Machame Route (6 DAY SCENIC CLIMB)

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Your Machame Route Itinerary

Known as the "Whiskey Route," this scenic path offers diverse landscapes and excellent acclimatization opportunities

Arrival Day
DAY 1

Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport

You'll be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel located in Arusha for overnight rest before the climb begins.

Accommodation & Meals: Tulia Boutique Hotel & SPA (Bed & Breakfast) www.tuliahotelandspa.com
Machame Gate
DAY 2

Machame Gate (1,640m) to Machame Camp (2,835m)

After breakfast, transfer to Machame Gate where you'll meet your trekking crew. Begin your ascent through the stunning rainforest that covers the South-West of the mountain. The first day trek is long (~11km) and takes approximately 5-7 hours to complete. By the time you arrive, your porters will have already set up camp.

Accommodation & Meals: Machame Camp (B, L, D)
Distance: 11km / 7 miles
Time: 5-7 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone
Shira Camp
DAY 3

Machame Camp (2,835m) to Shira Camp 2 (3,850m)

Relatively steep trek as you enter the low alpine zone characterized by moorlands and grasslands. Shira Camp 2 sits on a plateau with first views of Kibo and Mount Meru.

Accommodation & Meals: Shira Camp 2 (B, L, D)
Distance: 5.5km / 3 miles
Time: 4-6 hours
Zone: Rainforest/Low Alpine zone
Lava Tower
DAY 4

Shira Camp 2 (3,850m) via Lava Tower (4,600m) to Baranco Camp (3,900m)

Long and tough trek East off the Shira Plateau up to Lava Tower at 4,600m then back down to Baranco Camp. Although ending at similar elevation, this "climb high, sleep low" strategy is crucial for acclimatization.

Accommodation & Meals: Baranco Camp (B, L, D)
Distance: 11km / 7 miles
Time: 5-7 hours
Zone: Low/High Alpine zone
Baranco Wall
DAY 5

Baranco Camp (3,900m) via Karanga Camp (3,960m) to Barafu Camp (4,680m)

Begin with a steep traverse up the Barranco Wall, then continue to Karanga Camp for lunch before proceeding to Barafu Camp. Early dinner and rest before midnight summit attempt.

Accommodation & Meals: Barafu Camp (B, L, D)
Distance: 9.5km / 6 miles
Time: 8-10 hours
Zone: High Alpine zone
Summit Day
DAY 6

Barafu Camp (4,680m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3,100m)

Summit night begins around midnight for the 6-8 hour ascent to Stella Point, then continue to Uhuru Peak. After celebrating, descend 11km to Mweka Camp in the rainforest zone.

Accommodation & Meals: Mweka Camp (B, L, D)
Distance: 4.5km ascent / 11km descent
Time: 6-8 hours ascent + 5-8 hours descent
Zone: Glacial and all preceding zones
Descent Day
DAY 7

Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka Gate (1,640m)

Final descent through the lower rain-forested slopes to Mweka Gate. Receive your summit certificate before being transported back to your hotel in Arusha.

Accommodation & Meals: Tulia Boutique Hotel & SPA (Bed & Breakfast) www.tuliahotelandspa.com
Distance: 9km / 5.5 miles
Time: 3-5 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone

About the Machame Route

The Machame Route, known as the "Whiskey Route," is one of Kilimanjaro's most scenic paths, offering diverse landscapes and excellent acclimatization opportunities. This popular route features beautiful rainforest trails, stunning moorlands, and challenging ascents.

Price Includes

  • Transport from the hotel in Arusha to the mountain and back to the Hotel
  • Kilimanjaro national park permits, camping/hut fees, mountain rescue fees, value added tax (VAT), and all other applicable local government taxes/fees
  • Services of Guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
  • Accommodation in a lodge for 2 nights (before & after the climb), including breakfast and taxes
  • Meals on the mountain
  • Drinking water: Boiled water on the trek (recommended to bring a filter/filtrating tablets), and bottled water on the safari
  • Four season mountain sleeping tent and sleeping pad
  • Dining tent, tables, chairs

Price Excludes

  • Airfare
  • Arrival and Departure Kilimanjaro airport (JRO) transfers to/from Arusha
  • Items of personal nature
  • Climbing gear (available for rent)
  • Tips to the climbing crew
  • Medical Equipment which can be rented well in advance for the following costs: $250/group for hyperbaric chamber and $140/group for a stretcher
  • Portable toilets: $110/person (or $180/group)
  • Bottled oxygen for emergency rescue only ($90)
  • Oximeter

Important Notes

  • Porter packs are limited to 35 pounds (15kg)
  • Overweight luggage requires extra porter at $10/day
  • You can leave extra luggage at hotel in Arusha (get receipt for valuables)
  • Portable toilets available upon request

Essential Gear

Clothing

  • Insulated jacket and thermal layers
  • Moisture-wicking base layers
  • Warm hat and sun hat
  • Gloves (insulated and lightweight)

Equipment

  • Sturdy broken-in hiking boots
  • High UV protection sunglasses
  • Headlamp with extra batteries
  • Trekking poles (highly recommended)

Porter Welfare Notice

We strictly adhere to Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project guidelines. Porters carry maximum 20kg (including their own gear) and receive proper equipment, food, and wages.

Tip Recommendation: $20-25/day for guides, $15-20/day for assistant guides, $10/day for cooks, $8-10/day for porters

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