7 Days Machame Route to Climb Kilimanjaro

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

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

Day 2: Arusha to Machame Camp

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.

Day 3: Shira 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.

Day 4: Karanga 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.

Day 5: Barafu Camp

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

Day 6: Summit Ascent, Mweka 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.

Day 7: Mweka Gate - Arusha

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.

Tour Includes & Excludes

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Zoe K

2022-10-31

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 🙏

Henry S

2022-10-31

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.

Nicola D

2022-10-24

Excellent experience I just got back from climbing My Kilimanjaro on a trip organised by Charity Challenge in the UK. All the ground arrangements in Tanzania were done through Tanzania Travel Company and I would highly recommend. Staff were all excellent, knowledgeable and friendly. It was a great trip and I’m considering organising a holiday for the family with TTC in the future.

MbaleSaint

2022-08-26

Great company with excellent staff Climbed Kilimanjaro with the Tanzanian Travel Company at the end if July and the whole experience was superb. The guides, porters, cook, doctor & toilet man were unfailingly encouraging, helpful, cheerful and really seemed to enjoy their work. I would thoroughly recommend them.

PDatlen

2022-08-09

An adventure you won't forget! The whole experience from start to finish was awesome and I most certainly won't forget it. From the hotel to the staff and porters who made our trek possible, the food was tasty and plentiful, we all felt like part of the team and very well looked after.I definitely recommend doing the Lemosho Route for a greater chance of acclimatisation. The summit night was by far the hardest part but well worth the effort (even I got emotional). I would urge everybody looking to climb Kilimanjaro to definitely train for a good 4-5 months before attempting this challenge, it will only enhance the mammoth achievement.

Rod

2022-08-04

Fantastic time climbing Kilimanjaro thanks to TTC! I recently completed a climb of Kilimanjaro with a small group of 7, managed on behalf of Charity Challenge by Tanzania Travel Company. We had a fantastic (if gruelling) experience, and I cannot praise TTC highly enough. From the MD Sam and our chief guide Richard, through to every guide and porter who accompanied us (not forgetting Pius, our doctor), everyone combined the highest standards of professionalism with warmth and friendliness, and a genuine concern for both our well-being and our success in getting to the summit. Highly recommended.

Billy B

2022-07-19

Amazing family experience Excellent safari! Incredibly friendly and accommodating! I was having some difficulty finding a well priced thorough safari and was given a number by a family friend who highly recommended this safari company. As Tanzanians it’s rare for us to be able to see a safari but Samuel helped guide us through a plan for a truly unforgettable experience. We hide an amazingly well educated guide and driver Kamau who went out of his way to get us some truly amazing shots. At one point we were literally 2-3 meters away from 3 young male lions, I was in shock at what Kamau could point out. Food provided was excellent Tanzanian cuisine. My little brothers(8 yr)first safari and he had a fantastic time Highly recommend as a Tanzanian.

Suzie D

2022-07-15

Professional, organised, outstanding Tanzania travel company are a great company, incredibly professional and organised a comprehensive and well planned trip to Kilimanjaro. The communication and attention to detail were outstanding and I would highly recommend this company to any group heading to Tanzania. Suzie, International Mountain Leader (BAIML), Women with Altitude co-ordinator.

lisaappelbaum

2022-03-18

Excellent experience with TTC! Setting out to climb Mt Kilimanjaro was quite a challenge and the team at TTC made it a safe and enjoyable trip! They did an excellent job guiding us through each day of the climb. I also had the opportunity to go on a safari afterwards with a guide named Livingston and he did an absolutely fantastic job getting us close to the animals and knowing the best spots in the game drives. Highly recommend this incredible travel group!

7 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route

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