Machame – Africa Magic Holidays

MACHAME ROUTE

Here are presented the standard Mt. Kilimanjaro Machame-Mweka Treks, which follow the same route but differ in the number of days.

Machame Route is well known as ‘the Whiskey Route’. It is very popular and scenic; passing through Kilimanjaro’s complete range of landscape and vegetation types.

Walking on this route is relatively strenuous and it usually takes six days (five nights) to reach the peak. An extra day spent on the accent will help with acclimatization. Although the hiking distances are longer than on any other route and involve a larger total climbing time, due to several valley crossings, this six-day route holds the highest success rate to the summit. Mweka Route is used for descent and is known as the fastest route for coming down the mountain.

Note:
Accommodation is in tents. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is a serious attempt and proper acclimatization is important. An extra day for acclimatization in Karanga camp will increase your chances of summiting the mountain.

ITINERARY:

DAY 1: Arusha – Machame Gate – Machame Camp (10km, 5-7 hour walk, 1200m/3937ft ascent)

After early breakfast, transfer from your hotel to the Machame Gate where, after the registration you will start with your trek. The trail is winding and leads through dense montane forest passing a ‘Halfway Clearing’ all the way to the Machame Camp. Picnic lunch is on the way; camping and overnight at Machame Camp.
DAY 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp (6km, 5-7 hour walk, 840m/2756ft ascent)

After breakfast, continue ascending through rocky ridges to reach Shira Camp, where superb views of the Shira Plateau as well as Mt. Meru can be seen. Picnic lunch is on the way; camping and overnight at Shira Camp.
DAY 3: Shira Camp – Lawa Tower – Barranco Camp (10km, 6-7 hour walk, 110m/361ft ascent)

After breakfast at Shira Camp, continue trekking on the path which gradually rises towards ‘Kibo Dome’. You will pass a junction leading to the Arrow Glacier, then reach Barranco Valley and Barranco Campsite for overnight. Picnic lunch is on route.
DAY 4: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp (4km, 4-6 hour walk, 150m/492ft ascent)

After breakfast depart Barranco and continue trekking on a steep ridge passing Barranco Wall and the Karanga Valley reaching Karanga Camp for lunch.
OPTION: This day can be used for acclimatisation with another acclimatization climb in the afternoon or just relaxation in the camp.
DAY 4/5: Karanga Camp – Barafu Hut (4km, 4-6 hour walk, 450m/1476ft ascent)

If acclimatisation day is not used with overnight at Karanga Camp (see previous day), then day 4 is continuing after lunch with a trek to Barafu Hut for overnight, reaching in the afternoon hours.
If acclimatisation day is used previous day at Karanga Camp, trek to Barafu starts after breakfast reaching the camp in early afternoon hours with afternoon rest before the night final summit ascent. The peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this point.
DAY 5/6: Barafu Hut– Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp (17km, 10-15 hour walk, 1300m/4265ft ascent, 2800m/9186ft descent)

Start trekking shortly after midnight, passing the Stella Point (5.745m/18.848ft) to conquer the Uhuru Peak, the highest point of Africa (5.895m/19.340ft). From the summit descend to Mweka Campsite to overnight. Picnic lunch is en route.
DAY 6/7: Mweka Camp– Mweka Gate – Arusha (9km, 3-4 hour walk, 1600m/5249ft descent)

The day is spent descending to the Mweka Gate where you will be met and transferred back to your overnight hotel in Arusha. Do not forget to keep your certificate for successfully reaching the summit.

End of tour.