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
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.