Equipment
- Sun hat or similar (with a brim)
- Collapsible ski stick (optional but highly recommended)
- Water bottles – two or three (total capacity at least 4 litres)
- Headlamp, a good strong one with spare batteries and an extra light bulb
- Water purification tablets
- Sunglasses, good quality dark lenses for the climb, with a securing strap
- Flashlight (torch) with spare batteries
- Personal Items
- Toilet kit (soap, toothbrush, toilet articles, wet wipes, etc.)
- Towel
- Sunscreen and lip protection, SPF 30+
- Ziploc bags to protect the camera, binoculars, etc. from dust
- Toilet paper
- Money belt for passport and valuables
- Medical and First Aid Supplies
- Headache tablets
- Altitude sickness – Diamox (if not allergic to sulpha)
- Diarrhoea – Imodium
- Nausea – Valoid
- Malaria – Prophylaxis
- Water purification tablets
- Painkillers
- Muscular sprains
- Abrasions blisters and cuts – Plaster, bandages
- Antiseptic cream – Betadine
- Flu and colds
- Eye drops
- Insect repellent
- Optional Items
- Camera, extra lenses and film (ASA 200 film recommended)
- Binoculars
- Powdered sports drinks for the climb (ex. Game or Isotonic drinks)
- Pocket knife
- Notebook & pencil
- Plastic bags to keep clothing dry (masking tape)
- Energy snacks and sweets
- Video camera, tapes, battery packs and tri-pod
Know before you go
Please remember to limit the weight of your duffel bag and its content, to be carried by the porters on the climb, to 15 kg (32 lbs) or less.
Meeting Point
Moshi, Tanzania
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.Price Details
Adult | |
1 To 1 | USD 2200 Per Person |
Child | |
1 To 1 | USD 1100 Per Person |
This is a group tour |