7 DAYS MACHAME ROUTE - AFRICAN BUSH TOURS

7 DAYS MACHAME KILIMANJARO TREKKING

Also known as the “Whiskey” route, the Kilimanjaro 7 Days Machame route is now the most popular ascent route on Mt Kilimanjaro. Compared with the Marangu route, the hiking days on the Machame route are longer, the trail steeper. However, the scenery is spectacular and the landscape stunning. The Machame route is considered a challenging route and is better suited for more adventurous trekkers and those with some hiking or backpacking experience.
The Kilimanjaro Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. However, due to its popularity, there are an increased number of trekkers, so it loses some of its splendor. The Machame route approaches the summit from the southwest. It descends using the Mweka route, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco Wall, and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro southern ice field.

After arrival at your hotel in Moshi, you will rest and later, there will be a meeting with the guide to brief you about your trek and Mt. Kilimanjaro. After finishing the briefing, he will check all your mountain gear to see if you have all the equipment, and if you are missing some of them, he will take you to rent anything you need.

ITINERARY

Arrival Kilimanjaro - Arusha
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, you will meet your guide who will transport you to your first hotel. The rest of the day is yours to get acquainted with Arusha as you wish!

DAY 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Hike to Machame Camp
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: LD
Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach Machame Camp.

DAY 2 : Climb Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: BLD
After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

DAY 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: BLD From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

DAY 4 : Climb Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
• Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
• Distance: 5km/3mi
• Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail.

DAY 5 : Climb Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
• Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
• Distance: 4km/2mi
• Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
We will continue up to the Barafu Camp. You will have now completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we will make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

DAY 6 : Climb Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
• Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
• Down to 3090m/10,150ft
• Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
• Climbing Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
• Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we will continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your one-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit, we will begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We will arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

DAY 7 : Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and then drive to Moshi
• Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
• Distance: 10km/6mi
• Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Forest
After breakfast, we will continue descending to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
A vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). End of your 7-day Machame route climbing

Price per Person in USD $:

GROUP SIZE

PRICE

1 person

$ 1950

2 - 4People

$ 1870

5 - 7 People

$ 1695

8 - 10 People

$ 1630

10++

$ 1560

PRICE INCLUDES

Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate.
Park entry fees.
Camping fees.
Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
18% VAT on tour fees & services.
4 Season mountain tents.
Double layered Sleeping Mats.
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters. 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
Hot water for washing.
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
Government taxes.
Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter. Emergency first-aid kit.

PRICE EXCLUDES

Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
Travel insurance.
Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 70 for the entire trek.
Flights.
Laundry (Available at hotel).
Personal items and toiletries.
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain).