6 Days – Machame Route, Kilimanjaro

Description & Routing

At its 5,895 m Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and is often known as ‘The rooftop of Africa’. Mount Kilimanjaro towers nearby Moshi in Tanzania.

The Machame route also known as the whiskey route, it is one of the most liked routes of Mount Kilimanjaro, it takes its name whiskey from its difficulty level compared to other routes of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The Machame route offers a great varied scenery of the mountain, as it ascends and descends on different sides of the mountain i.e Western and northern sides respectively. In addition to that you will be able to see stunning physical features on this route i.e the Shira plateau, the Lava tower and the Baranco wall.

This route takes a minimum of 6 days to complete however some prefer to take the 7 days option for better acclimatization. The Machame route has a total length of 62 km.

The Machame route is steeper especially on the first and a half day resulting from the main force of the kibos volcanic activity occurring on the western side. This route is ideal for adventure enthusiasts looking for a more challenging yet rewarding experience.

Day 1 (Machame Gate 1,790 m – Machame Camp 3,010 m):

In the morning depart Mount Kilimanjaro National Park.

Distance: 11 km

Hiking time: 5-7 hrs

Habitat: Rain forest

Day 2 (Machame Camp 3,010 m  – Shira Caves 3,840 m):

Depart after breakfast for Shira Caves.

Distance: 5 km

Hiking time: 4-6 hrs

Habitat: Moorland

Day 3 (Shira Caves 3,840 m –  Barranco Camp 3,960 m):

After breakfast depart for Barranco Camp.

Distance: 10 km

Hiking time: 6-8 hrs

Habitat: Semi desert

Day 4 (Barranco Camp 3,960 m – Barafu Camp 4,640 m):

Depart after breakfast for Barafu Camp.

Distance: 8-10 km

Hiking time: 5 hrs

Habitat: Alpine desert

Day 5 (Barafu Cmap 4,640 m – Uhuru Peak 5,895 m – Mweka Camp 3,080 m):

An early start at around  01:00hrs to climb steeply to the great summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak.

Ascending distance: 5 km

Ascending hiking time: 6-8 hrs

Ascending habitat: Arctic

Descending distance: 12 km

Ascending hiking time: 4-6 hrs

Ascending habitat: Alpine desert and Moorland

Day 6 (Mweka Camp 3,080 m – Mweka Gate 1,630 m):

After breakfast depart for Mweka gate.

Distance: 20 km

Hiking time: 3-4 hrs

Habitat: Rain forest

At arrival at the Mweka Gate you will be transferred to your hotel in Moshi.

MAP

Inclusive Of:

• Pick up and drop off from Moshi/Arusha on the date of climb.
• 3 meals a day on the climb.
• Government Taxes.
• Porters, chef and guide.
• Park fees, Fees for the huts, Fees for armed rangers
• Equipment for the huts (except own sleeping bags available for hire $35 per trip)
• Bottled Water (on day one).

Exclusive Of:

• Tipping to the guide and porters.
• Airport transfers (Available upon request)
• Travel Insurance.
• Accommodation before and after the climb (can be arranged for)

Booking