Machame Route - 7 Days
The Machame route, also known as the "Whiskey" route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking or backpacking experience.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. The path leads hikers through the rain forest to Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro’s routes converge. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS® offers Machame as a seven day group climb or as a seven day private climb.
Day 1:
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. 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 Camp.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 10.8kms(6 hours)
Accommodation: Machame Camp
Day 2:
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
Meals: Breakast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 5.4kms (4-6 hours)
Accommodation: Shira Camp
Day 3:
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 13,000ft. 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 10.8kms (8-10 hours)
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Day 4:
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 5.5km (5 hours)
Accommodation: Karanga Camp
Day 5:
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, 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.
Meals: Breakast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 3kms (3 hours)
Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Day 6:
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You 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.At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will 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 may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you 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 camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. 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.
Meals: Breakast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 16.4kms (13-15 hours)
Meals: Mweka Camp
Day 7:
Mweka Camp to Moshi
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. 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 rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka gate. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Distance Covered: 9.1kms (3 hours)
1. We peak all travelers from Hotel
OR
2. Meet at the starting points ( Upinde street, Boma Road, Moshi ,Kilimanjaro Tanzania africa ) Burigi chato safaris Offices in moshi
ABOUT BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS CO L.T.D
We are a Tanzania Serengeti safari and Mount Kilimanjaro hiking operator based in Arusha and Moshi. We offer hiking, trekking and climbing in Kilimanjaro and Meru and safaris in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Arusha and Burigi Chato National Parks. We also arrange Masai Mara and Amboseli safaris from Nairobi in Kenya as well as Zanzibar beach holidays in Stone Town, Nungwi and Kendwa Beach.
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