Trip Description
The Machame Route, also called the Whiskey Route, is perfect for the adventurous trekkers and it is one of the best routes up Kilimanjaro scenically. The Machame Route has stunning views and iconic diverse landscape offers an excellent experience for the mountain climbers. The route takes you through evergreen forest where some monkeys rumble, into heath and moorland, with its abundant ferns and ericas, until reaching the icy caps of the mountain top. It is a route which provides spectacular views of various landscapes such as Mount Meru, Pare and Usambara Mountains, Lake Chala and Lake Jipe. The 7 days Machame Route allows you to have one more extra day for acclimatization and ease off before the summit day. This will enhance your chances of reaching the summit. Overnights on the Machame Route will be in tents.
ITINERARY
Day 0: Arrival Day – Kilimanjaro International Airport
Upon arrival after finalizing the immigration formalities, you shall be warmly welcomed by our representative and will transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. Before sleeping, your Mountain Guide will meet you at your hotel for a Kilimanjaro climb briefing and mountain gears check.
Dinner and Overnight at Mount Meru Game Lodge
Day 1: Machame Gate (1800m) to Machame Camp (2835m)
After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha and drive 2 hours to Machame Gate for registration. While at the gate you will meet the rest of the crew (Cooks and Porters) getting ready for the memorable climbing. Once you leave the Machame Gate you will walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge until you reach the Machame Camp.
Dinner and Overnight at Machame Camp (2835m)
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance Covered: 11km / 6.8mi
Habitat: Montane Forest
Day 2: Machame Camp (2835m) to Shira Cave Camp (3750m)
After breakfast, you will leave Machame Camp through the glades of the rain forest and proceed to an ascending the dusty trail to a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather. It is a slow hike with plenty of stops and enough time to acclimatize. You will cross many ridges and spot the first of many Senecias. The route then turns west onto a ridge gorge onto the Shira Camp.
Dinner and Overnight at Shira Cave Camp (3750m)
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance Covered: 5km /3.1mi
Habitat: Moorland
Day 3: Shira Cave Camp (3750m) to Barranco Camp (3900m)
From the Shira Plateau, you will continue to the east up a ridge eventually crossing the lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth" Soon after the Lava tower stops for lunch, you come to the second junction which brings you up to the Arrow Glacier and continuing on to the dusty and rocky trails to Barranco Campsite.
Dinner and Overnight at Barranco Camp (3900m)
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours walking Distance Covered: 10km / 6.2mi
Habitat: Semi Desert
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3900m) to Karanga Camp (3995m)
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads to the trail on the southeastern side of Kibo, along the southern ice fields. As this is very steep, you will be using your hands to reach and steady yourself like rock climbing, although not a technical climb. You will enjoy the unique vegetation as you traverse from the moorlands to the high alpine desert. From the top of the wall, there is only a short distance to the Karanga Camp.
Dinner and Overnight at Karanga Camp (3995m) the last water point on the way to the summit.
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance Covered: 5km / 3.1mi
Habitat: Alpine desert
Day 5: Karanga Camp (3995m) to Barafu Hut (4673m)
After breakfast we follow an easy path on compacted earth, with wide views, as we gain altitude to reach the Barafu Hut for lunch. This will be short but steep uphill climb across the barren landscape with lots of boulders and shattered rocks. You will witness the decken glaciers on your left. Our next camp will be on large rocks with very steep cliff faces. We will catch some sleep early as we have to wake up at 11:00 pm for the summit.
Dinner and Overnight at Barafu Hut (4673m) Hiking Time: 3-5 hours walking
Distance Covered: 4 km /2.5mi
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 6: Summit Day (4673m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)
We will start the climb at around midnight depending on the fitness and speed of the climbers, so that we can be up on the crater rim by sunrise. We will start very steep rocks for 1 hour, and enter a snow-covered area where you can see glaciers above. If it is a full moonlight night, you may turn off your headlamp and proceed a moon light guided walk; indeed a wonderful experience. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree and nice graded zig-zags and slow but steady pace will take us to Stella point where the lava fields are like loose sand (5756m). We will have a short brake there to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. For those feeling strong will continue with 2 hours round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5895m). We will start our descent, which is steep and rigorous via Stella Point to Barafu Hut Camp for lunch, and after some refreshments, we proceed to descend to reach our final campsite at Mweka Camp.
Dinner and Overnight at Mweka Camp (3100m)
Distance Covered: 5km /3.1mi
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Stone Scree and ice-caped summit
Day 7: Mweka Campsite (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1640m)
Today's hike will take us about 4 to 5 hours to make the 3000m descent to the park's gate. We will check out and have lunch followed by a short ceremony with the porters congratulating you as you receive your certificate, issued at the gate. Afterward, we will drive through very beautiful coffee plantations and small villages of the Chagga tribe. You will be transferred to your hotel for relaxation and spa services all at your own pace.
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