6 Days Machame Route
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6 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route
Begin your 6 day trip on the Machame Route with this itinerary. The Machame route, often known as “the Whiskey Route,” is the second most popular choice among climbers. This tour offers a wide range of views, landscapes, and experiences. Aishi Machame Hotel is within a 20-minute drive from Machame Gate, the route’s starting point. Machame Gate, on Mt Kilimanjaro’s southern slope, leads to the summit by a unique path that starts in the tropical forest, passes through all temperature zones, and concludes in the Arctic desert in the summit region.
The trek’s camps are deliberately located to allow for a gradual and comfortable acclimatization. On the third day, the Machame Route comes up with the Lemosho and Umbwe routes at Barranco camp.
There are options for a six-day or seven-day climb. The latter is strongly advised for a more comfortable acclimatization.
PLANNING AN ADVENTURE IN TANZANIA?
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Arrival date: 7, August
Departure date: 13, August 2023 -
Climbing start: 8 August 2023
Climbing finish: 13 August 2023 -
Places already reserved: 2
Places available: 12 - Overnights in Tents
Full Itinerary
- Total distance (approx.): 10.8km
- Hiking time (approx.): 6 hours.
Pick up from your accommodation at 8am and drive to the Machame Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park (approximately 45 min drive from Moshi town). Here we will process your park fees and the fees for the crew before you will start your ascent. Day 1 trekking takes you through the montane forest ecosystem of the national park- your guide will show you a variety of fauna and flora including a high chance of seeing the Black and White colobus monkey. You will reach the camp between 35pm (you will always be able to go at your own pace so the time varies!) where you will be welcomed with hot water for washing and a nice cup of tea! If you have time and energy there is the option to do a short hike, which offers you extra acclimatization, to a point 100m higher from the camp before returning to camp for dinner and overnight.
- Total distance (approx.): 5.2km
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours
This day’s hiking time is much shorter as it is a much steeper route. Following breakfast at 7:30am you will start your heading out of the forest and heading into the moorland area of the national park. From here you can have a great view of your summit so far and even Mt Meru on a clear day. After a short break for lunch you will start to ascend the undulating rocky ridge of the Shira plateau. Once reaching camp you will again be welcomed by your team of porters and chef with hot water before dinner and overnight. Optional extra 30min hike to Shira Camp 2 (100m extra altitude) where you can see evidence of buffalos that previously came to find calcium here and have a great view of the Shira cathedral (where the 3rd peak of the mountain collapsed millions of years ago).
- Total distance (approx.): 10.7m
- Hiking time: 7 hours
Following breakfast you will leave camp to start your ascent to the Lava Tower Rock. We won’t fib, this will be quite a tough hike and may be the first time you experience altitude sickness due to the higher elevation. It gives you a good opportunity to adjust to the climate at this altitude and the great thing is that, following lunch at the big rock, you get to descend down to Barranco Camp where you will have dinner and overnight.
- Total distance (approx.): 9.4km
- Hiking time: 7-8 hours
Rise at 7:30am for breakfast and then head for a little challenge as you climb up what has been nicknamed the ‘breakfast rock’. It’s all worth it though as at the top of this rock you can have a great view to Kibo peak and its magnificent glaciers, whilst at the same time in the other direction you’ll be able to see Mt Meru. With many increase and decreases in elevation you will pass the valley which marks the last point for water passing on the Machame route. Head back up the valley to Karanga camp where you can stop for lunch and a short break. On your way to Barafu camp you will pass over the alpine forest and volcanic rocks from previous explosions where you will be able to view the entire landscape of the mountain. You will arrive at Barafu camp around 5pm for dinner and then rest up and get some sleep in preparation for your summit night! Although warmer during the day, the Barafu or ‘ice’ camp really lives up to its name once the sun goes down.
Your friendly guide will give you a warm wakeup call at approximately 11pm (depending how well you have fared so far you may get up earlier or later!). From here you will start your ascent to the summit. This is the final push to the top and so your guide will take you at a much slower pace compared to your trekking the previous days, to make sure you have the best chance of getting to the peak, giving your body time to cope with the high altitude. Once you reach Stella Point at 5735m you really have almost made it- only another 45 minutes until you will find yourself at Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. Enjoy your time here, take in what will surely be your most memorable sunrise and celebrate with your guide.
- Total distance: 10.8km
- Hiking time: Summit- Barafu Camp (2-3hours) Barafu Camp- Mweka Camp (4-5 hours)
From the summit you will descend back down to Barafu Camp where you will be welcomed by the rest of the crew and enjoy a short break and breakfast. Here you can have a nap for a couple of hours if you wish and depending on the time you arrive. From Barafu Camp you will make your way down to Mweka Camp, passing from desert to moorland terrain. You will reach Mweka Camp at approximately 5pm where you will dinner and overnight.
- Total distance: 8.5km
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
Passing through the montane forest, similar to your first day trekking, you will make your way down to Mweka Gate where you will sign out and exit Kilimanjaro National Park. From here you will picked up by our company transport and transferred back to our office in town where you will be presented with you certificate before returning to your hotel for a well-deserved rest!
A great value option, offering fantastic acclimatisation and scenic views on the way up and down this circular route.
- Suitable for: Anyone of average fitness, previous trekking experience not required
- Pros: Circular route with extra acclimatisation treks each day. Start/finish points close to Moshi town therefore cheaper than other routes
- Cons: Being the best value route, campsites can be more crowded during high season
- Trekking Days required: 6 or 7
This popular itinerary takes you the exact same route as the 7 day but at a slightly faster pace. If you are fit, healthy, have trekking experience and are up for a challenge then this one’s for you. The route itself, with its ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ still gives you a great chance for acclimatisation
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- Included in cost:
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Moshi/Arusha (before/after the climb)
- Transport to and from Moshi/Arusha to the trail head
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping /huts fees, rescue fee, and Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Expert guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Bottled oxygen for emergency rescue only
- Camping tents
- Sleeping pads
- Mess tents, tables, chairs, and lanterns
- Fresh and nutritious meals on the mountain
- Breakfast at the hotel
- The price does not include:
- Airfare and visa fees at airports
- Lunch or dinner at hotel
- Beverages at the hotel
- Personal gears and equipment
- Tipping
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