6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Overview

Machame Route is known as the “Whisky Route” and is one of the most popular routes. The route has steeper trails and the distances are longer. The trek leads through the afromontane forest, into the heath zone, on to the remnants of the Shira volcano and onto the main peak of Kibo. The 6 day trek is suitable for very fit climbers. We suggest adding an extra day on Day 4 to acclimatise. The night camping will be at Karanga Camp (3,900metres/12,796ft). The trek is relatively short and will take approximately 4 to 5 hours from Barranco Camp. The afternoon is spent acclimatising.

5 – 6 Days
Age 15+
Tanzania

Tour Plan

Day 1:

You will be picked up from the Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. The remainder of the day will be getting ready for the trek. Your guide will brief you on the climb and go through an extensive equipment check.

Dinner
Overnight Hotel Accommodation

Day 2:

After breakfast you will be taken to Machame Gate where you start your climb through the dense forest. A picnic lunch will be taken en-route to Machame Camp. Accommodation is in spacious 2 person tents.

Machame Gate (1,817metres/5,961ft) to Machame Camp (3,021metres/9,911ft)
6 to 7 hours

Day 3:

After an early breakfast, you walk through the rainforest until you reach the steep ascent onto Shira Plateau. Midway stop for a picnic lunch. Here you can see breath taking views of Mount Meru.

Machame Camp (3,021metres/9,911ft) to Shira Camp (3,830metres/12,566ft)
Duration: 5 to 7 hours

Day 4:

You pass trek on the south side of Kilimanjaro, walking on high moorland. You will pass underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach.

Shira Camp (3,830metres/12,566ft) to Barranco Camp (3,972metres/13,031ft)
Duration: 7 to 8 hours

Day 5:

A steep and difficult walk which goes through the scree slopes. There is hardly any vegetation here. The walk is hard due to the altitude. An early dinner followed by an early night.

Barranco Camp (3,972metres/13,031ft) to Barafu Camp (4,640metres/19,340ft)
Duration: 7 to 8 hour

Day 6:

An exciting day – the final ascent will start around midnight. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. You will ascend via Stella Point (5,750metres/18,865ft) and reach the crater rim of Kilimanjaro at sunrise and then on to Uhuru Peak at 5,895metres. Congratulations! You have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in the entire continent of Africa! After celebrations and photos you start your descend of 1 to 2 hours back to Barafu Camp where you will have a warm meal. You then continue your long descent to Mweka Hut for dinner and overnight.

Barafu Camp (4,640metres/19,340ft to Uhuru Peak (5,895metres/19,340ft) and down to Mweka Camp (3,100metres/10,171ft)
Duration: 14 to 16 hours