The Machame or (Whiskey Route) is one of the most popular routes for Kilimanjaro climbers. We at Kilimanjaro on foot would recommend the 7-days program only to those planning to climb in November, April or May, the path may be eroded by rain making the climb more difficult. The 7-days program, on the other hand, offers success rates of 85% due to gradual acclimatization and will suit anyone aspiring to climb Kilimanjaro.
Day 0
Arrival
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet a dreamscape Travel representative, and transfer you to Moshi town where you will spend the first night at the hotel.
Transport: Private transfer (0.8 hour, 41 km)
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 1
Machame Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Machame Camp (3,010m/9,875ft)
Activity: The day starts with a morning briefing at your hotel in Moshi followed by a drive to the Machame Gate (about 1 hours). At the gate, you'll complete park formalities Our porters prepare and pack our supplies and luggage before we start our ascent along the forest trail to Machame Camp at 3010m. We will stay here overnight.
Hiking Time: Approximately 6-7 hours
Distance: About 10km
Elevation Gain: 1,210m (3,970ft)
Habitat: Rainforest
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 2
Machame Camp (3,010m/9,875ft) to Shira Camp (3,845m/12,615ft)
Activity: The trail continues through the rainforest, gradually ascending through heather and moorland zones. Our route now turns west into a river gorge until we reach Shira Cave Camp. It will be colder tonight than the previous night with temperatures possibly falling below freezing.
Hiking Time: Approximately 5-6 hours
Distance: About 9km
Elevation Gain: 835m (2,740ft)
Habitat: Moorland
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3
Shira Camp (3,845m/12,615ft) to Lava Tower (4,640m/15,223ft) and Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)
Activity: Today, the ascent to the impressive rock formation Lava Tower begins at an altitude of 4,640 meters. Here you eat lunch and enjoy the view, before heading slowly down the heights again to Barranco Camp where our team has camped and prepared food for you.
From the camp there is a nice view of Barranco Wall, and you can see ice glaciers further up. Around you can see some rare plants that only grow on Kilimanjaro.
Hiking Time: Approximately 6-7 hours
Distance: About 15km
Elevation Gain: 795m (2,615ft) to Lava Tower, then descent to 3,950m (12,960ft)
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4
Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Karanga Camp (4,035m/13,200ft)
Activity: Your group will have an early start this morning, after enjoying a filling breakfast you will begin climbing Barranco wall. We recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups, which can slow you down. Hiking up the Gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb you can have a rest and take photos in front of Kibo volcano.
The next part of the day is rife with ups and downs and your guides will choose the best pace for individual trekkers. A lunch break at Karanga Camp will be followed by an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with its highest point of the hike being 4,270m/14009f. The group then hikes back to Karanga Camp for the night.
Hiking Time: Approximately 4-5 hours
Distance: About 5km
Elevation Gain: 85m (280ft)
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5
Karanga Camp (4,035m/13,200ft) to Barafu Camp (4,680m/15,360ft)
Activity: After breakfast, you will begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp. Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax upon arrival. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization climb towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp with its highest point being 4,800m/15748f 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 the night summit.
Hiking Time: Approximately 4-5 hours
Distance: About 4km
Elevation Gain: 645m (2,120ft)
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6
Barafu Camp (4,680m/15,360ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft) and back to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)
Activity: Summit Day! You'll start your ascent in the middle of the night to reach the summit at sunrise. After reaching Uhuru Peak, you'll descend back to Barafu Camp for a short rest and then continue down to Mweka Camp.
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours to the summit, then 5-7 hours descent
Distance: Approximately 5km to the summit, 12km descent
Elevation Gain: 1,215m (3,990ft) ascent, 2,795m (9,170ft) descent
Habitat: Glacial zone, Alpine Desert, Moorland, Rainforest
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 7
Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,640m/5,380ft)
Activity: Your final descent through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate, where you'll receive your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. Transfer to your hotel.
Transport: Private transfer (0.5 hour, 17 km)
Hiking Time: Approximately 3-4 hours
Distance: About 10km
Elevation Loss: 1,460m (4,790ft)
Habitat: montane forest
Accommodation: Hotel
Departure
After a much-needed nights rest, we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged airport transfers with us or a safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you in the morning for your onward journey.
Transport: Private transfer (0.8 hour, 41 km)
Meals included: Breakfast
Trekking Cost:
NOTE: Additional day on mountain costs extra of $300/person
Price includes:
Price excludes: