Trip Overview
The 7 days Machame Route is specifically designed to give you enough time to acclimatize and summit safely, giving you an upper hand over the 6-day Machame Route variant. The Machame route which goes by the popular nickname, the “Whiskey” route, is probably the most popular route used to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Machame’s advantage and strong point is the fact that the trail’s environment offers unmatched scenic beauty.
This route, however, is a big favorite for those seeking adventure as it is more challenging, steep, and difficult compared to the other routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, therefore it is recommended that climbers plying this route should at least have previous trekking experience in high altitudes. Since the Machame Route is shorter, it is suitable for climbers that need a few days of climbing and those that do not have enough time on their hands otherwise the longer the route, the higher the summit success rate.
Arrive in Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport or similar to begin your 8-day Lemosho Route trek, where you will be met by our representatives. Transfer to Chanya Lodge and meet with your climbing manager and guide for a thorough briefing and equipment check. Chanya Lodge or similar is where you’ll spend the night.
Detailed Itinerary
Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft
Distance: 11 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Starting point: The starting point for the 7-day Machame route is at the Machame Gate.
We begin the 7 days Machame route by driving to the Machame gate from Moshi town for about less than an hour, around 49 minutes to be precise. The drive takes you through the Machame Village located on the foot slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Once we reach the Machame gate, the starting point of the hike, we take a hike that traverses the dense rainforest zone on a trail that leads up to a ridge until we join our overnight camp of the day, the Machame Camp.
Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Heath
We begin our hike towards the Shira Ridge after bypassing the rainforest zone towards the Shira Plateau located at the heath and moorland zone of Mount Kilimanjaro. The day ends as we head to camp and overnight at the Shira 2 Camp across a river gorge.
Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance: 3 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
The third-day trek takes us to the lava tower, a gigantic rock formation that stands about 1km tall located to the eastern side of Mount Kilimanjaro near a ridge. Bypassing the Senecio located 3,962 m (13,000 ft) high forest which offers the much-needed beautiful view, we descend to the Barranco Camp for your overnight stay and dinner. The location of the Barranco Campsite at a high elevation helps in acclimatization.
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We leave the Barranco camp in the morning to start our hiking day by going down a gulley just below the great Baranco Wall. We ascend the Barranco Wall, a steep 274m (900ft) high cliff that doesn’t necessarily demand any technicality.
After ascending the Barranco Wall we traverse a chain of hills interwoven with valleys until we reach the Karanga valley. We head over to our overnight camp of the day for dinner and some sleep at the Karanga Camp, located a steep climb away from the Karanga Valley. This day is reserved for acclimatization.
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We start our trek on day five by heading to where our trail and the Mweka trail connect then proceed towards the rocky terrain that leads us to Barafu hut camp.
Reaching Barafu hut marks the end of Mount Kilimanjaro’s southern circuit which is famous for offering magnificent 360-degree and panoramic views of Kibo Peak and its main summit, the Uhuru Peak.
At Barafu camp is where we set camp for our rest and dinner before attempting our last push to the summit of the mountain. Two of the three main peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mawenzi Peak, and Kibo peak, are clearly visible from this camp.
Summit Day: Barafu Camp-Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short breaks near Stella Point (18,900 ft) you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
Descending the mountain using the 7 days Machame Route
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
7 Days Machame Route’s descent is done via a different route than the ascent route.
Descending the mountain via the Machame route uses the Mweka Route and on our last day of the 7-day Kilimanjaro Machame route package, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and get awarded with our summit certificates. At the base of the mountain, it can be wet and muddy as it rains often. For about an hour or so we proceed to Mweka village from Mweka gate where our vehicle awaits to return us back to the hotel in Moshi Town.
Day 6 of the 7-day Machame Route expedition is set aside for a summit attempt, beginning around midnight.
Inclusions
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Arusha hotel
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents
- Sleeping Mattress
- All meals while on the Mountain (Good portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food)
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
Exclusions
- Tips for drivers and porters.
- Items of personal nature.
- Laundry services.
- Beverages/drinks.
- International flights.
- Visas.
- Hotel accommodations before and after safari.