6 Day Trekking Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Climbing Program Summary

Kilimanjaro Trekking through the Machame route is popularly known as the “Whiskey” route, begins at Machame Gate, and takes 6 days, located at the southern base of the mountain, within its green, abundant rainforest. We climb to the Shira Plateau, then traverse the mountain beneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Icefield, before summiting from Barafu Hut. Machame is a good choice for people who want to enjoy a scenic hike on a challenging route in the shortest amount of time.

Climbing Program Details in Days

 Day 1: Arusha to Machame Camp (3000m 6-7 hours walking)

The climb starts from Machame gate (1800m) after registration  Once at the gate you will be given a packed lunch, and your climb will begin with ascending into the rainforest. During the day – The path follows a ridge through dense montane forest. This is the richest forested area on the mountain, and also the zone from where 98% of the water on Kilimanjaro originates. On sunny days, and especially in the dry season is very lush and beautiful; it can also be a very muddy experience, particularly if it has rained recently. About halfway up – we will have a break and you can enjoy your packed lunch. We will reach the Machame Camp in the late afternoon. After your arrival and registration at Machame Camp, you will be taken to your tent which has already been set up by the porters who ran ahead, where you will be greeted with hot washing water. Once you have freshened up and settled in a hot dinner will be served in the mess tent. We may get our first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo if the evening clouds permit.

Day 2: Climb Machame to Shira Camp (4-5 hours walking Alt – 3850)

You will be woken up after your first night on the mountain with a nice cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate at 6:30 am in your tent. After breakfast A shorter day that begins by climbing up a steep ridge, we leave the rainforest and continue our ascent crossing a small valley into open moorlands where the vegetation is sparse with small shrubs to reach a small semicircular cliff known as picnic rock. There are excellent views of Kibo and the jagged rim of the Shira Plateau from here and it is a good rest point too, the trail continues less steeply to reach the Shira Plateau. We camp near Shira Hut (3840m) which has some of the most stunning views on Kilimanjaro; close to the huge volcanic cone of Kibo, the spectacular rock formations of Shira Plateau, and looking across Mt. Meru floating on the clouds. At the camp, you will be welcomed with hot washing water. You can then put your feet up with a cup of tea and some snacks. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.

Day 3: Climb Shira 3,840m to lover tower 4,630m to Barranco Camp 3,950m. 6-7 hours of walking

The route now turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5-hour walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scream path to Lava Tower (4630m). Definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. After lunch, you descend again by almost 680m to the Barranco Camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4630m at Lava Lava Tower, the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco Camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to lie below the Breach and the great Barranco wall. Which should provide you with a memorable sunset and extensive views of the plains far below. while you wait for the preparation of your dinner

Day 4: Barranco via Karanga Camp 13,100ft to Barafu Camp(4600m. 6-7 hours walking)

After spending a night at the Great Barranco Valley, A steep climb up the Barranco wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, (a very imposing sight at first) you make your way up this awesome-looking obstacle, which is the end normally turns out easier than what you anticipated topping out just below the hem glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another forty minutes or so, you reach Barafu Hut. The last water stop on the route is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu Camp.

Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, make sure that you are familiar yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, walking stick, and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. Go to bed as soon as you finish your dinner, and try to get some precious rest and sleep.

Day 5: Summit Attempt. Barafu Camp(4550m)- Uhuru Peak(5895m)-Mweka(3100m)

The wake-up tea will be served at 11:30 pm with the departure at midnight. After a hot drink and some biscuits, we will start the challenge for the summit. Our initial 6-hour climb begins in the dark with only our headlamps and guides to show us the way through the thick scree and winding pathways of Ratzel and Rebmann Glaciers until we reach Stella Point. Many say this is the most challenging part of the entire climb but you will be rewarded with what is perhaps the most emotional and beautiful sunrise accompanied by a cup of tea, this “moment”  you have to see nor ever will see in your life.

After taking a short rest we will continue the last part of 1 hour more along the Crater rim passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area, to reach your ultimate goal-the summit –the highest peak of Africa –Uhuru Peak at 5,895m. Congratulations! You are now standing on the “Roof of Africa”. Our guides will take pictures of you at the world-famous Uhuru sign, as much as they can. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life, it is important to start our descent after a few minutes.

We will descend through sliding scree and winding pathways for about 3 hours back to Barafu camp. On reaching Barafu Camp the rest of our team will congratulate you and welcome you with a hot lunch. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka camp (3100m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scream path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Trekking poles are very useful in this part of the descent. In the camp, you will have a last fantastic view of the summit–finding it hard to believe that only a few hours ago you were standing at the top. And after this long day, you can enjoy your dinner and your last night on the mountain.

Day 6: Mweka camp to Mweka Gate(3-4 hours walking)