About Machame Route
Machame route is the most popular route to the summit
of Mount Kilimanjaro,
and for good reason. This trail offers stunning views, a reasonable challenge, and plenty of time
to acclimate, making it a good choice for those who have a bit of extra time in their schedule.
Machame route has been nicknamed the “Whiskey Route” because it is often perceived as
being tougher than Marangu route, which is often referred to as the “Coca-Cola”
route.
In Machame route Trekkers will be sleeping in tents all the way to the summit.
It is for that reason that Machame route is widely considered to be the most scenic
of all of the routes up Mount Kilimanjaro, providing unique and varied landscapes to pass
through on each and every day. The trail starts on the south side of the mountain, passes
underneath the Southern Ice Field and makes its summit approach from the Barafu Camp.
For travelers who have a few extra days in their schedule, Machame route is an
excellent option. One or two additional days of acclimatization can make a big difference
in the success rate, so trekkers who choose this route reach the summit more often,
despite the fact that this is a more challenging hike than Marangu route.
The 6 days Machame route is perfect for those who want a thrilling as well as adventurous experience amid their journey.
You will be picked up from airport. From there you will go to the hotel in Moshi for an orientation on your trek.
Your guides will be there to provide you with details on your trek and will also check your trekking
gears.
At 8:30am, transfer from Hotel to Machame Gate, where you will meet our complete trekking team (porters, guides, and cooks). The drive through coffee farms and villages to Machame Gate takes about 1.5 hours. Once you arrive, wait at the gate while Summit Odyssey registers your climb and the porters and guides make final preparations.
Your first day’s destination is Machame Camp. Each day, porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival. On the first day, hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. The forest will thin at the end of the hike and vegetation will change to include heathers, tall grasses and wildflowers. If the weather is clear, view the surrounding area and your ultimate destination, Kibo Peak.
Your first day’s destination is Machame Camp. Each day, porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival. On the first day, hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. The forest will thin at the end of the hike and vegetation will change to include heathers, tall grasses and wildflowers. If the weather is clear, view the surrounding area and your ultimate destination, Kibo Peak.
Although considered to be the easiest day on the Machame Route, this day trek includes several uphill sections. Carry plenty of drinking water, as the exposed hike can be hot on a clear day. There are several viewpoints from which you can see the plains and forests below and Kibo and Mawenzi peaks above.
As you gain altitude, notice the change in vegetation. The trees diminish in size, giving way to Kilimanjaro’s famous high altitude plants, Scenario Kilimanjaro and Lobelia decennia. After eating lunch, climb the Shira Plateau, created when Kibo’s lava flows filled the Shira crater. Continue to Shira Camp, where you will relax for the rest of the day. Kibo lies to the west and Mount Meru to the east.
As you gain altitude, notice the change in vegetation. The trees diminish in size, giving way to Kilimanjaro’s famous high altitude plants, Scenario Kilimanjaro and Lobelia decennia. After eating lunch, climb the Shira Plateau, created when Kibo’s lava flows filled the Shira crater. Continue to Shira Camp, where you will relax for the rest of the day. Kibo lies to the west and Mount Meru to the east.
Although this up and down day ends with an elevation gain of only 110 meters, by early afternoon you will have climbed 690 meters to a height of 4,530 meters before beginning your descent to Barranco Camp. This day is crucial for acclimatization.
After breakfast, hike east on the Shira Plateau before reaching the junction for the Shira and Lemosho Routes. Continue on through the barren landscape before stopping for lunch. Shortly after lunch, reach the highest point of the day before descending quickly to Barranco Camp. Faster hikers can take a detour via Lava Tower, a 300-foot lava formation jutting out of the mountainside.
Barranco Camp, set among stands of Senseco Kilimanjaro, is considered to be the most scenic campsite on the Machame Route.
After breakfast, hike east on the Shira Plateau before reaching the junction for the Shira and Lemosho Routes. Continue on through the barren landscape before stopping for lunch. Shortly after lunch, reach the highest point of the day before descending quickly to Barranco Camp. Faster hikers can take a detour via Lava Tower, a 300-foot lava formation jutting out of the mountainside.
Barranco Camp, set among stands of Senseco Kilimanjaro, is considered to be the most scenic campsite on the Machame Route.
Leave Barranco Camp after an early breakfast to begin the long hike to Barafu Camp. The day begins with an hour and a half scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you will have to use your hands to pull your body up. After reaching the top, you will make a short descent into the greener Karanga Valley before continuing on to Barafu Camp. On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail.
During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Dicken Glaciers. Although the way to Barafu is bleak, alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, and Rebmann Glacier. Try to sleep as soon as you finish dinner as you will be waking up at midnight for your summit hike.
During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Dicken Glaciers. Although the way to Barafu is bleak, alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, and Rebmann Glacier. Try to sleep as soon as you finish dinner as you will be waking up at midnight for your summit hike.
Day 5: Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)
Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. For the next six hours, hike by the light of your headlamp. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point.
The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers.
At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.
The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers.
At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.
After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery. Our vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Moshi.
- Private transport from the hotel to the Park s gate (starting point for the climb), and transport back to the hotel after the climb.
- All National Park entry fees.
- All camping fees.
- 2 night's hotel the night before and the night after the climb, with breakfast included.
- Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt.
- Qualified medical guides.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain.
- Salaries for Guides, cook and porters..
- Rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Park rescue team fees).
- Government taxes.
- Pickup and drop off to Airport.
- Evacuation services.
- Hut fees [ Marangu route }.
- Friendly and competent Trained Mountain Guides, assistant guides, porters and professional cooks.
- 3 full fresh meals daily. We provide fresh food on the mountain in plentiful and well prepared by skilled professional cooks(we also consider your choice of food that you would prefer -Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian). Menu especially designed for climbers.
- Hot drinks on the mountain and Hot water for washing will be provide everyday on the mountain.
- Quality specious tents, sleeping mats, camping tables ,camping chairs and Mess/Dining Tent.(Not applicable on the Marangu route as accommodation is in A-frame huts).
- Supplementary Portable Oxygen and Complete First Aid Kit (used in case of emergency only).
- Pulse oxy-meter carried by all chief guides.
- 3-4 liters of mineral/treated water (per Climber) provided daily during the climb..
***Portable toilet available at an additional cost (There are public toilets on the mountain)**
NOT INCLUDED IN OUR PACKAGES PRICES.
• Items of a personal nature.
• Tips for guides, porters and cook (Recommended $20 per guides, $15 per cook, $10 per porter all per day).
• Personal Hiking/Trekking gears (Some Gears are available for Rent).
• Extra days in hotel.
- All National Park entry fees.
- All camping fees.
- 2 night's hotel the night before and the night after the climb, with breakfast included.
- Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt.
- Qualified medical guides.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain.
- Salaries for Guides, cook and porters..
- Rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Park rescue team fees).
- Government taxes.
- Pickup and drop off to Airport.
- Evacuation services.
- Hut fees [ Marangu route }.
- Friendly and competent Trained Mountain Guides, assistant guides, porters and professional cooks.
- 3 full fresh meals daily. We provide fresh food on the mountain in plentiful and well prepared by skilled professional cooks(we also consider your choice of food that you would prefer -Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian). Menu especially designed for climbers.
- Hot drinks on the mountain and Hot water for washing will be provide everyday on the mountain.
- Quality specious tents, sleeping mats, camping tables ,camping chairs and Mess/Dining Tent.(Not applicable on the Marangu route as accommodation is in A-frame huts).
- Supplementary Portable Oxygen and Complete First Aid Kit (used in case of emergency only).
- Pulse oxy-meter carried by all chief guides.
- 3-4 liters of mineral/treated water (per Climber) provided daily during the climb..
***Portable toilet available at an additional cost (There are public toilets on the mountain)**
NOT INCLUDED IN OUR PACKAGES PRICES.
• Items of a personal nature.
• Tips for guides, porters and cook (Recommended $20 per guides, $15 per cook, $10 per porter all per day).
• Personal Hiking/Trekking gears (Some Gears are available for Rent).
• Extra days in hotel.
