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7 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

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    Itinerary

    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
    Dinner

    ACCOMMODATIO

    Sellinero Hotel

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    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 7 Days starts here.

    ACCOMMODATION

    Machame Camp

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    Day 2

    MACHAME CAMP 2980M TO SHIRA CAMP 3840M

    After early morning breakfast, you will start your ascent leaving the rain forest and entering the heathland moorland vegetation. You will cross many streams and walk over a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau that leads to Shira Camp (3840m). At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and its glaciers in the East. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.

    ACCOMMODATION

    Shira Camp

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    Day 3

    SHIRA CAMP (3840M) TO LAVA TOWER (4630M) TO BARRANCO CAMP (3950M)

    Following an early morning breakfast, you will leave the moorland environment and enter the semi-desert and rocky landscape. After 5 hours of walking east, you will become face to face with the Lava Tower (4630m). Packed lunches are served at the Tower and hikers have the option of climbing the massive Lava Tower weather permitting. At this point of the hike, it is normal for hikers to start feeling the effects of the altitude including headaches and shortness of breath.
    After lunch, you will descend from Lava Tower (4630m) to the Barranco Campsite (3950m). The 6800m descent gives hikers a huge advantage to allow their bodies to adjust to the conditions of high altitude. The descent to camp takes around 2 hours to reach. It is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall (“Breakfast Wall”). Drinking and washing water and dinner will be served as hikers view the sun setting.

    ACCOMMODATION

    Barranco Camp

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    Day 4

    BARRANCO CAMP (3950M) TO KARANGA CAMP (3950M)

    After early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. This is an ideal hiking day for acclimatization.
    Keep on Machame Route 7 Days.

    ACCOMMODATION

    Karanga Camp

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    Day 5

    KARANGA CAMP (3959M) TO BARAFU CAMP (4600M)

    Following breakfast, you will leave Karanga Camp (3959m). The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu Camp (4550m). The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!

    ACCOMMODATION

    Barafu Camp

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    Day 6

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

    Your guide will wake you up around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest and you will ascend over stone scree. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In about 6 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5685m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 2 hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours. At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Mweka Hut (3100m). The Mweka Trail will lead you through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp. Summit attempt of Machame Route 7 Days

    ACCOMMODATION

    Mweka Camp

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    Day 7

    MWEKA CAMP (3100M) TO 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 7 Days

    ACCOMMODATION

    Selinero Hotel / Airport

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    prices

    1 Pax2 Pax3 Pax4 Pax5 Pax6 Pax7 Pax8 Pax9 Pax10 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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