7 Days Machame Route – Kilimanjaro Climbing
Machame route, also known as the Whisky route, has become very popular due to the high level of acclimatization and best chance of reaching to the top. This is camping route which offers spectacular views of various landscapes such as Mt Meru, Pare Mountains and Lake Chala.
Acclimatization Day: optional in our packages. Let us know if you are interested in an extra day before trekking.
Day 1: Hotel – Machame Gate – Machame Campsite
Elevation: 1200m to 1700m to 3000m.
Distance: 13 km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours.
Habitat: Montane forest.
After breakfast our vehicle will transport you from the hotel drive to Machame gate. Here you will do the required registration procedures then you will start the trek through the rainforest to Machame camp where you will find the tents are already setup for you. Dinner and overnight at the campsite
Day 2:Machame Hut Campsite to Shira Campsite
Elevation: 3000m to 3800m
Distance: 9km
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
After breakfast leave the glades of rainforest and continue ascending by crossing little valleys and steep rocky ridge covering with heather plants to the western side of the mountain where the camp is situated. At this camp you will able get the spectacular view of Mount Meru, Shira Plateau, Kibo Peak and sunset; then dinner and overnight
Day 3: Shira Campsite to Barranco Campsite
Elevation: 3800m to 3950m.
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
This is long and important acclimatization day so you will be having an early breakfast then continue trekking east to a junction leading to Lava tower rock 4600m for acclimatization. Afterwards you will continue down to Barranco camp. The camp location is in the bottom valley of Barranco wall where you will stop for dinner and overnight.
Day 4:Barranco campsite to Karanga campsite
Elevation: 3950m to 3900m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
Habitat: Moorland
Today is short day walk. In the morning you will start climbing Barranco wall and reach 4200m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga campsite for hot lunch. After lunch you will have a bit of rest and get another acclimatization of trekking up the scree slopes towards the southern ice field. You will then return to the camp for supper and overnight.
Day 5:Karanga campsite to Barafu campsite
Elevation: 3900m to 4620m.
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
On this day, the trek up to the Barafu ridge campsite is tough because of altitude. The walk take few hours because of the short distance but are steep needing a slow pace to avoid fatigue. You will trek across an alpine desert. Chances are that a strong, cold wind will be blowing from Kibo peak and its ice. You will have an early dinner at 1700hrs then rest until midnight when we you will attack the summit
Day 6:Barafu Hut Campsite / Uhuru Peak / Mweka Campsite Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 10 – 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice.
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. The trails is a series of switchbacks up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 5 AM. At this point you will be having the views of the fabled crater and its glaciers facing you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here you will spend some times for taking photo’s but it will depend on how you feel. After your summit activities done, you will descend back to the Barafu campsite, for lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka campsite. Dinner and overnight at Mweka campsite
Day 7:Mweka campsite to Mweka gate
Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest.
Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. Here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well deserved celebration.
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