MACHAME ROUTE OVERVIEW

The Machame route, also referred to as the Whiskey route, is one of the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro and a favorite for us. Machame route is one of the highest summit success rates given the topography and nature of the route. This route climbers to “trek high & sleep low”, thus making it a more favorable route for acclimatization. This climb offers some of the most spectacular scenery while on the mountain. The Machame route starts in the south west side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Lemosho routes just after the Shira cave camp. The Machame route can be done in minimum 6 days, but a 7-day trek is recommended. This allows climbers to be well rested and acclimatized before making the final ascent to the summit.

WHY 7 DAYS MACHAME ROUTE

The Marangu Route is also known as the "Coca Cola" or "tourist" route. It is the easiest and shortest route to the summit. This is also the only route with the comforts of sleeping huts at every camp site with solar lights and comfortable beds. The huts are communal, and the bunks have a sponge mattress and pillow.
This route is usually done in 5 days but can be done in 6 days for better acclimatization. The extra day can be spent resting at Horombo or climbing the small peak of Mawenzi.

DAY 0:Arrival
You will be met at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and be driven to your hotel in Moshi. Your mountain guide will give you a briefing of your upcoming climb while at your hotel.
DAY 1: Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)
-- Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
-- Approx. time taken: 6 hours
-- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

You will be driven to the Machame Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park, which is approximately one hour from your hotel. There, you will sign in, meet your porters and will begin your climb. The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent and dense rainforest. This section can get overgrown and is often wet and muddy.

DAY 2: Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)
-- Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi
-- Approx. time taken: 5 hours
-- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Your route continues up through the rainforest until you reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau. Here, you will be rewarded with amazing views of the mountain. Looking back, you will see Mt. Meru rising high above Arusha in the distance.
DAY 3: Shira Cave (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Walking on high moorland, the landscape changes the character of your trek. You will traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach. Your day will reach an altitude of 4600 meters. As your camp will be at an altitude of 3960 meters, you will have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’. This is beneficial to acclimatizing to the altitude.
DAY 4: Barranco Hut (3900Mamsl) to Karanga Camp (3995Mamsl)
--Distance: 6 Kilometers.
--Time: 4 Hours walking.
-- Zone: Alpine desert.

Start a steep climb up the top Baranco wall which is 4200Mamsl for acclimatization for few minutes. Continue with the trail to reach Karanga Hut 3995Mamsl for the lunch and a long rest. Rest and have refreshments while waiting for dinner.
DAY 5: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
-- Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi
--Approx. time taken: 8 hours
-- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Your day starts by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. Then, there will be a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides the climb from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. This climb is over rock and is not technical but can be tiring. Passing underneath the Heim andKersten glaciers, you will head towards the Karanga Valley, which is the last stop for fresh water before the summit. You will begin to notice the scree forming on the terrain as you walk through the arid and desolate land towards Barafu Camp.
DAY 6: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Mweka Camp (3100m)
-- Distance covered: 16.4km / 9.6mi
-- Approx. time taken: 13hours – 15hours
-- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included --

You will begin your summit trek at midnight and climb toward the summit glaciers. You will be walking in scree for the first four to five hours and will gain incredible height over a short distance. The views will be spectacular as you approach the crater rim at Stella Point (5739 meters) as the first rays of the sun appear. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater will surround you as you view the jagged Mawenzi Peak. Another hour of walking will bring you to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895 meters). After a short time on the summit, you will begin your descent by returning to Stella Point. From there, you’ll continue your descent on the scree slope and return to Barafu Camp for breakfast. The group will then head down to Mweka Camp for a well-earned rest.
DAY 7: Trek Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
-- Distance covered: 9.1km / 7.5miles
--Approx. time taken: 3 hours
-- Hotel: Bed & Breakfast
-- Habitat: Forest

Your gentle trek will continue down through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate. There, you will sign out of the park and receive your appropriate summit certificate. You will then be driven back to your hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower and celebrate with cold drinks.
DAY 8: Depart Tanzania
This day will have an open agenda. You may want to simply wind down at the hotel or spend some time exploring Moshi before heading to the airport. As well, you may want to add a safari or a trip to Zanzibar on to your African adventure.
GROUP SIZE AMOUNT(US DOLLAR)
1 Person $1950
2-4 People $1850
5-7 People $1800
8-10 People $1750

PRICE INCLUDES

Transfers:

Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi; Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.

Entry fees:

Park Fees: all park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others).

Accommodation:

Accommodation at hotel one night before and one night after the expedition. You will have all for a comfortable stay - friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool;
Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season );
Please note: by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. If you travel solo on a group expedition, we will room you with a same-sex participant. Single supplement is available upon request.

Meals:

Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus. Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).

Hiking and safety equipment:

Comfortable sleeping mats;
All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery);
Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
Complete medical kits including Diamox.
Private portable Toilet.

Climbing crew:

Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification. All of them have 7+years of successful experience;
Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).

Taxes:

18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy.

PRICE EXCLUDE

International flights;
Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
Personal gear rentals;
Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb);

MAP OF MARANGU ROUTE