7 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route

TRIP OVERVIEW

Kilimanjaro mountain Climb 7 days Machame trail, also popularly known as the “Whiskey” route, is now the mountain’s most celebrated route. If you want to compare this route with other routes like the Marangu trail, you will discover the days on the Machame are longer and the walks are steeper. Machame Trail is believed to be a difficult route, the best choice for trekkers with some hiking experience more adventurous. Machame route climb can be completed in six days, although seven days is recommended. Want to challenge yourself? Machame route on Kilimanjaro Mountain is the best choice you can make. Welcome to Tanzania

7days-machameroute
Day 1: Arrival - Kilimanjaro Airport

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you are met after passing through customs. Transfer to the Hotel and have a comprehensive briefing and equipment check with your climbing manager and your guide. Overnight at the hotel

Altitude gain: 5,380 to 9,350’; Hiking time: 5-7 hours, 7 miles

Drive from Arusha to Mt Kilimanjaro National Park, passing by the village of Machame to meet your climb crew at the Machame Gate. As you begin the gentle ascent, the trail winds though the verdant afromontane rainforest that beards Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes. Moss and tattered lichen dangles from tall branches, tree ferns rest in soft cradles, and begonias, busy lizzie impatiens, and violas bloom year-round in multiple colors on the forest floor. Many species of birds – as well as colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and other creatures of the forest – can be seen and heard. The first camp is set amongst giant heather at Machame Camp.

9,350 ft to 12,500 ft, 3 miles, approx. 4-6 hours

Leaving the glades of the rainforest behind, you continue on an ascending path along a steep ridge onto heather-clad moorland. This is known as the heath zone and, as the vegetation becomes more sparse, attractive helichrysum and lobelia are the only plants dominating the harsh mountain landscape. Various geological features can be observed, ranging from lava tubes to glacial valleys. A picnic lunch is taken on trail today. Continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira Plateau. By now you can see the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers, and after a short hike you reach the Shira Camp. Your tent tonight can definitely be described as “a room with a view” looking out towards the snow-dusted Kibo peaks. Overnight Shira Camp.

13,044 ft to 13,123 ft, 3 miles, 4-5 hours

You now have a relatively short day to reach Karanga Camp, after conquering the intimidating Barranco Wall. Be prepared to use all four limbs as you traverse the wall to the top of the Karanga Valley. From here, follow a path that sojourns through many inclines and declines to Karanga Camp, arriving in the late afternoon. Our selection of Karanga Camp is strategic – significant time at altitude is essential for safe acclimatization. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering over 3000 feet above you. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

3,044 ft to 13,123 ft, 3 miles, 4-5 hours

You now have a relatively short day to reach Karanga Camp, after conquering the intimidating Barranco Wall. Be prepared to use all four limbs as you traverse the wall to the top of the Karanga Valley. From here, follow a path that sojourns through many inclines and declines to Karanga Camp, arriving in the late afternoon. Our selection of Karanga Camp is strategic – significant time at altitude is essential for safe acclimatization. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering over 3000 feet above you. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

3,044 ft to 13,123 ft, 3 miles, 4-5 hours

15,288 ft to 19,341 ft to 12,467 ft, 3 miles ascent, 7 miles descent, 7-8 hours ascent, 4-6 hours descent

Depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit, and this is the coldest, windiest section of your adventure. Most likely by dawn, as the first rays of light start to appear across the Tanzanian landscape, you arrive near the rim at Stella Point, at an altitude of 18,652ft. Here, you are rewarded with the most glorious sunrise you are ever likely to see, appearing over Mawenzi Peak.

Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! Take as many pictures as you can! After a short celebration at the summit, begin the ebullient trek down. Go slowly and enjoy the wonderful rainforest scenery as you head towards Mweka Camp, arriving before dusk. With every step the air has more and more oxygen so although your legs will be jelly your heart will be light. Overnight Mweka Camp.

After an early breakfast and a sunrise game drive, you’ll depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Enjoy your lunch overlooking the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, known as the “Garden of Eden” due to its concentration of wildlife. In the afternoon, you’ll descend 600 meters into the crater for a game drive. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to almost every species of wildlife indigenous to East Africa, including the rare black rhino. As evening approaches, ascend and retire to your lodge on the crater’s rim.
After an early breakfast and a sunrise game drive, you’ll depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Enjoy your lunch overlooking the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, known as the “Garden of Eden” due to its concentration of wildlife. In the afternoon, you’ll descend 600 meters into the crater for a game drive. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to almost every species of wildlife indigenous to East Africa, including the rare black rhino. As evening approaches, ascend and retire to your lodge on the crater’s rim.

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2024-02-25
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2024-02-23
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2024-02-21
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2024-02-14
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Amazing Safari We had a wonderful experience working with Sam and our guides Hosea and Livingstone. Having been born and raised in Tanzania, Sam has deep knowledge of the culture and country. We saw the big 5 as well as dozens of other animals, all close-up. Was an unforgettable experience!
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2024-02-11
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Superb Safari Experience! Our large family just had an unforgettable Safari adventure thanks to Sam and his amazing staff. Our guides were knowledgeable and professional. The sites we saw over these 10 days were simply spectacular! We learned so much about plants, animals and Tanzanian culture. We were committed to choosing a local company and we are so glad that we chose Tanzanian Travel & Safari Company. Sam was with us every step of the way – during the months prior to our journey and all throughout our Safari adventure. He was invaluable in booking many of our accommodations. He truly cared about our experience. I strongly urge you to reach out to Sam when you are planning your own African adventure.
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2024-02-10
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An Amazing Safari Experience Our family of 9 had an amazing Safari experience thanks to Sam, Livingstone and Hosea. It is hard to say which destination was the best between Tarangire, Ngorogoro Crater and the Serengeti. The animals, the birds, the landscape, the weather and the lovely staff in each location made the experience one of a lifetime. Our guides were very knowledgeable, accomodating, flexible, and driven to meet our needs. They helped us to see the Big Five and so much more. I recommend this tour company.
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327nomad
2023-02-12
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Fabulous! TTC were instrumental in putting together a rather ambitious hiking/climbing/camping adventure for me . It involved climbing Mount Longido, wild camping there and hiking sections of the Maasai plains followed by climbing Mount Meru and camping on Mount Meru too! Due to logistics and the fact that Mount Longido had been unvisited since pre pandemic, meant it was truly raw, unspoiled and wild! A brilliant experience for myself of course but it wasn't without it's challenges for my amazing support team ( my mountain family! ). Mount Meru was another amazing experience. Having climbed Mount Kilimanjaro a number of years ago, personally I found Mount Meru more beautiful and definitely not a "cake walk"....it was a true challenge but very rewarding. Summit night was tough....! Camping on Mount Meru also contributed to the uniqueness of my adventure. Thank you Sam and my incredible mountain family for making my madcap trip a reality.....and such fun!
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2022-10-31
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Kilimanjaro Lemosho route TTC were amazing throughout my trek to the Kilimanjaro summit in October 2022. Everything was organised so well but the really exceptional aspect was the team of local support staff and guide. AJ, Paul, Isaya, Joseph, Pascal, Renata and the 30 other fantastic people that carried, cooked, camped and cared for us. Absolutely loved every second, a trip of a lifetime, thank you 🙏
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2022-10-31
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Once in a lifetime experience I climbed Kilimanjaro with the Tanzanian Travel Company (booked through Charity Challenge UK) in October 2022. Everything was superbly coordinated by TTC, who arranged everything from porters, transport, food, tents- pretty much everything we needed to get to the summit! All of the staff from the guides and porters were very friendly and their knowledge was unrivalled. Special mentions to our lead guide, Richard, who's advice was invaluable and the other guides and porters David, Eric and Joseph (there are too many to mention). Would definitely book again with TTC in the future.
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