6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour, Machame Route - Expeditions Maasai Safaris
Starting from
$1,790.00International Rate (USD)
Safari Overview
Kilimanjaro's Machame route is one of the most popular routes to take when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. This is because it is a very scenic route while also being more budget-friendly than some of the longer hikes. As such, the traffic on this route is denser than on others. Popularly known as the whisky route, the 6-day Kilimanjaro climbing tour through the Machame route is a little tougher than other routes (such as the Marangu Route). However, the success rate for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro using the Machame route is higher!
This route takes you through dense rainforest to Shira Plateau, past the lava tower and Barranco Hut, then onto Barafu before you summit. You will descend via a different route, the Mweka Route.
Accommodation: On the mountain, you will be staying overnight at tented campsites. Expeditions Maasai Safaris can organize accommodation for you the night before and after, as well as the transport to and from your accommodation both days.
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Day-by-Day Itinerary
Machame Gate (1,800 m/5,905 ft) - Machame Camp (3,000 m/9,842 ft)
Hiking Time: 9 km, taking 5-7 hours Terrain: Mountain forest, heather, and moorland zone Your trek to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro will start at the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gates. Here you will meet your guide and porters, who will be your family for the next week! When your registers, packed and ready to go, your guide will lead you through a winding trail through the rainforest to your first camp, Machame Camp, where you will have dinner and spend the night. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Machame Camp (3,000 m/9,842 ft) – Shira Camp (3,500 m/11,483 ft)
Hiking Time: 7 km, taking 7 hours Terrain: Heather and moorland In the morning, you will leave the glades of the rainforest and make your way past a valley along a rocky ridge to the end of the ridge. Your path leads you to a river gorge where you will make camp for the night. Here at Shira Camp, some groups will stay an extra night to acclimatize; you, however, will press on in the morning to the next camp. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Shira Camp (3,500 m/11,483 ft) - Lava Tower (4,630 m/15,190 ft) - Barranco Camp (3,960 m/12,992 ft)
Hiking Time: 10 km, taking 6-8 hours Terrain: Heather and moorland Today, you will see many different things on your hike upward! From the Shira Plateau, you will make your way towards Kibo Peak. On your way, you will pass the Lava Tower, followed by the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 meters. You will then descend to the Barraco camp, where you will have dinner and camp for the night. This day is important for acclimatisation. Even though you camp at a similar elevation to your previous night, you will have reached a great height today! Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Barranco Camp (3,960 m/12,992 ft) – Barafu Camp (4,640 m/15,223 ft)
Hiking Time: 8 km taking 8 hours Terrain: Heather, moorland, and alpine desert zone Today is a day full of breathtaking views. In the morning you will ascend the Barranco Wall before trekking across rock and ridges to the Karanga Valley. Here you will be met with breathtaking views of the Western Breach and southern glacier. From there, having completed the Southern Circuit and seen every angle of the summit, you will continue to your next campsite, the Barafu Camp. Some choose to spend an extra day in the Karanga valley area to further acclimatize. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Barafu Camp (4,640 m/15,223 ft) - Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,341 ft) - Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft)
Hiking Time: 19 km taking 13-15 hours Terrain: Alpine desert, snow, heather, and moorland Today is the day! You’ll awake before midnight to start your 6-hour ascent. The climb will take you past the final waypoint, Hans Meyer point (5,888 m/19,318 ft) after which you will reach the summit of Uhuru Peak. You have finally done it! You have reached the highest point on in Africa at 5,895m/19,341 ft. This achievement will be tough to top, that’s for sure. After a moment of basking in your triumph, you will start your descent down past Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp. Here you will enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and some well-earned sleep. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,171 ft) – Mweka Gate (1,680 m/5,512 ft)
Hiking Time: 10 km taking 3-4 hours Terrain: Heather, moorland, and montane forest After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.
Inclusive
- Pick up from your hotel in Moshi
- Accommodation for 5 nights
- Meals on Full Board (both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals)
- Services of a highly professional trained safari guide
- National park and concession fees
- Climbing safety equipment
Exclusive
- International airfare and related costs, such as personal travel insurance, visas, and vaccinations
- Any increase in government taxes that occur prior to the start of your trip
- Any expenses of a personal nature such as extra beverages, laundry, etc
- Gratuity for your guides
- Personal climbing gear
- Oxygen box
- Portable toilets