7Days Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Climbing
Also
known as the “Whiskey” route, the Machame route is now the most popular ascent
route on Mt Kilimanjaro. Compared with the Marangu route, the walking days on
the Machame route are longer and the walks are steeper. However, the scenery is
spectacular and landscape interesting. The Machame route is considered a
difficult route, and is better suited for more adventurous trekkers and those
with some hiking or backpacking experience.
The
Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. However, due to its
popularity there are increased numbers of trekkers, it loses some of its
splendour. The Machame route approaches the summit from the southwest and
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’s southern ice field.
After
arrival at your hotel in Moshi, you will rest. And later there will be a
meeting with the your guide for briefing about your trek and Mt Kilimanjaro.
After finish to the briefing he will check all your mountain gears to see if
you have all equipment, and if you will miss some of them he will take you to rent
the missing gears.
Day 1 : Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate,
climb to Machame Camp
Your
7 days machame route climbing start for driving you from Moshi to the Mount
Kilimanjaro National Park Gate it takes about 45 minutes. After paper work the
journey start passing 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 the Machame Camp.
- Elevation: 1830m/6000ft
to 3050m/9950ft
- Distance: 11km/7mi
- Climbing Time: 5-6
hours
- Habitat: Montane
Forest
Day 2 : Climb Machame Camp to Shira Camp
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.
- Elevation: 3050m/9950ft
to 3850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Walking
Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
Day 3 : Climb Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
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.
- Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft
to 4000m/13,000ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Walking
Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
Day 4 : Climb Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After
breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall
to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
- Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft
to 4050m/13,250ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Climbing Time: 34
hours
- Habitat: Alpine
Desert
Day 5 : Climb Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We
continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which
offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest,
enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
- Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft
to 4700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 4km/2mi
- Climbing Time: 3-4
hours
- Habitat: Alpine
Desert
Day 6 : Climb Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
Very
early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit
between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction
and ascend through heavy scree towards 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 1-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 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 arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on
the mountain.
- 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
Day 7 : Climb Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and then drive to
Moshi
After
breakfast we continue descending down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive
your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters
and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to
wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Moonlight
Tours Expedition 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
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft
to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Climbing Time: 3-4
hours
- Habitat: Forest
Price
1pax: $3150
2pax: $5600
Price per pax: $2800
3-6pax: $13440
Price per pax: $2240
moonlighttoursexpedition@gmail.com
info@moonlighttoursexpedition.com
Mount Kilimanjaro Includes
- Quality,
waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
- 2
Nights accommodation
- Professional,
experienced, mountain guides:
- All
Park fees
- Rescue
fees
- All
meals while on the Mountain
- Arrival
and Departure transfers
- Guides,
Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Quality
Mess tents with table and chairs:
- Large
portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food:
- Clean,
purified drinking water:
- Crisis
management and safety procedures:
- Fair
and ethical treatment of porters:
- Sleeping
Mattress:
- Emergency
Evacuation by Flying Doctor Society of Africa:
Excludes:
-
Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival
-
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
-
Meals not listed above
-
Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
-
Tips and any items of personal nature.