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7 Days Machame Route + 2 Nights in Hotel

  • 7 Days
  • Mount Kilimanjaro

The Machame route, also referred to as the Whiskey route, is one of the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro and a favorite for us. Machame route is one of the highest summit success rates given the topography and nature of the route which allows climbers to “trek high & sleep low” hence making it a more favorable route for acclimatization. This route offers some of the most spectacular scenery while on the mountain.

The Machame route starts in the south west side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Lemosho routes just after the Shira cave camp. The Machame route can be done in minimum 6 days but a 7-day trek is recommended to allow climbers been well rested and acclimatized before making the final ascent to the summit.

Highlights of the Tour

  • Scenic landscapes
  • Good acclimatization
  • Incredible Natural Beauty
  • High rate to Summit Kilimanjaro

Full Itinerary

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet your Joica Tours & Safaris representative, and transfer you to the hotel of your choice in Arusha. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay. In the evening, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day. Overnight at your chosen accommodation level.

  • Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
  • Distance: 11km/7mi
  • Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Montane Forest

We will drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

After finishing registration, we now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp for overnight.

  • Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
  • Distance: 5km/3mi
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite for rest, dinner, and overnight stay at the campsite.

  • Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
  • Distance: 10km/6mi
  • Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Semi-desert

From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

  • Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
  • Distance: 5km/3mi
  • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, today will be a short but fun and meant for acclimatization. We leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elev 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

  • Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
  • Distance: 4km/2mi
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
  • Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.

  • Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
  • Descent to 3090m/10,150ft
  • Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 Hours Up / 5-6 Hours Down
  • Habitat: Stone Scree And Ice-Capped Summit

Today we will wakeup very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

  • Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft To 1680m/5500ft
  • Distance: 10km/6mi
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 Hours
  • Habitat: Forest

After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy, and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.

Joica Tours vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you to your hotel in Arusha.Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner, and celebrations!

After breakfast and rest will transfer you at Airport. But if you wish to extend your holiday for a Safari,fly to Zanzibar or other Activities then we can arrange for you to explore more Tanzania!

Included and Excluded

  • Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your Accommodations in Arusha
  • 2 night’s accommodation in Arusha (before & after the climb)
  • All National Park permits, camping fees, rescue fee, and Value Added Tax (VAT)
  • Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
  • 4 Season Mountain tents with comfortable Sleeping Mattress
  • Friendly and professional mountain guides, assisant guides, cook and porters
  • 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
  • Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
  • Hot water for washing
  • Fair wages for the mountain crew
  • Government taxes
  • Ox meter
  • Emergency first-aid kit
  • Lunch, dinner, and drink at your hotel both before and after your climb.
  • International Flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa fees
  • Tips for porters, Guide, Cook and Assistant Guide
  • Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 100 for the entire trek shared in a group.
  • Gear for your climb can aslo be hire such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
  • Items of personal nature
  • Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included

Customer Review

9.5

Reviews
GIVE A RATING
  • Mr. Taylor Houston,
    15 February, 2024
    • Overall
    • Tours
    • Food
    • Destination
    • Hospitality

    We have return back from our safari and Kilimanjaro climb adventure Joica Tours did not dissapoint us as we had received great hospitality from day we landed Tanzania until we depart from this beautiful Country.

    Reply (01)
    • Admin,
      19 Febraury, 2024

      Thanks for your review.

      Reply
  • Srileka Panday,
    05 January, 2024
    • Overall
    • Tours
    • Food
    • Destination
    • Hospitality

    Thank you for your amazing service for our journey to Tanzania. We will probably be back soon. see you Joica Tours Team.

    Reply
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