7-Day Trek + 2 nights hotel
Mar 6, 2024 - Mar 14, 2024
Route Summary
The Machame Route aka the The Whiskey Route is the most popular route with fabulous scenery and great acclimatization, allowing you to walk high and sleep low throughout your climb. The success rate for this route is a whopping 85% on average and above 93% with us. Unfortunately because of its success rate and scenery it does get busy especially during peak season.
Itinerary
Arrive in Kilimanjaro | 1400 m/4,593ft
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be driven to your hotel where you will relax and recuperate after your long journey to Tanzania.
Machame Gate to Machame Camp | 3100 m/10,170ft
After your restful night at the hotel you will be picked up for your 1-2 hour drive to the gate. Upon arrival you and your guide will register your trek with the Park while your porters pack and organize their load for their fast walk to camp. You will be given a box lunch and briefing before beginning your trek through the forest.The first hour will be an easy trek but gets a bit more labor intensive as the slope gradually increases in elevation. You will progress through the forest and onto the moorland where your first camp is located. You will be greeted by your server with a warm cup of tea, snacks and a welcoming smile.
Hiking for the day: 5-7 hours, 10 km/6.21miles/ elevation gained 1200 m/3,937ft at 3100 m/10,170ft
Machame Camp to Shira Camp | 3845m/12,6143ft
As the sun rises on a clear morning you will see the snow covered Kibo peak in the distance. Wake up to the smell of coffee and the hustle and bustle of your team as they prepare breakfast and water for your personal use. You will begin your trek through the moorland crossing streams as you ascend through the valley along a steep rocky ridge. Your path will take you west towards a river gorge where you will feel like you are indeed on a big mountain. Shira Camp is at the base of a semi-circular wall of rocks. After snacks and tea you will be encouraged by your guide to take an acclimatization hike (1-2 hours) towards Lava Tower.Take time to sit by the stream and enjoy the flow of water as you await your server’s dinner call. Be sure to go out at night and gaze at the stars, you might even get a glimpse of the Milky Way painting the sky in lovely colors.
Hiking for the day: 7 hours, 6 km/3.73 miles, elevation gained 745m/2,444ft
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp | 3950 m/12,959ft
Habari za Asubuhi!!!! Your hike today will be one of the most valuable days for acclimatization with only a 50m/164ft gain in elevation. You will make your way to the Lava Tower (4630/15190ft) where you will be served lunch in your tent as you rest before making your way down to your next camp. You will hike around the southern flank of Kibo, and slowly descend into the spectacular Barranco Valley. There Doc Suess’s imagination comes to life. The landscape is interspersed with giant lobelia and giant groundsels plants surrounded by big rocks and slow streaming mini waterfalls. You will arrive at the most spectacular campsite yet. The campsite sits below the foot of Kibo Peak. Wake to the sight of the rising sun hovering over the peak in yellow warm light.
Hiking for the day: 5-6 hours, 10 km/6.2miles elevation gained 50m/164ft
Barranco Camp to Karanga | 4600 m/15,091ft
Hakuna Matata!!! Today you will put your legs to the test by climbing a 300m/ 984ft volcanic rock. You will make your way to the eastern side of the valley, across the stream to the Barranco Wall where you will begin your climb. It is not as difficult as it seems as the path is very straightforward. The views from the wall are magnificent! You will look behind you and see your camp in the far distance and be amazed at your achievements. The remaining hike skirts around the base of Kibo peak where you descend into the Karanga Valley to arrive at your camp for the night. We recommend doing an acclimatization hike of 1-2 hours (towards Barafu camp) after you rest a little at camp.
Hiking for the day: 6-8 hours, 8 km/4.8miles elevation gained 650 m/132ft; at 4600 m/15,091ft
Karanga to Barafu Camp / 4673m/15,330ft
The day before you ascend to the roof of Africa!! After breakfast you will make your way to Barafu camp where you will gain 665m/2,181ft in elevation. Your climb will take you across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around you.On arriving at Barafu camp you will have lunch and will be encouraged to rest for the grueling night ahead of you. After dinner our guides will go through your attire with you, getting you prepared for the Arctic zone of Uhuru Peak.
Hiking for the day: 3 hours, 3 km/1.9miles with an elevation gain of 665 m/2,181ft at 4640m/15,223ft
The Summit to Millennium Camp | 5895 m/19340ft
Here we go!!! This is what you came here to do! To conquer the majestic Kilimanjaro! You will be woken up by your server with a warm cup of tea and snacks before heading towards the summit. Your journey starts at midnight, fasten your head lamp, bundle up in all the clothes you bought and head towards the peak! You Got this! The moon will help light the way as you go poli poli up the steep incline. Remember to take deep breaths and practice your mindfulness. You have prepared for this for months and now is the moment of truth. After roughly 6 hours you will find yourself at Stella Point (5,756m/18,885ft) just as the sun begins to rise beneath the clouds. Our guides will offer you a warm cup of tea and snacks before making your way to the summit.You will then proceed to climb for another 1-2 hours past the melting glaciers of Kilimanjaro and on to the summit. Congratulations!! You did it!!! Now take as many pictures as you possibly can! This is an achievement worth bragging about on social media! You are now at the highest point in Africa, and the world’s highest solitary peak (5895 m/19,340ft). The descent is invigorating as you make your way back to Barafu camp for a short rest and lunch before heading to Millennium camp for the remainder of the day and night.
Hiking for the day: Barafu – Uhuru: 7 hours, 5 km/3.1miles elevation gained 1300 m/4,265ft; at 5895 m/19340ft, Uhuru to Barafu camp 3-4 hrs.
Uhuru – Millennium Camp: 5 hours, 12 km/7.45miles, decrease elevation 2800 m/9186ft at 3100 m/10,170ft
Millennium to Mweka Gate | 1400 m/4593ft
Today you descend through the rain forest on a jungle path similar to the one you did before. This will take you 4-6 hours on tired legs.Once at the gate you will be fed a hearty meal before heading back to your hotel where you will receive a bonafide certificate of your achievement.
Hiking for the day: 4-6 hours, 10 km/6,2miles decrease elevation 1250 m/4,101ft at 1828 m/5,997ft
Departure
Ground transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport and departure or on to your safari and cultural adventures with us.
