7 Days Mt. Kilimanjaro Machame Route
Machame Route Overview
The Machame Route, also known as the Whisky Route, has become very popular. This is a camping route that offers spectacular views of various landscapes such as Mt. Meru, the Pare Mountains, Lake Chala, and Lake Jipe. While the 6-day itinerary is possible, it is very beneficial to opt for the 7-day Machame climb, as having an extra day for acclimatization and rest before the summit day will maximize your chances of reaching the top.
Machame Route 7 Days Itinerary
Elevation: 1,000 m to 1,200 m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45 Minutes
Habitat: Town
Eco Trail Expedition staff will meet and pick you up from JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi for overnight B/B.
Elevation: 1200m to 1700m to 3000m.
Distance: 13 km.
Hiking time: 5-7 hours.
Habitat: Montane forest.
After breakfast, our vehicle will transport you from the hotel drive to Machame Gate. Here you will do the required registration procedures, then you will start the trek through the rainforest to Machame Camp, where you will find the tents are already setup for you. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Elevation: 3000m to 3800m
Distance: 9km
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
After breakfast, leave the glades of the rainforest and continue ascending by crossing little valleys and steep rocky ridge covered with heather plants to the western side of the mountain where the camp is situated. At this camp you will be able to get the spectacular view of Mount Meru, Shira Plateau, Kibo Peak, and sunset; then dinner and overnight.
Elevation: 3800m to 3950m.
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
This is a long and important acclimatization day, so you will be having an early breakfast, then continue trekking east to a junction leading to Lava Tower Rock (4600m for acclimatization. Afterwards, you will continue down to Barranco Camp. The camp location is in the bottom valley of the Barranco Wall, where you will stop for dinner and overnight.
Elevation: 3950m to 3900m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
Habitat: Moorland
Today is a long day walk. In the morning you will start climbing the Barranco wall and reach 4200m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to the Karanga campsite for hot lunch. After lunch, you will proceed to Barafu campsite for dinner and overnight before the midnight ascent to the summit.
Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 10 to 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice.
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. The trails is a series of switchbacks up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 5 AM. At this point you will be having the views of the fabled crater and its glaciers facing you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here you will spend some times for taking photo’s but it will depend on how you feel. After your summit activities done, you will descend back to the Barafu campsite, for lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka campsite. Dinner and overnight at Mweka campsite.
Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest.
Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast, you will descend down to Mweka Park Gate, walking across Montane Forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. Here at the gate, you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well-deserved celebration.
Elevation: 1,200m to 1,000m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45 Minutes
Habitat: Town
Eco Trail Expedition staff will meet and pick you up from Moshi and transfer you back to JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or to Safari or Zanzibar if you have an extension. Because we do organize safaris too, please request this service.
Include
- Accommodation (two nights) at hotel in Moshi.
- 7 Days park Entrance fees
- 6 night camping fees
- 7 Days rescue fees
- Forest fees.
- Crater camp extra payments.
- Food 3 meals everyday on the mountain.
- Camping equipment such as tents, tables, chairs etc.
- Salaries to all porters, Cook, Assistant Guide and Chief guide
- Transfer to Lemosho gate and return to Moshi after the climb.
- Transfer from JRO to Hotel and return
- Small company first aid kit.
- Oxygen tank supply
- Oxymeter.
Exclude
- Tip for the supporting crew.
- Personal things.
- Food and drinks at your hotel.
- Any flight.
Essential Personal Equipment Checklist for Climbing.
- One sleeping bag
- One sleeping Mat
- One pair of climbing poles/sticks
- One large Duffle bag with straps / rucksack
- One head lamp / Flashlight + Batteries
- Water bottle - 2 liters x 2 bottle or camel bag bottle
- Camera / sufficient memory/film
- Purification water Tablets / Water Pump
- One pair sunglasses
- One pair of climbing hiking boots
- One pair of tennis Shoes - to begin climb/side walks
- Socks - thin and thick pairs
- One warm trousers
- Woolen Trousers and jacket with zippers
- Water proof / wind trousers & jackets
- Warm Sweater for cold nights
- Inner slacks - long Johns & Top
- Long / short sleeve T-shirt with zippers
- Pajamas and hand towel
- Shade Sun hat or cap
- Balaclava
- Gaiters
- Mitten / Gloves - poly thermal
If it happens you do not have any among from those which have mentioned, we will help
you on getting them from the hiring stores here in Moshi with reasonable price and not
Mzungu price.