7 Days Machame Kilimanjaro - Free Will Expeditions

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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.
On the 7 day Machame route, the trek from Barranco to Barafu is split up into two days, allowing for a short day just prior to the summit attempt. This is important because summit day begins very early, around midnight, so climbers are deprived going into the toughest day on the mountain.

Itinerary , Price Include & Excluded

Day 0 : Pickup to Airport

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.

Day 1: Machame Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft)

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.

Day 2: Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft) to Shira 2 Camp (3,840m/12,600ft)

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.

Day 3: Shira 2 Camp (3,840m/12,600ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)

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.

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,976m/ 13,044ft) - Karanga Camp (3,995m/ 13,106ft)

After early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. This is an ideal hiking day for acclimatization.

DAY 5: Karanga Camp (3,995m/ 13,106ft) - Barafu Camp (4,673m/ 15,331ft)

After morning breakfast, you will leave Karanga Camp. The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00

DAY 6: Barafu Camp (4,673m/ 15,331ft) - Uhuru Peak (5,895m/ 19,341ft) - Mweka Camp (3,068m/ 10,065ft)

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.

Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft)

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.

PRICE INCLUDED & EXCLUDED

• Guided Kilimanjaro trek as per the detailed itinerary
• Services of a professional English-speaking guide certified in Wilderness First Response (WFR) and CPR
• Adequate mountain crew, including a skilled cook and experienced porters
• Two nights of accommodation before and after the trek (bed and breakfast basis)
• Airport transfers to and from the hotel
• All meals during the trek, as specified in the itinerary
• Clean drinking water and full-board mountain meals
• All applicable National Park entry and hut fees, crew permits, and VAT
• Fair and sustainable wages for all mountain crew members
• Transfers to and from the park gates
• Complimentary use of an oxygen cylinder
• Portable private toilet with porter support
• Use of high-quality, imported trekking equipment

NOT INCLUDED IN OUR PACKAGES PRICES.
• International and domestic flights
• Visa fees for entry into Tanzania
• Travel or medical insurance (mandatory; we recommend obtaining suitable coverage)
• Personal trekking gear rentals (e.g., sleeping bags, trekking poles, etc.)
• 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.