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Kilimanjaro – Machame Route (6 Days)

5 Days 10 People Max Trip Start: Arusha Trip End: Arusha
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All you need to know about summiting mount Kilimanjaro through Machame Route

African Traits also offer a Memorable 6 days climb to Kilimanjaro via the Machame route. The Machame route also referred to as the Whiskey route, is one of the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro and a favorite for us. Machame route is one of the highest summit success rates given the topography and nature, which allows climbers to “trek high & sleep low” hence making it a more favorable route for acclimatization. This route offers some of the most spectacular scenery while on the mountain. The Machame route starts on the southwest side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Lemosho routes just after the Shira cave camp. The Machame route can be done in a minimum of 6 days but a 7 days trek is recommended to allow climbers to be well-rested and acclimatized before making the final ascent to the summit.

Price

USD 1,825/pp

Arrive in Tanzania

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged 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. Gear, which is missing, can be rented on this day. The hotel is a bed & Breakfast

Hotel: Bed & Breakfast basis

Day 1: Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)

One hour’s drive from Moshi lies the gate to the Machame route, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters, and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforests. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.

Distance covered:10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 2: Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)

Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.

Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 3: Shira Cave (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)

Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach, and finally reach camp The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.

Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)

Our day starts by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley, which is our last stop for fresh water before the summit. Scree now forms the terrain as we walk through arid and desolate land towards Barafu camp.

Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 5: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Mweka Camp (3100m)

We start off at around midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views of the jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Mweka Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Distance covered: 16.4km / 9.6mi
Approx. time taken: 13 hours – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 6: Trek Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower and then celebrate with cold drinks. Overnight at your arranged Hotel

Distance covered: 9.1km / 7.5miles
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Hotel: Bed & Breakfast

Depart Tanzania

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.

Meals: Breakfast Included

Included

  • Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
  • 18% VAT on Tour fees & services
  • 4 Season mountain Gears
  • Double layered Sleeping Mats
  • Transportation to & from the mountain gate
  • Professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters
  • 3 meals daily while on the mountain
  • Filtered water throughout the trek
  • Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the Hotel in Moshi
  • Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
  • 2- way private airport transfers

Excluded

  • International Flights
  • Tips to mountain crew (Guide, Cooks & Porters)
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Laundry Services
  • A doctor for the group if Needed
  • Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra (US$70 per toilet + toilet tent)

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