The Machame Route is one of the most popular on Kilimanjaro, offering both great scenery and challenges. At a total length of 65km, Machame (Whiskey Route) is one of the most popular for Kilimanjaro climbers
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Embark on a stirring, thrilling hiking adventure through the wilderness to the roof of Africa.
- Breathtaking adventure on the slopes of the highest mountain of Africa - Kilimanjaro.
- Have a lifetime of memories of the mesmerising panoramic vistas on Africa at its rawest from Uhuru Peak
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Day 2: Trekking from Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- Day 3: Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp
- Day 4: Shira to Barranco Camp via an Asscent to Lava Tower
- Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga
- Day 6: Karanga to Barafu Camp
- Day 7: Summiting on Uhuru Peak and descent to Millennium Camp
- Day 8: Mellennium Camp to Mweka Gate
- Day 9: Depart Kilimanjaro
Tailor-made suggestions for this itinerary
- Take a few extra days and visit Arusha, Serengeti and Ngorongoro in Tanzania
- Combine Tanzania with neighbouring Kenya and experience the Serengeti & Masai Mara with our Best of Kenya and Tanzania package
- If you are up for some more trekking you cant go past seeing the Uganda Gorillas
- Or if you just need some time relaxation time why not have some beach time with a side trip to the Island paradise of Zanzibar which is home to some of the most idyllic, unspoiled beaches in the world
Travelling with Eclipse
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Day 1: Arrival
You will be collected by one of our staff at Kilimanjaro Airport for transfer to your hotel as per the programme booked. After some rest at the Hotel where you can avail yourself of all its amenities including hot showers, comfortable beds, free Wi-Fi and swimming pool, a briefing and pre-climb check of your readiness will be conducted by your climb manager.
Day 2: Trekking from Machame Gate to Machame Camp
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). The first stage of climbing Kilimanjaro on the Machame Route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your raincoats.
This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
- Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
- Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
- Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.
At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Altitude: Machame Gate (1,800 m) — Machame Camp (3,010 m)
Distance: 5 km
Time: 5–6 hrs.
Day 3: Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp (3,845 m). On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Physically speaking, the trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 300 meter gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp you will be served a hot dinner.
NB: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully climbing Mount Kilimanjaro up the Machame Route and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp:
Altitude: Machame Camp (3,010 m) — Shira Camp (3,845 m)
Distance: 5 km
Time: 4–5hrs.
Acclimatization hike:
Altitude: Shira Camp (3,845 m) — Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,120 m)
Distance: 2 km
Time: 1–2 hrs.
Day 4: Trekking from Shira Camp to the Lava Tower and descent to Barranco Camp
Depart Shira Camp after breakfast and head towards Lava Tower ascending from 3,845 to 4,630 m. The rise-and-fall nature of this trek may present some difficulties. However, the 4,600 m altitude at the Lava Tower itself is crucial for proper acclimatization. The lunch break will take place here in order to give you some extra high-altitude time before descending approximately 650 m to Barranco Camp (3,960 m), which is the next overnight stop on this route.
Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day you will be climbing it, but don't worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.
NB: In those cases where some group members feel uncomfortable climbing up to Lava Tower, the route may be changed to bypass it resulting in the highest point reached 4,400 meters.
Altitude: Shira Camp (3,845 m) — Lava Tower (4,630 m) — Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
Distance: 11 km
Time: 6–8 hrs.
Day 5: Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
On this day it is best to make an early start to avoid crowding on the way up Barranco Wall. Despite the Wall's seemingly daunting height and steepness the actual climb is rather merciful at a mere hour or so. The top provides a great photo opportunity with Kibo Peak as the backdrop.
The next part of the day is rife with ups and downs where your guides will choose the best place for individual climbers.
A lunch break at Karanga Camp shall be followed by an acclimatisation climb towards Barafu with its highest point being 4,270 m. The group then drops back to Karanga Camp for the overnight.
Trekking between Barranco and Karanga Camp:
Altitude: Barranco: 3,960 m - Karanga: 4,035 m.
Distance: 5 km
Time: 4–5 hrs.
Acclimatization climb:
Altitude: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — highest point reached: 4,270 m
Distance: 2.5 km
Time: 1–2 hrs.
Day 6: Trekking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization climb towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp with its highest point being 4,800 m and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.
Trekking between Karanga and Barafu Camp:
Altitude: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
Distance: 6 km
Time: 4–5 hrs.
Acclimatization climb:
Altitude: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) — Kosovo Camp (4,800 m)
Distance: 2 km
Time: 1–2 hrs.
Day 7: Accent to Uhuru Peak and descent to Millennium Camp
Summiting starts around midnight from 4,635 m, ending on Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m. While the trek itself is fairly simple, rarified mountain air does does pose a challenge. Therefore, a guide who will monitor their condition throughout the climb shall accompany every two climbers ensuring safety above all. Upon summiting, you shall have an opportunity to walk on the nearby glacier.
The descent to 3,820 m at Millennium Camp starts after a two-hour rest back at Barafu Camp.
NB: Descent is deceptively easy with treacherous footing and results in 90% of accidents. Mind your feet if you want to avoid falling and damaged toenails!
Altitude: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) — Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — Millennium Camp (3,820 m)
Distance: 15.5 km
Time: 7–12 hrs.
Day 8: Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate
This last camp’s position being far lower at the forest line will afford you a good night’s sleep further enhanced by thoughts of having reached the top. Breakfast will be followed by the return to 1,650 m at the final point in this adventure- Mweka Gate. After a short celebration with the whole of the climb crew and arrival at our offices, you will receive your climb certificates, followed by the drive to your lodge.
Altitude: Millennium Camp (3,820 m) — Mweka Gate (1,650 m)
Distance: 12 km
Time: 4–5 hrs.
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast and some rest you will check out at 11 and transfer to Kilimanjaro airport.
- Day 1: Arrival
- Day 2: Trekking from Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- Day 3: Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp
- Day 4: Trekking from Shira Camp to the Lava Tower and descent to Barranco Camp
- Day 5: Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
- Day 6: Trekking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- Day 7: Accent to Uhuru Peak and descent to Millennium Camp
- Day 8: Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate
- Day 9: Departure
Suggested Accommodation
| City | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Kilimanjaro | Aishi Machame Hotel or similar |
| Kilimanjaro | Machame Camp or similar |
| Kilimanjaro | Shira Camp or similar |
| Kilimanjaro | Barranco Camp or similar |
| Kilimanjaro | Karanga Camp or similar |
| Kilimanjaro | Barafu Camp or similar |
| Kilimanjaro | Millenium Camp or similar |
Whats included?
- Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Transfer to the hotel — Aishi Machame Hotel in Moshi*
- Accommodation prior to the climb (including breakfast; sharing a twin room)
- Transfer to the trail head
- Professional mountain crew. All guides have "Wilderness First Responder" and "Wilderness First Aid" certificates, along with over 7 years of experience in climbing. Each participant will be provided with a porter (who can carry up to 15 kg of personal baggage)
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits
- Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
- Camping/hut fees
- 3 square meals daily. The menu includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian options are available upon request
- Modern The North Face VE-25 tents**
- Oxygen systems and pulse oximeters
- First aid kit
- Warm and comfortable sleeping pads (2 inches thick)
- Group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery)
- Meeting the group at the National Park exit and transfer to the hotel
- Accommodation after the climb (including breakfast; sharing a twin room)
- International certificates for a successful ascent
- Return transfer to Kilimanjaro airport
* Basic tour package price includes sharing a twin room. If you need a single bed accommodation only, please let us know a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the start of the tour.
** During the climb you will share a tent with 1-2 other climbers, depending on the number of participants. If you need an individual tent, please let us know.
What’s not included?
- • Airline tickets
- • Visa fee
- • Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent)
- • Personal gear rentals
- • Tips for the mountain crew (200–250 USD per person)
- • Mountaineering insurance
Notes
** The climb can also be booked on private basis departing daily**
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
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