The Machame route: is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro as also known as the “Whiskey” route,. Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. It is the route of choice for many people because it provides impressive views and a variety of habitats. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking or backpacking women experience.
The Machame route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with a short distance to drive from Arusha to Machame Gate. The path leads hikers through the rain forest to Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro’s routes converge. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka Route.
DAY 01: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha.
Distance: 43 Km
Time: 45 Minutes
Welcome to Tanzania.On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you’ll meet your company arranged driver who will transfer you to Arusha city to Green Mountain Hotel for dinner and overnight. Our driver will display your name on an Mupana Tours signboard. These procedures ensure that you are picked up by the correct driver, rather than by some of the airport taxi drivers who are looking for business. You’ll get a chance for Mountain Trekking briefing/introduction before your dinner.
- Meals: Dinner and Overnight
- Accommodation: Green Mountain Hotel
- Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
DAY 02:Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft
Distance: 11 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
After early breakfast at 07.00, followed by a 2 hours (86Km) drive from Arusha city to the Machame Gate. The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment at the gate. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience. You’ll have your delicious lunch before you reach Machame Camp in the late afternoon.Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will have erected your tent on arrival. In the evening the porters will bring a small bowl of washing water to your tent while your chef prepare the dinner, before you have a sleep in your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite.
- Meals: Breakfast- Picnic lunch box and Dinner
- Accommodation: Machame Camp (9,350 ft)
- Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
DAY 03:Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Heath
After breakfast at Machame camp you’ll start to climb an hour to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you’ll be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you’ll reach the Shira campsite. The porters will once again supply you with a small bowl of washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
- Meals: Breakfast- Picnic lunch box and Dinner
- Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp (12,500 ft)
- Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
DAY 04: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower
Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance: 3 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
The route today turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4642m after about a 5 hour trek. Lunch is served at a designated area. This is definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start experiencing symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 658m to the Barranco camping area.
After summit the high altitude at Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for your dinner to be prepared.
- Meals: Breakfast- Picnic lunch box and Dinner
- Accommodation: Barranco Camp (13,044 ft)
- Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
DAY 05: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After early breakfast today you’ll begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then you’ll start to climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall you’ll cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization. Rest in your camp for Dinner and Overnight.
- Meals: Breakfast- Picnic lunch box and Dinner
- Accommodation: Karanga Camp (13,106 ft)
- Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
DAY 06: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast you’ll leave Karanga where you’ll hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. Then you’ll continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position. Dinner and Overnight at Barafu Camp
- Meals: Breakfast- Picnic lunch box and Dinner
- Accommodation: Barafu Camp (15,331ft)
- Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
DAY 07: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Today early in the morning (around 01.00 Midnight), you’ll beagan begin to summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. You’ll ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you’ll be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, you arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point as our target peak on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
DESCENT.
From the summit at Uhuru Peak, you’ll now start descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, you’ll enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well rest in the camp.
- Meals: Breakfast- Picnic lunch box and Dinner
- Accommodation: Mweka Camp (10,065 ft)
- Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
DAY 09:Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Arusha
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, complete the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. You’ll continue another hour to Mweka Village, watch your step during the descent as the trail can be slippery.Our vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Arusha City to your hotel for hot shower.
- Meals:Breakfast-Picnic Lunch box and Dinner
- Accommodation: Green Mountain Hotel
- Professional English speaking guide
DAY 10 :Departure to Kilimanjaro International Airport
After breakfast your driver will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport where you’ll board your flight back to your lovely country.
TOUR INCLUDES.
Mupana Tours – Transport:
Coaster Bus
Mupana Tours – Trip Crew:
* Mupana Tours mountain guide
* Mupana Tours mountain chef
* Mupana Tours mountain porters
Mupana Tours Treat
10 Breakfast, 9 Lunch & 8 Dinner
Treated Drinking Water
Accommodation:
2 night in Arusha, 8 nights on the Mountain
Park Entrance Fee:
Park Fee
Camp Fee
Camping Equipment:
* Sleeping Tents
* Dinning Tents
* Sleeping mattress
* Utensils
* Tables and chairs
Award:
Certificate of Achievement if you reach Gilman’s point(5681M), Stella point(5685M) or Uhuru point(5895M).
TOUR EXCLUDES.
Flight:
International Flights and Insurance
Visa:
$100 per person for US Nationals and $50 per person for other Country Nationals
Drinks:
All type of soft and hard drinks
Personal items:
* Laundry
* Toiletries
Tips
- Mountain guide: $15 US per day / per guide / per group.
- Mountain Chef: $10 US per day / per group.
- Mountain Porter: $8 US per day / per porter.