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Mt. Kilimanjaro Trek – Machame Route 6 Days

Trip Introduction

The Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey Route”, is the second most popular option for climbing Kilimanjaro. This route provides a diverse range of views, landscapes, and experiences.

Unlike the gradual incline and hut accommodations found on the Marangu Route, the climbers on Machame hike steeper trails for longer distances while sleeping in tents. The Machame Route climb can be done in a minimum of six days on the mountain, but it is highly recommended to take seven days for a better altitude acclimatization schedule. The journey begins at Machame Gate, located at the mountain’s southern base and surrounded by lush, fertile rainforest. The route then proceeds towards the Shira Plateau before circling along the southern circuit, providing breathtaking views from every angle. The ascent to the summit is made from the east, and the descent follows the Mweka trail.

Day 0: Pre-trek Briefing

If you have chosen to use our airport transfer service, we will collect you from Kilimanjaro Airport and take you to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Your guide will meet you at the hotel for a pre-trek briefing, which is scheduled for the day after your arrival. We recommend that you arrive at least one day before the trek begins. During the briefing, we will discuss the trek and review your equipment. If you require any additional equipment, we can arrange for it to be rented from our store.

Day 1: Hotel – Machame Gate – Machame Campsite

  • Elevation :1200m to 1700m to 3000m.
  • Distance :
  • Hiking Time :5-7 hours
  • Habitat: Montane Forest

After breakfast our vehicle will transport you from the hotel drive to Machame gate. Here you will do the required registration procedures then you will start the trek through the rainforest to Machame camp where you will find the tents are already setup for you. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.

Day 2: Machame Hut Campsite to Shira Campsite

  • Elevation :3000m to 3800
  • Distance :
  • Trekking Time :6-7 hours
  • Habitat: Moorlands

After breakfast leave the glades of rainforest and continue ascending by crossing little valleys and steep rocky ridge covering with heather plants to the western side of the mountain where the camp is situated. At this camp you will able get the spectacular view of Mount Meru, Shira Plateau, Kibo Peak and sunset; then dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Shira Campsite to Barranco Campsite

  • Elevation :3800m to 3950m.
  • Distance :
  • Hiking time:5-7 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland

This is long and important acclimatization day so you will be having an early breakfast then continue trekking east to a junction leading to Lava tower rock 4600m for acclimatization. Afterwards you will continue down to Barranco camp. The camp location is in the bottom valley of Barranco wall where you will stop for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Barranco Campsite to Barafu Campsite

  • Elevation: 3963m to 4620m
  • Distance: 9 km.
  • Hiking Time: 8 hours
  • Habitat:  Alpine Desert

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4643m. Our day starts by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath, the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley, which is our last stop for fresh water before the summit. Scree now forms the terrain as we walk through arid and desolate land towards Barafu camp.

On arriving at camp, we eat and spend the evening resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. The summit is now a further 1342m up and you will make the final ascent tonight. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit

Day 5: Barafu Hut Campsite / Uhuru Peak / Mweka Campsite

  • Elevation :4620m to 5895m to 3100m
  • Distance :15 km
  • Hiking Time :12-14 hours
  • Habitat: Desert and ice.

Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. The trails is a series of switchbacks up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 5 AM. At this point you will be having the views of the fabled crater and its glaciers facing you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here you will spend some times for taking photo’s but it will depend on how you feel. After your summit activities done, you will descend back to the Barafu campsite, for lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka campsite, Dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Mweka campsite to Mweka gate

  • Elevation:3100m to 1700m
  • Distance :
  • Hiking Time :3-4 hours
  • Habitat: Montane Forest.

Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. Here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well-deserved celebration.

Day 7: Departure – Tanzania

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. After a good night’s rest at your hotel, you will take breakfast ready for the scheduled check-out by 10.00. (If you wish to remain in the hotel during the day, please advise us of this when you book your trip and we will inform you of the cost for day room which ends at 18:00hrs, and then make the booking on your behalf.)

If you have booked a transfer to the airport, you will be collected from your hotel and dropped off at the airport. For those travelers who have booked to go on safari, our Kilele Climb guide will be meeting you in the evening to provide you with a pre-safari briefing.

*Safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.

For climbers, we offer two different packages to choose from, depending on your needs and preferences. Our ‘Standard Package’ provides good and safe service at an affordable rate, while our ‘Deluxe Package’ offers a higher level of comfort and superior service delivery, including luxurious hotel accommodation and personalized safety features.

Standard Package

The standard climb is an optimal choice for most travelers, as it strikes a balance between affordability and high-quality service. This package includes standard hotel accommodation, top-notch mountain support from expert guides and porters, who will take care of all your luggage and equipment, set up tents, cook meals, and handle any issues that may arise during the hike. The menu served on the hike is diverse, featuring a first course, a second course with a variety of meat and fish, a rich selection of drinks and starters, fresh vegetables, and fruits.

This climb promises to be a pleasurable journey to the summit of Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa. It offers an exceptional experience that combines adventure with comfort, and ensures that travelers can focus on the awe-inspiring natural beauty that surrounds them.

Deluxe Package

The Deluxe Package is designed for climbers who value comfort and safety as they ascend Kilimanjaro. This premium package offers a wide range of amenities and accommodations at the best hotels in the region. Our ultimate level of service guarantees an unforgettable experience during your Tanzanian expedition. In addition to all the benefits of the Standard Package, the Deluxe Package provides extra conveniences and superior accommodations at top-rated hotels. Our commitment to excellence and unparalleled expertise ensures that your journey to Tanzania will be an unforgettable experience.

Safety
Standard Package
Deluxe Package
Fully-loaded medical Kits
 
 
Emergence oxygen tank
Pulse Oximeter: To conduct a daily measurement of oxygen levels for each climber.
ALTOX Personal Oxygen System
A stretcher or a Litter fully rigid steel frame.
The Gamow Bag: A hyperbaric chamber (portable altitude chamber) for emergency situations.
VHF handheld radios: Carried on each trek for easy communication between guides, camp managers, and the office.
The rescue fee in the mountains.
Management and Safety Procedures
Medical evacuation with AMREF Flying Doctors or Kilimanjaro Search and Rescue.
 
 
 
Health and Meals on the Mountain
Standard Package
Deluxe Package
All meals while on the Mountain
Fresh, healthy, and nutritious foods in large portions
Clean, purified drinking water
Champagne on Summit
Warm water for washing every-day
Individual washbasins are provided for each trekker and guest upon arrival at the campsite.
Private Portable flush toilet
 
 
 
Camping Equipment & Accommodation
Standard Package
Deluxe Package
4 Season mountain tents, Double layered Sleeping Mats, Crew tents, Mess tent and Toilet tents
Large aluminum chairs with backs and armrests, Aluminum Tables, High powered solar LED lights
Sleeping Bags
Accommodation – Bed and Breakfast
Full board Accommodation – Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Standard hotel accommodations for 2 nights; one night before and one night after the trek.
Comfort hotel accommodations for 2 nights; one night before and one night after the trek.
 
 
 
Transport & Other Inclusions
Standard Package
Deluxe Package
Arrival and Departure transfers
Return Transportation in Destination Location
All Government Taxes and all Park fees
Professional experience mountain guides and porters
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
A personal Porter to carry your day-pack during summit attempt

Standard Package Pricing

  • Price Rates Per Person in US$. The prices in other currencies are given for comparison only.
Hiking Route/Days
1 Pax
2 Pax
3 Pax
4 Pax
5 Pax
6 Pax
7 Pax
8 Pax
9+ Pax
6 Days Machame Route
$ 1,850
$ 1,730
$ 1,720
$ 1,700
$ 1,690
$ 1,650
$ 1,630
$ 1,605
$ 1,505

Deluxe Package Pricing

  • Price Rates Per Person in US$. The prices in other currencies are given for comparison only.
Hiking Route/Days
1 Pax
2 Pax
3 Pax
4 Pax
5 Pax
6 Pax
7 Pax
8 Pax
9+ Pax
6 Days Machame Route
$2,895
$ 2,380
$ 2,250
$2,150
$ 2,120
$2,050
$2,020
$1,960
$1,920
Tanzanian Residents pay 80% of rates & East African Citizens pay 60% of rates.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

  • Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International airport to the hotel in Moshi/Arusha.
  • 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi/Arusha (before and after the climb bed and breakfast)
  • Return transportation from Moshi/from the starting/finishing point on the mountain.
  • Qualified guides with mountain crew
  • All national park fees
  • Hut/camping fees
  • 4 Season mountain tents
  • Double layered Sleeping Mats
  • Mess tent (for dining) Mini camping chairs/Tables/Candles
  • Rescue fees
  • Pulse oximeters & Portable oxygen tanks
  • First aid kit
  • 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
  • Enough treated &filtered drinking water throughout the trek
  • Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
  • Government taxes
  • Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation and entry fees on the mountain.

EXCLUDED FROM THE PRICE:

  • Meals and drinks not specified
  • Gear for your climb
  • Items of personal nature
  • Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included
  • Visas
  • Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charge $90$ for entire trek.
  • Flights
  • Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain htt://www.kiliporters.org/ tipping_recommendations.php
  • Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (not per climber)
  • Guides: 20$-30$ /day/guide
  • Cook: 15$-20$/ day
  • Porter: 7$-10$/day/porter

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