Machame Route
This route is the most popular route, and the second easiest after the Marangu route. It is nicknamed “the Whisky route” referred to the level of difficulty while the Marangu route is nicknamed as the “Coca Cola route”. This route will expose you to the very diverse nature of Kilimanjaro while enjoying a smooth and gradual acclimatization process.
Via the Machame route, you will manage to climb to the top in 5 days, although it is possible to tailor it to suit your preferences.
Duration: 6 days
Tour Type: Trekking / Mountain Camps
Route Itinerary
Day 1: Machame Gate (1,800m) - Machame Camp (3,000m)
After breakfast in your hotel, you will be transferred to Machame Gate ready to start your trekking. You will walk through tropical rainforests, grasslands and wildflowers. The Kibo Peak will be visible at one point on the way. Your trekking will lead you to Machame Camp for dinner and accommodation.
Day 2: Machame Camp (3,000m) - Shira Camp (3,840m)
After breakfast at Machame Camp, you continue with your trekking. You will walk through lush forest canopies towering above, vast golden savannah plains below, and a sight of the jagged volcanic peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. Your trekking will lead you to Shira Camp for dinner and accommodation.
Day 3: Shira Camp (3,840m) - Barranco Camp (3,950m)
After breakfast at Shira Camp, you continue with your trekking. You will hike eastwards towards the gorgeous Shira Plateau along ever-steeper terrain, where you will walk through an incredible 300 ft tall volcanic plug that transforms into a looming passageway. Your trekking will lead you to Barranco Camp for dinner and accommodation.
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,950m) - Barafu Camp (4,600m)
After breakfast at Barranco Camp, you continue with your trekking. This is the day before your final ascent, and it is filled with thrilling exploration and adventure. The morning will start with an invigorating 90-minute climb up the Barranco Wall, which is popularly known as the Breakfast Wall. Afterwards, you will enjoy the green Karanga Valley, before encountering different kinds of Glaciers. Your trekking will lead you to Barafu Camp for dinner and accommodation.
Day 5: Barafu Camp (4,600m) - Uhuru Peak (5,895m) - Mweka Camp (3,100m)
This is a day where attempts to reach the top point of Kilimanjaro will be made. The attempt will begin in the wee hours of the morning while the ice screen is still frozen. After successfully reaching the peak, you will have time to appreciate the moment of being on top of Africa and taking some souvenir pictures before you start the descent to Barafu Camp, for a hot, steaming breakfast, before descending to Mweka Camp for dinner and accommodation.
Day 6: Mweka Camp (3,100m) - Mweka Gate (1,500m)
After breakfast at Mweka Camp, you will continue to descend towards Mweka gate. The Arona Safari transporting car will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, depending on your further plans, for a shower and a goodbye meal.
Options:
- Add a visit to Arusha National Park
- Add an extra night at any location
- Book a city tour of Arusha
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