The Machame route, is one of the second oldest route to the summit of Kilimanjaro it is alsoknown as the Whisky Route and is one of the most scenic and recommended routes onKilimanjaro just for its scenery. This popular route start through the magnificent rain forest to moorland zones all the way to the Shira Plateau and then join Umbwe and Lemosho route at Barranco camp.
Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met at the airport with our driver holding signboard with group name/ leader name with company logo to avoid confusion and transferred to the hotel in Moshi, if you will be arriving before 4pm then we will conduct thorough pre climb briefing with your mountain guide who will double check the climbing gears and itinerary also answer all the question you may have.
Hiking distance; 11 km
Hiking time; 5-7hrs
After breakfast your team of guides will be waiting to weigh your duffle to make sure its not above 15kg and ready to board our van driving to Machame gate (1490M) which will take approximately 45min to 1 hour, at the gate you will receive a lunch pack, and bottled mineral water while going through paper works/entrance registrations. After that you will start hiking for 6 to 7 hours under the forest canopy, expect rain or foggy wet weather and mud today. Your porters will arrive at camp before you and will set your tent before you arrive.
Hiking distance; 5 km
Hiking time; 4-5hrs
At Machame camp wake up early around 6am have breakfast by 7am and your guide will have 5min briefing to review today’s hiking scenario and start hiking by 7:30am, climb for an hour to the top of the forest here there is great view of the rain forest and mount Meru at far distance, then for 2 hours through a gentle moorland, continue up for 2 hours hike in a rocky ridge you will arrive at the Shira campsite.
Hiking distance; 7 km
Hiking time; 5-6hrs
A Big acclimatization hike day, start your day usually before 8am and hike through a rocky landscape to reach the prominent landmark called Lava Tower at 4,630 m. This chunky remnant of Kilimanjaro’s earlier volcanic activity is several hundred feet high, and the trail passes right below it. Here we will stop for hot lunch to enable our body acclimatize Then descend for 2 hours below the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall to Barranco Camp at 3,950 m. There are numerous photo opportunities on this hike, especially if the walls are festooned with ice. Barranco Camp is the perfect place for the sunset if you lucky with the weather and at night you could see the view of Moshi town right beneath your feet.
Hiking distance; 9km
Hiking time; 6-7hrs
After breakfast, we continue up a steep ridge to the great Barranco Wall, then you climb this imposing obstacle, which turns out to be easier than it looks. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is and here we will take very fun pictures if clouds won’t be the obstacle. With Kibo’s glaciers soaring overhead, you descend into the lush Karanga Valley to the Karanga Valley campsite where we will make a break for hot lunch and then proceed through rocky and stone scree and pebbles trail until we hit the junction which connects Mweka Trail (Descending trail). We 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, the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position. After arriving at the camp have lunch and rest and expect an early dinner then you will have final preparation meeting for the night summit hike.
Hiking distance; 6km (Barafu camp to Uhuru peak)
Hiking time; 6-7hrs
Hiking distance; 11km (Uhuru peak via Barafu to Mweka camp)
Hiking time; 4-5hrs
This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek, the ascend normally will start around mid night, the wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (5,685 m) , you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see , At Stella point will make not long break for pictures and hot drink before we proceed to Uhuru peak, here you may encounter snow on your remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak depending on the weather situation, At Uhuru peak time we spend on top is not more that 10-15min depending with the weather and the crowd but we guarantee you will take your lifetime memorable pictures at the top then you will start your descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, here you will have almost 1hours stopover for resting and branch , collect your gear, and hike down on a step rock trail to Mweka forest Camp (3,100 m).
Hiking distance; 11km
Hiking time; 3-4 hrs
After a well-deserved breakfast, we will conduct tip ceremony sing and dance together
while one representative from the climber will say few words to supporting team and shake hands, hand over the tips money the start descending through the heavy rain forest to Mweka gate. At the gate you will sign out at the park registry book and guide will collect your achievement certificate then load the van drive back to hotel through the nourishing colorfully coffee farms and cheerful villagers, you may stopover for some souvenirs, at the hotel you will meet company representative who will sort out and arrange your next schedule weather its Safari or airport drop-off, and agree pickup time.
If you are catching late evening flight you may arrange some short daytrips with our office representatives, please make sure you leave the hotel 3 hours before your flight
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