6 days Kilimanjaro climb via Machame route

(6DAYS IN THE MOUNTAIN)

The Machame route, also known as the Whiskey route, is one of the most scenic routes and the most popular route nowadays. This route is more used than other routes, but more strenuous and involves camping at basic campsites throughout the trek. The start of this route involves a gradual climb through the rain forest, from 1,800 to 3,000 meters. The summit attempt is a long day, involving about 12 hours walking, most of it during the night.

Accommodation

You will spend two nights at Kiliwonders hotel before and after the climb. The room would be shared per two people, also in the mountain the tent would be shared per two people as well.

DETAILED ITINERARY:

Day 1:Arrivals Day

We will meet and drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to your hotel in Moshi and rest for a while. Afterward, you will meet your guide for gear checking and briefing about the mountain. Also, your guide will go through your group camping gear and demonstrate the use and operation of all equipment, especially emergency oxygen cylinder and pulse ox meter and explain signs and symptoms of various mountain sicknesses which might happen while trekking.

Day 2: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. You leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. You will continue a short distance until you reach the Machame Camp.

• Machame Gate to Machame Camp

• Elevation : 1800m to 3000m

• Distance: 11 kilometers

• Hiking time: five to seven hours

• Habitat: Rain forest

Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

After breakfast, you will leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

• Machame Camp to Shira Camp

• Elevation : 3000m to 3750m

• Distance: 5 kilometers

• Hiking time: four to six hours

• Habitat: Moorland

Day 4: Shira Camp via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

From the Shira Plateau, you will continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, your direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Where you will break for the lunch.

You will continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3940m/13,000 feet. Here you will rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the almost same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

• Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

• Elevation: 3750m to 4600m and descend to 3940m

• Distance: 10 kilometers

• Hiking time: six to eight hours

• Habitat: Semi-desert

Day 5: Barranco Camp via Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

After breakfast, you will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite for lunch break. Then, you will leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. You will continue up to the Barafu Hut.

At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here you can make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

• Elevation: 3940m to 4673m

• Distance: 9 kilometers

• Hiking time: eight to nine hours

• Habitat: Alpine desert

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit and descend to Mweka Hut

Very early in the morning at 12:00 a.m, you will continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (5756m/18880 feet), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your one-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak 5895m/19340ft, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, you will now make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, you will enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

• Elevation: 4673m to 5895m and descend to 3100m

• Distance: 5 kilometers ascent and 12 kilometers descent

• Hiking time: seven to eight hours ascent and four to six hours descent

• Habitat: Arctic

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi

After breakfast, you will continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. 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). Our vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate and we will drive you back to the hotel in Moshi for hot shower and beer.

• Elevation :3100m to 1640m

• Distance: 10 kilometers

• Hiking time: three to four hours

• Habitat: Rain forest

Day 8: We will pick you from your hotel in Moshi and drive to Kilimanjaro airport for departures or join us for Safaris

What's included

• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Moshi (One night before trek and another night after trek)

• 5 nights camping accommodation

• Airport transfer on arrivals and departures

• All camping equipment such as sleeping tent, sleeping mattress mess tent, camping chairs and table

• All government taxes

• Amref flying doctors

• All park entrance and camping fees

• All transfers from Moshi to Kilimanjaro National Park and back to Moshi

• Emergency oxygen cylinder

• Meals and soft drink

• Salaries of guide, cook, and porters

What's not included

• Extra overnight at the hotel

• Immunization documents

• International and local flights

• Personal equipment such as boot, backpack, sleeping bag, etc.

• Personal expenses

• Tips for Kilimanjaro crew (Recommended)

• Travel insurances

• Visa fees (100USD for American citizen and 50USD for non American)

• Excess luggage over 15kgs