6 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route

The Machame Route, also known as the “Whisky Route”, is one of the most scenic and desirable routes in Kilimanjaro. This popular route passes through magnificent forests to reach a ridge that leads through marshy areas to the Shira Plateau. It then passes under the glacier-covered slopes of the southern ice fields to join the Barafu route to the summit. As this route can be walked for a longer time and the slope is easier to negotiate, the likelihood of reaching the summit by this route is much greater.

Duration: 6 or 7 days
Difficulty: Medium
Scenery: Excellent
Traffic: High

On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the 4-star Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel B&B for your overnight stay. You will be met by the hotel manager to give you a briefing, check your equipment and arrange any rental equipment you may need.

DAY 1: MACHAME GATE – MACHAME CAMP: 10,75 KM / 7 MILES | 5-6 HOURS | RAINFOREST
Altitude: 1811 m/5942 ft to 3021 m/9911 ft
Cumulative altitude: 1210m

Departing from Moshi, you will drive 45 minutes through the village of Machame to the gate of Kilimanjaro National Park. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued as we watch the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest landscapes and windy trails as your guide talks you through the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are highly recommended here.

DAY 2: MACHAME GATE – MACHAME CAMP: 10.75 KM / 7 MILES | 5-6 HOURS | RAINFOREST.
Altitude: from 1811m/5942ft to 3021m/9911ft.
Altitude: 1210 m

From Moshi it is a 45 minute drive through Machame village to the gate of Kilimanjaro National Park. We wait patiently for permits to be issued as we watch many teams prepare for the journey. Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails as your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna. At such a low altitude, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. Hiking shoes and boots are recommended.

DAY 2: MACHAME CAMP – SHIRA CAMP: 5.3 KM/3 MILES | 4-5 HOURS | MARSHY AREA.
Altitude: from 3021 m/9911 ft to 3839 m/12 595 ft.
Altitude difference: 818 m

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast we leave the rainforest and continue our ascent, crossing the valley on a steep rocky path. The route now turns west along the river valley until we reach Shira Camp. The temperature starts to drop.

DAY 2: SHIRA CAMP – LAVA TOWER – BARANCO CAMP: 10,75 KM/6 MILES | 5-6 HOURS | SEMI-FREE TIME.
Altitude: from 3839 m/12 595 ft to 3986 m/13 077 ft.
Altitude: 147 m

Although you will finish the day at approximately the same altitude as you started, this day is very important for acclimatisation. From the Shira Plateau, you will continue east along the ridge, passing the Mt Kibo crossing, before continuing southeast towards the lava tower known as the “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower you will reach the second fork leading to the Arrow Glacier. We will then continue our descent to camp for the night at Barranco Camp.

DAY 4: BARANCO CAMP – CARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP: 8,5 KM/5 MILES | 6-8 HOURS | DESCENT INTO THE ALPINE DESERT.
Altitude: 3986 m/13 077 ft to 4034 m/13 235 ft to 4662 m/15 295 ft.
Altitude: 676 m

Barranco Camp

After breakfast, continue steeply up to the adventurous Barranco Wall in the Karanga Valley and the junction with the Mweka Trail. This will be one of the most impressive days as you will be able to observe the strength, skill and endurance of your team as they tackle this wall with ease. Continue to climb towards Barafu Camp and once you reach it, you will have traversed the South Loop which offers a series of breathtaking views of the summit from different angles. Have an early dinner and rest to prepare for the night at the summit. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

DAY 5: BARAFU CAMP – PEAK: 4,86 KM /3 MILES UP | 5-7 HOURS | – MVEKA CAMP: 13 KM /8 MILES DOWN | 5-6 HOURS | GLACIERS, SNOWY PEAK
Altitude: 4,662 m/15,295 ft to 5,895 m/19,341 ft
Cumulative altitude: 1233m
Descent to 3,106m/10,190ft
Altitude lost: 2,789 m

The excitement intensifies as the morning sets in with an early start between midnight and 2am. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek.

We make our way to the summit between Rebman and Ratzel glaciers, trying to keep warm and focus on the incredible sense of achievement that awaits us. Ascending in a northwesterly direction, we climb through heavy rock to Stella Point on the crater rim. During your short break here you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise. Faster hikers can watch the sunrise from the top. From here on, on your remaining one-hour climb to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.

Congratulations, step by step you have now reached Mount Uhuru – the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and on the entire African continent!

After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy, we will take a few minutes to enjoy this amazing achievement. We begin the steep descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a short rest. Gaiters and trekking poles are highly recommended for the unwelcoming terrain of loose gravel and volcanic ash. A well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening in the mountains. Overnight at Mweka Camp.

DAY 6: MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE – MOSHI: 9.1 KM/6 MILES |3-4 HOURS | RAINFOREST
Altitude: 3106 m/10 190 ft to 1633 m/5358 ft
Lost Altitude: 1473 m

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and crew bonding, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue our descent to the Mweka Park gate to collect our summit certificates. As the weather is dramatically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and gaiters and trekking poles are highly recommended.

From the gate in Mweka village, you will be met by a vehicle that will drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Enjoy your long awaited hot shower, dinner and festivities!!!