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Climbing Mountain
Unleash your inner adventurer
Next to Marangu, Machame, popularly known as "the Whiskey Route", is the second most sought-after way of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro. This path gives access to an array of views, scenery and experiences.
So, if you enter Machame Gate from the southern slope of Mt Kilimanjaro, you will walk the wonderful path which starts from tropical forest and follows through all the climate zones, culminating in the arctic desert before reaching the summit area.
To help you plan your 7-days climbing Machame Route itinerary, we have put together a list of what's included and what's not included in your tour package. This will give you a clear understanding of what to expect and help you make any necessary arrangements before your journey begins.
As the oldest person to ever climb Kilimanjaro, Angela Vorobieva, at 86 years old, achieved a Guinness World Record by using the Lemosho route to the summit.
The camps along the trek are favorably located for an easy and gradual transition of acclimatization. On the 3rd day Machame Route converges with Lemosho and Umbwe at Barranco camp. Arrive in Tanzania Meal: Breakfast and dinner included Pick up from Kilimanjaro international airport and transfer to your hotel. Later, leave with your seasoned guide for a trek briefing and equipment check to ensure you have everything required for the mountains. Then spend the night at your hotel.
DAY 1 -Machame Gate (1800m) to Machame Camp (2835m)Distance covered: 11 km
Approximate time taken: 7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Camping
You shall be collected from the hotel at about 8 a.m. after breakfast, and taken to Machame gate. On the way there, you will see the coffee and banana plantations grown by Chagga people. When you get to Machame gate, you will register and do some of the other park formalities before you start climbing Mount Kilimanjaro at the Machame gate. Your first day’s hike is through a tropical rain forest, to Machame camp (2835 m). On the way, you shall take a picnic lunch. Camp overnight at Machame.
DAY 2 -Machame Camp (2835m) to Shira Cave Camp (3750m)Distance covered: 5 km
Approximate time taken: 3 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Camping
Around 8:00 am buckling to hiking. One should climb for about one hour till getting to the top of the forest and then 1 hour on a gentler gradient through moorland zone. A short lunch (a snack) and a brief rest, before proceeding up a rocky ridge, Shira plateau. At this point, one can see an eastern direction, the stunning glacier of western breach. Overnight at Shira Campsite (3750m).
DAY 3 -Shira Cave Camp (3750m) to Barranco camp (3900m)Distance covered: 10 km
Approximate time taken: 6 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Okay, to acclimatize, we will hike high and descend to lower altitude. This trek will take us into the alpine desert to lava tower (4600 m), from where we will descend to Baranco Camp (3900 m). The descent to Barranco Camp takes about 3 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful pictures of the Western Breach and Barranco wall. This campsite is situated in a valley below the Barranco wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while waiting for dinner. Overnight at Barranco Camp (3900 m).
DAY 4 - Barranco Camp (3900m) to Karanga Camp (4000m)Distance covered: 6 km
Approximate time taken: 4 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Camping
In this day, after breakfast, you will be leaving the campsite to walk up the Barranco wall (4200m) where it ends in the fort of the Hein glacier. Get to Karanga Camp (4000m) after 4 hours of trek.
DAY 5 - Karanga Camp (4000m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)Distance covered: 4 km
Approximate time taken: 3 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Camping
You will shortly set off for Barafu Camp (4640 m), after breakfast, along a route with scenic views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Upon reaching the campsite, we will have lunch and a long break preparing for the prolonged night and day ahead. Dinner will be early and we will try to sleep early as we will be up about midnight preparing to go climbing to the summit.
DAY 6 - Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) then down to Mweka Camp (3100m)Distance covered: 20 km
Approximate time taken: 14 hours
Habitat: Glacier/Moorland/Rainforest
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Camping
You will be awake by 00:00 because some light tea with cookies will be ready for you. Now we start our scree climb for 4 to 5 hours, gaining incredible height over a very short distance. Spectacular views. Reach the crater rim at Stella point (5756 m) when the first light rays of the sun hit us. One hour form Stella point will take us to Uhuru peak (5895 m) where you take some pictures for a few minutes before we begin descending to Barafu Camp for lunch and some rest, then walk to Mweka Camp (3100 m) for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7 -Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)Distance covered: 10 km
Approximate time taken: 3 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meal: Breakfast, and lunch included
Accommodation: Camping
Hike through the three-hour Mweka montane forest until you get to Mweka Gate, where you fulfill the necessary park formalities and pick up your certificates. You can hang them up with pride. The vehicle will be ready to take you back to your warm shower at Moshi. It’s time to celebrate.
Each image tells a unique story, inviting us into a world of emotion, beauty, and complexity. Get ready to be moved, inspired, and challenged as we journey through this captivating collection of images.