Mountain Kilimanjaro Trekking
Northern Circuit - Tanzania Top Destinations
7 Days
Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climbing
Tour Overview
If you want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for the first time and want to have a wonderful time, this is the route we recommend. Trekking through the Machame route, also known as the “Whisky route,” will increase your chances of reaching Africa’s highest point. The Machame route is steeper in some places than other routes such as Marangu, Rongai, and Lemosho.
Because of its success rates and popularity, the Machame route is the busiest of all Kilimanjaro routes. The Machame route also provides visitors with the best acclimatization experience and the best views of the peak. Favorable weather conditions across five climatic zones suit visitors and maximize their chances of reaching the summit.
Full Itinerary
When you arrive in Tanzania, whether through Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport,you will be met by our native professional driver guide, who will provide you with important information and details about your trip and program.
He will help you load and sort your luggage before driving you to your hotel for rest, dinner, and overnight. On the way to the hotel, your driver guide will share the best stories and information about Tanzania and its people’s culture with you.
Elevation: 1800m to 2835m.
The journey to Machame Gate begins early in the morning, shortly after breakfast. Your guide and the rest of the crew will meet you at the hotel and get you ready for the journey. Following the completion of the hotel checkout procedure, a drive to Machame gate begins with all crew aboard the car. The crew will greet you with a wide smile and some motivational Swahili songs, which all mean a lot about Kilimanjaro.
Visitors and crew must register at the gate upon arrival before entering the park. This is to assist the authority in keeping track of all tourists and visitors to the park. When you arrive at Machame Camp, you will be given hot water to wash your body and a hot dinner.
Elevation: 2835m to 3750m
Another breathtaking day of Kilimanjaro Adventure begins early in the morning. Get up and have a hot breakfast with your tour guide. While you are eating breakfast, your guide will give you day tips to help you understand how the rest of the day will go.
After breakfast, you begin walking, leaving the rainforest behind. You walk through small water streams, up a steep rocky ridge, and then turn west to Shira camp site, where you will rest, eat, and camp for the night.
Elevation: 3750m to 4600m to 3900m
Continue walking east up the ridge from Shira Camp, passing the junction to Kibo Peak. As you proceed, the path changes to the south-east, leading to Lava Tower and then to Barranco Camp.
Today is an excellent day for acclimatization and experiencing the difference in altitudes on Kilimanjaro, as climbers will be walking up to high altitude and sleeping at low altitude at Barranco Campsite. Lunch will be served at Lava Towa Camp, and dinner will be served at Barranco Camp.
Elevation: 3900m to 3995m
After breakfast in the morning, a hike up the Barranco wall to Karanga camp begins. We recommend that you leave the camp as soon as possible so that you have enough time to rest after the wall. Going up the wall is not difficult because it only takes an hour and a half to reach the top. The Barranco wall offers excellent photo opportunities as well as a spectacular view of the Barranco Valley.
Walking up to Karanga Campsite, which is 4670 meters above sea level, is more of a climbing experience, and it also serves as a warm-up for hiking to Kilimanjaro’s summit. Walking time in this area ranges from 4-5 hours for a normal 5km walk.
Elevation: 3995m to 4700m
After breakfast, you begin walking from Karanga Campsite to Barafu Campsite, which is 4670 meters above sea level, a walk that will take you between 4-5 hours to cover a distance of 5 kilometers. Lunch and dinner will be provided at the Barafu Campsite.
This day will give you enough time to rest, acclimate, and prepare for the summit hike the next day, which will begin around 00:00am.
Elevation: 4670m to 5895m to 3100m
A journey to the summit begins around 02:00 a.m., led by your head guide and the assistance guide, and accompanied by experienced porters carrying light bags containing your necessary items for use on the peak. Walking up to the summit is a difficult task that requires both mental and physical strength.
At 5,756m Stella Point, you will take a short break and be rewarded by the most spectacular sunrise you have ever seen. You may encounter snow throughout your one-hour ascent to the summit. You have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the African continent at Uhuru Peak. The sunrise will be visible from the summit for faster hikers.
From the summit, we continue straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping for lunch at Barafu.
Elevation: 3100m to 1640m
After breakfast, we continue walking down to Mweka Gate, where you will receive your Kilimanjaro Climbing Summit Certificate. Because the land is normally wet and slippery at lower elevations, it is recommended to wear gaiters and use your walking poles only to support your body and avoid falling down. At Mweka gate, you will be served a hot lunch and will celebrate your last day with the entire crew. Following the celebration and lunch, the drive to Arusha/Moshi will begin.
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