6 Days Machame Route

Tour Overview

Machame Route has a nick name “Whiskey Route”, and despite the fact that is relatively short, it is not easy to climb. It is not technically difficult, but it is pretty strenuous, with many steep trails that require extra strength and physical condition to pass. But, Machame is very rewarding route, with spectacular sceneries such are Lava Tower, Barranco Wall, Shira Plateu which is why this route is considered the most scenic one. The route starts at Machame Gate, and thru the beautiful rainforest, heading West around Kibo. There are 6 and 7 day options to trek this route, but note that the shorter one does not include acclimatization day to get used to the high altitude conditions. Machame is also the route where you spend the nights in tents, and requires a lot of strengths to complete. Descend is at Mweka gate.

How fit do you need to be to climb Kilimanjaro?

Taking on the challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro is no small feat, primarily due to the high altitude, the pace of ascent, and the varying temperatures you’ll encounter. On an average day of the trek, you can expect to hike for six to seven hours. However, if you maintain good health and fitness, reaching the summit is entirely achievable. There are several strategies you can employ to enhance your chances of success and ensure a rewarding experience throughout the journey.

First and foremost, patience is key. Avoid rushing your hike; allowing your body ample time to adapt and acclimatize is crucial for your well-being.
Preparation is essential. Being physically fit will significantly ease the climbing process. Engage in hiking several months prior to your expedition, focusing on multi-day hikes for optimal training.
Additionally, incorporating running and aerobic exercises into your routine will further prepare you for the ascent. Consider adding an extra day to your itinerary. It’s challenging to predict who might experience altitude sickness, but by extending your climb by an additional day, you can mitigate this risk. Spreading the trek over more days allows your body to acclimatize more effectively to the higher elevations. We strongly recommend this approach to maximize your chances of reaching the summit.

BOOK THIS TREK

Included

Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
All meals while on the Mountain
Arrival and Departure transfers
Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Clean, purified drinking water
Crisis management and safety procedures
Rescue fees
All national park fees
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Flying Doctors insurance (AMREF) during the safari

Excluded

Itinerary

Day 0: ARRIVAL - DRIVE TO MOSHI
Day 1: DRIVE FROM MOSHI TO MACHAME GATE 1490M - HIKE TO MACHAME CAMP 2980M
Day 2: MACHAME CAMP 2980M TO SHIRA CAMP 3840M
Day 3: SHIRA 3840M TO LAVA TOWER 4630M TO BARRANCO CAMP 3950M
Day 4: BARRANCO CAMP 3950M - BARAFU CAMP 4550M
Day 5: SUMMIT ATTEMPT FROM BARAFU CAMP 4550M TO UHURU PEAK 5895M THEN DOWN TO MWEKA 3100M
Day 6: MWEKA CAMP 3100M - MWEKA GATE 1980M. DRIVE TO MOSHI

Day 0

ARRIVAL - DRIVE TO MOSHI

Welcome to Tanzania: Meet and greet at arrival point by our transferring driver who will escort you to the waiting vehicle for loading your luggage then drive you to the Hotel in Moshi town. After checking in the hotel you will get a briefing about your next day’s trek then your mountain guide will check your gears. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing at the pool or exploring the town of Moshi.

ACCOMMODATIO

Sellinero Hotel

Day 1

DRIVE FROM MOSHI TO MACHAME GATE 1490M - HIKE TO MACHAME CAMP 2980M

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to the Machame gate. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your waiting lounge registering with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the lookout for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! About halfway up the trail, you will have a lunch break and you will reach the Machame Camp (2980) in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chefs who move very fast up the mountain will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served followed by overnight. The Machame Route 6 Days starts here.

MEALS

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

ACCOMMODATION

Machame camp

Day 2

MACHAME CAMP 2980M TO SHIRA CAMP 3840M

You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast, you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike, you will reach the Shira campsite at 3 840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.

ACCOMMODATION

Shira Camp

Day 3

Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

The route now turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m). This is definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner.

ACCOMMODATION

Barranco Camp

Day 4

BARRANCO CAMP 3950M - BARAFU CAMP 4550M

After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome-looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than what you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you reach Barafu Hut. The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. 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. Go to bed at about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.

ACCOMMODATION

Barafu Camp

Day 5

SUMMIT ATTEMPT FROM BARAFU CAMP 4550M TO UHURU PEAK 5895M THEN DOWN TO MWEKA 3100M

You will wake up around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers, this 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) 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 will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared. Summit attempt of Machame Route 6 Days.

ACCOMMODATION

Mweka Camp

Day 6

MWEKA CAMP 3100M - MWEKA GATE 1980M. DRIVE TO MOSHI

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations. End of Machame Route 6 Days.

MEALS

Breakfast and Lunch

ACCOMMODATION

Sellinero Hote

prices

	1 Pax	2 Pax	3 Pax	4 Pax	5 Pax	6 Pax	7 Pax	8 Pax	9 Pax	10 Pax
Marangu 6 days	$2,081	$1,651	$1,541	$1,473	$1,472	$1,436	$1,446	$1,421	$1,401	$1,386
Marangu 7 days	$2,385	$1,958	$1,817	$1,738	$1,738	$1,813	$1,707	$1,679	$1,661	$1,647
Marangu 8 days	$2,723	$2,096	$2,063	$1,976	$1,978	$1,953	$1,925	$1,913	$1,903	$1,896

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