Machame Route for 7 Days Climbing, The Machame route, often known as the “Whiskey” route, is presently the most popular ascension route on Mt Kilimanjaro. The walking days on the Machame route are longer and the treks are steeper than on the Marangu route. The scenery, on the other hand, is stunning, and the landscape is intriguing. The Machame path is considered challenging and is best suited for more daring trekkers as well as those with some trekking or backpacking experience.
The Machame route is beautiful scenery and diverse. However, because of its popularity and growing number of trekkers, it has lost part of its radiance. The Machame route approaches Kilimanjaro’s summit from the southwest and descends by the Mweka route, rewarding climbers with views of the vast Shira Plateau, an optional scramble over Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco wall, and a crossing beneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice sheet.
Day by Day Itinerary
Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)
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
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: LD
Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)
Day two of 7 Days Machame Route Climbing, 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
- Meals: BLD
Shira Cave (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Day three of 7 Days Machame Route Climbing, 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
- Meals: BLD
Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)
Day 4 of 7 Days Machame Route Climbing, 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
- Meals: BLD
Climb Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Day five of 7 Days Machame Route Climbing, 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
- Meals: BLD
Climb Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour's walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
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).
Our 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.
=> This day you can be transfered to your hotel for overnight (to be transfered to airport next day) or transfered to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure or we can arrange for other adventures in Tanzania!
- Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
WHAT'S
- Accommodation as per the itinerary
- Professional Mountain guide
- Professional mountain cook
- Transfer to and from the mountain gate
- All Park entrance fees
- Rescue fees
- Porter’s allowance
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water on all days
WHAT'S
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tipping
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcohol drinks
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We only had 2 days for the safari and a very limited budget. Thanks to David and his team, we got a lot of positive emotions, saw a lot of animals in Tarangire and Arusha National Parks (including 4 of the big 5) and just had a great time. Many thanks to Sia who turned out to be a very professional good guide, good driver and just a good guy. I recommend Kili Slope to everyone.
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David was instrumental in ensuring that every details of our 4 day itinerary was looked after with professionalism. Everything went as planned. Thanks to Our driver Stuart, who was knowledgeable, familiar with the landscape; we saw the big 5. The accomodations were all very good. I Strongly recommend them for your next safari. Asante Sana guys!
