Route Description
6 Days Machame route is also known as the Whiskey route, given its reputation for being a tough climb compared to the easier Marangu route, which is known as the Coca Cola route.
The Machame Route climb is often tackled on 7 days maximum for a better acclimatization schedule though it can be also done in a minimum of six days (five nights).
Itinerary
Day 0: 25th June 2023: Arrival at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport
Distance: 45km /50Mnts
Meet on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport. Transfer to The Charity Hotel for dinner and overnight BB. (45 km, 50 minutes)
- MEALS: Dinner and Overnight BB
- ACCOMMODATION: The Charity Hotel
Day 1: 26th June 2023: The Charity Hotel to Machame Gate
Driving from Tulia Boutique to Machame Gate takes about one to two hours. The journey passes through the Machame village which is located on the slopes of the mountain.
We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a windy trail up a ridge. At lower elevations the trail can be muddy and slippery at sometimes though Gaiters and trekking poles will be of great help here. We will then continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
Distance: 11km/7miles
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: 27th June 2023: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast at the camp, we leave the dells of the rain forest and continue on an ascending trail, crossing the valley along a sharp rocky ridge. The route now goes west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.
Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 5km/3miles
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: 28th June 2023: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau, we endure to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we keep going , our route changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which elevate to the Arrow Glacier and continue down to the Barranco Camp. On this day, you will end the day around the same elevation as when you began. This day is very vital as it prepares your entire body for acclimatization and ready for summit day.
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 10km/6miles
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: 29th June 2023: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast at the camp, we leave Barranco and linger on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elevation 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev 4050m/13,250ft) to the intersection which connects with the Mweka Trail and continue up to the Barafu Camp. At this point, you will have completed the South Circuit which offers views of the summit from different angles.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 9km/6miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: 30th June 2023: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (Midnight to 2 Am), we linger our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Here, you will have head in a northwest direction and ascend through a heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most outstanding sunrise you are ever likely to see.
From Stella Point, you may come across 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 rooftop of the African Continent.
From the summit we begin to descent straight down to the Mweka Camp with one stop at Barafu camp for lunch. Here, you may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel walking down to Mweka camp. Arrive at Mweka Camp on time and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3miles up / 13km/8miles down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: 31st June 2023: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
After breakfast at Mweka camp, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your award (Summit certificate).
Joagro Safaris Tanzania vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
- MEALS: Dinner and Overnight BB
- ACCOMMODATION: The Charity Hotel
6 Days Machame Route Includes
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Arusha hotel
- 2 Nights’ hotel accommodations before and after Kili
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- All Park fees, Rescue Fees.
- All meals while on the Mountain.
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Quality tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water:
6 Days Machame Route Excludes
- Tanzania Visa cost which is USD 50 except for Canadian and USA passport holders which are USD 100
- Personal Expenses.
- Meals not listed in the plan.
- Optional Tours/ activities
Note: You can combine this experience with safari to have a complete taste of Tanzania from the roof top to the wilderness.
