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Machame Route

Duration
Difficulty level
Price
6-7 days Hard $1,650-$1,700

Known as “The Whiskey Route”, Machame is a great climb straight up the mountain’s face. The days are longer and harder than on Marangu, both in time spent on the trail and vertical feet covered in a day. Designated campsites along the trail welcome you each night but there are no facilities other than basic outhouses. A trail for the slightly more adventurous climber but certainly a favorite along with Marangu

Machame Route 6 – 7 Days Itinerary

Day 1: Machame Gate (1,800m) to Machame Camp (3,000m)
After breakfast you will be met and transferred to Machame village where you begin your trek, Here you will meet our porters and Guides sort out the food and gear to be carried up to the mountain. You will receive a lunch box and water.Start walk through dense forest with a stop for lunch. , it will take us about 5 – 6 hours. Arrive at your first camp site late this afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay. B.L.D.

Day 2: Machame Camp (3,000m) to Shira Camp (3,840m)
A hike of about 5- 6 hours will take us up 14,000 feet just below Lava Tower and then back down to our Shira camp in the Great Barranco valley. The view of the Great Breach Wall is better from this camp than anywhere on the mountain. There is also the possibility of climbing to the top of Lava tower (4600m) and from this point you have a close view of little Penck Glaciers and the Western Breach.Dinner and overnight stay. B.L.D.

Day 3: Shira Camp (3,840m) to Barranco Camp (3,950m)
A hike of about 5-6 hours, the route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky environment where you reach an altitude of 4600m after five hours walk to Lava tower,where you stop for lunch. As you ascend from Shira camp there are breathtaking views of the Shira needles to western Oehler Ridge. Dinner and overnight stay. B.L.D.
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Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,950m) to Karanga Valley Camp (4,200m)
It takes about a 2-3 hours, hike today to climb out of the Barranco valley and ascends to over 14,000 feet. We then traverse below the glaciers of the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro before we descend into Karanga valley for the night. Here you will have great photo opportunities of the beautiful Western Breach and the great Barranco Walls and this is the perfect place to collect good drinking water which is found running off streams supplied by the melting glacier ice and snow. The porters erect tents and provide hot tee and snacks and while your Chef cook is preparing your meals. Dinner and overnight stay. B.L.D.

Day 5: Karanga Valley Camp (4,200m) to Barafu Camp (4,600m)
This morning begin your trek Karanga camp which is at the same altitude as Barranco camp. The day is spent climb up and down the slopes of the mountain.The hiking time 3-4. Arrive at your next camp site in time for lunch. This afternoon you will have the opportunity to hike in the Karanga Valley where giant senecios and giant lobelia grow.Or you may like to rest in preparation for the climb ahead. Dinner and overnight stay. B.L.D.

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,600m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3,100m)
Summit day! you are awakened after midnight and following a light breakfast begin the climb at 1:00am while still dark.Climb approximately 6 hours before reaching the edge of the crater between Stella and Hans Meyer points.Another hour of climbing brings you to the summit,the highest point of mount Kilimanjaro.This will allow us to be near the crater rim in the morning and above all you are also rewarded about the most beautiful African sunrise ever. This early time will make you also to have a great view of all three distinct highest Peaks of Africa: Mawenzi, Shira and Kibo. Commence your descent back to Barafu Camp, for lunch and then you will be able to have a short rest, before continiung your descent.Arrive at Mweka camp late this afternoon after a tiring but rewarding trek. Here we celebrate our archievements, unforgetable of our life.Dinner an overnight stay. B.L.D.

Day 7: Descend – Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka Gate (1,500m) 
A final day descend through forest to Mweka gate to collect Gold certificates for those who reached the summit (Uhuru Peak). Congratulation ! With 5 to 6 hours of hiking to the trail head at Mweka Gate.The trail is steep in places and within the forest may be slippery if wet. At the gate we will temporarily say goodbye to our mountain crew and enjoy a picnic lunch.Our driver will take you back to the Hotel for a hot showers and a celebration .For those returning home you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight.Those heading out on safari or to Zanzibar will prepare for the continuation of your exciting safari – Adventure. B.D