The Machame route is also known as the Whiskey route, It is the route of choice for many people because it provides impressive views and a variety of habitats.
Machame route given its reputation for being a tough climb, in contrast to the easier Marangu route. 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 6 days (5 nights) on the mountain. However, it is most often tackled over seven days (six nights), for a better altitude acclimatization schedule. The success rate is significantly higher when using the 7 days route.
Machame is designed for those with average fitness. But, plenty of first time trekkers use the route as well and do just fine. It is rated as one of Kilimanjaro’s better routes and thus is recommended. It is certainly a better choice than the Marangu Route.
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.
WHY MACHAME ROUTE
• High summit success rates
• Extra day for acclimatization
• Incredibly scenic
• Diverse terrain
WHY 7 DAYS MACHAME ROUTE
• Beauty and remoteness (Scenery change from day to day)
• Higher success rate
• Avoids crowds.
ITINERARY OF 7 DAYS OF CLIMBING MACHAME ROUTE
9 DAYS MACHAME ROUTE (7 DAYS CLIMBING+ 2DAYS HOTEL)
DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO TANZANIA.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
DAY2: MACHAME GATE TO MACHAME HUT
Elevation: 1800M - 2835M
Distance: 10 Kilometers
Time: 5 Hours walking
Zone: Moorland
This is a fairly gentle introduction to climbing Kilimanjaro, which passes through some of the finest forest scenery to encircle the mountain. Ascending steadily on a straightforward path, you are transported through lush montane cloud forest to arrive at the Machame Hut on the edge of the health or moorland zone.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 3: MACHAME HUT TO SHIRA CAVE.
Elevation: 2835M – 3750M
Distance: 5 Kilometers
Time: 4 Hours walking
Zone: Moorland
Following an energetic start to the day and an aggressive ascent of a steep volcanic fin that juts out of the mountainside, the terrain levels and the path eases onto the Shira Plateau, an atmospheric, ancient part of Kilimanjaro.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY4: SHIRA CAVE TO BARRANCO HUT
Elevation: 3750M – 4600M – 3900M
Time: 7 Hours walking
Zone: Moorland
This is a superb day’s walking that showcases some of Kilimanjaro’s finest features. The path climbs across the Shira Plateau to a high point by Lava Tower, before dropping into the Barranco Valley to arrive at Barranco Hut, a mere 110m higher than the day’s start point. This climb-high, sleep-low approach to scaling Kilimanjaro maximizes your ability to acclimatize and improves your chance of successfully reaching the summit. The views of the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower and the western face of Kibo are sumptuous,
and the final campsite affords you with some of Kilimanjaro’s classic viewpoints.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 5: BARRANCO HUT TO KARANGA CAMP
Elevation: 3900M – 3995M
Distance: 6 Kilometers
Time: 4 Hours walking
Zone: Alpine desert
Start to climb up the Baranco wall which is 4200M for acclimatization for few minutes. Continue with the trail to reach Karanga Hut 3995M for the lunch and a long rest. Rest and have refreshments when you just waiting for the dinner.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 6: KARANGA HUT TO BARAFU CAMP
Elevation: 3995M - 4673M
Distance: 4 Kilometers
Time: 3 Hours walking
Zone: Alpine desert
Trek out the Karanga camp to reach Mweka junction 4500M.Proceed with the hike to join Mweka trail, which finally leads to Barafu hut. Take as much rest and drink water upon arrival to prepare your body for the final target. Dinner and overnight stay at the campsite. It’s recommended to sleep early by 19:00pm.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 7:Ascend to the Summit of Uhuru Peak (5895).
Distance: 5 Kilometers
Time: 6/7Hours walking
Zone: Alpine/Glacial zone
Wake up around 23:00 for adding more warm clothes and headlamp. Leave the campsite and start summiting by midnight into the glacial zone. The path leads to Stella point 5756M.Have time for the sunrise pictures and a short rest for 5 to 10 minutes while having water or hot tea at Stella point. For the climbers who have experienced AMS are advised to start descending down, however for those interested can take a round trip along the crater rim to reach Uhuru Peak 5895M.Proceed by descending down from the summit, have a short rest to the base camp again for 2 hours. Have some lunch, repack your gears and start to descend down to Mweka hut 3100M “pole pole” through Mweka route.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 8: Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate
Distance: 10 Kilometers
Time: 3 Hours walking
Zone: Rain forest
This is short, relatively swift final day that sees you descend the remaining distance through the forest to Mweka Gate. The forest section is lush and extremely picturesque. The track here used to be very narrow and after rainfall would degenerate rapidly into slippery trench. MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 9: Hotel to Kilimanjaro International Airport
After breakfast, you continue with your travel plans or take a transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.
Health & Safety is our first priority :
✔ We Climb Kilimanjaro Company we are a local owned company that we
are high consider health and safety of our customer before, during and
after climbing, these are:-
Before climbing:
✔ We book to the hotel that they provide high standard of safety in
terms of human health that is (food and shelter ) and considering
safety costumer’s properties
✔ We make sure that you are health worth for climbing. We check if
there is any medical recommendation from you're doctor so if any
can take special care of you.
During climbing :
✔ Constantly monitor your health: You can be fit and healthy at the
start of your climb, but altitude can affect your health as you
progress up the mountain. That’s why we constantly monitor your
health as you climb. Our expert guides can detect any problems
and take the necessary actions. Always health checks are conducted three times a day to measure
pulse, temperature, blood pressure and oxygen saturation
✔ We provide Nutritious food and safe water: we always follow good
food safety practices — from packing to plating
Good food and plenty of drinking water are essential ingredients,
both physically and psychologically, to make your climb
rewarding. At high altitudes, drinking a lot of water is essential
for your health and helps preventing altitude sicknesses. It goes
without saying that your body will also need plenty of food to
compensate for the unusual physical effort in climbing.
After climbing:
✔ If you will need any assistant after climbing, we are ready to
assist you.
✔ Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi;
✔ Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.
Accommodation:
✔ Accommodation at 3* hotel (Around Moshi) one night before and one night after the Climbing. You will have all for a
comfortable stay - friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool;
✔ Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season North Face VE-25 tents);
Please note: by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. If you travel solo on a group expedition,
we will room you with a same-sex participant. Single supplement is available upon request.
Meals:
✔ Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
✔ All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus.
Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
✔ All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).
Hiking and safety equipment:
✔ 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
✔ All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery);
✔ Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
✔ Complete medical kits.
Climbing crew:
✔ Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder
certification.
All of them have 7+years of successful experience;
✔ 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. We Climb Kilimanjaro is an honest and responsible tour operator working in
full compliance with the tax law of the
United Republic of Tanzania.
:
✘ International flights;
✘ Tips (200-300 USD per climber for the whole mountain crew);
✘ Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
✘ Personal gear rentals;
✘ Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb);
✘ Portable toilets (if required - 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3 people);
✘ Mountaineering insurance. You'll need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers
high-altitude trekking up to 6000 m.
