Destination

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Duration
8 Days 7 Nights
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Tour Type
Mount Kilimanjaro
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Group Size
2-12 Person
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Tour Guide
professional Guide
Hiking Adventures

8 Days, Kilimanjaro Machame Route

The Machame route, also known as “the Whiskey Route,” is the second most popular among climbers. This route provides a diverse range of views, landscapes, and experiences. The route’s starting point, Machame Gate, is only a 20- 40 minute drive from the Hotel. Machame Gate, located on Mt Kilimanjaro’s southern slope, will lead you to the summit along an exciting footpath that begins in the tropical forest, continues through all climate zones, and ends in the Arctic desert in the summit area.Camps along the trek are strategically placed for a smooth and gradual acclimatization transition. On the third day, the Machame Route meets the Lemosho and Umbwe routes at Barranco camp. A six-day or seven-day climb is available. The latter is highly recommended for a smoother transition.

 

Destination Kilimanjaro
Depature Yes Required
Departure Time Depend on arrival date
Return Time Depend on arrival date
Included
  • Professional, English-speaking guide/other language guide on request
  • Mountain crew (cook & porters)
  • Mountain tents.
  • Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, chairs, tables, etc.)
  • Private mountain Chemical toilet
  • Mountain Camp Shower Available. Warm water Shower on request and extra cost.)
  • Meals according to the itinerary
  • Drinking water
  • All national park fees
  • All mentioned transfers
  • Pre and post-night stays in Moshi hotels
  • 24/7 phone support including consultations with our doctor when needed
Excluded
  • Sleeping bag
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • Flights
  • Laundry services.
  • Alcohol
  • Visa fees
  • Tip recommended for the mountain crew > $250
  • Personal spending money for souvenirs, etc.
  • Travel insurance

Details

This 7-day adventure begins with your warm arrival in Tanzania and a relaxing evening at your hotel before the climb. From Moshi, your journey ascends through lush rainforests, rolling moorlands, and rocky ridges as you make your way toward the majestic summit of Kilimanjaro. Each day offers new scenery and challenges, from camping beneath the stars to conquering steep climbs and breathtaking viewpoints. The highlight of the trek is reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895m) at sunrise the roof of Africa. After celebrating your achievement, descend through the forest and return to Moshi for a well-earned rest and farewell before your departure.

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will be welcomed by a Nirvana Africa Safaris representative and transferred to the hotel included in the rate. The hotel will provide all of the necessities for a pleasant stay, including cozy rooms, hot water, courteous staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening, our managers will brief you and ensure that you are ready to begin the climb. Please keep in mind that check-in begins at 12:00 HRS.
Your day begins with a briefing, then breakfast and a 45-minute drive from Moshi (910m) to the Machame Park Gate. You begin your ascent and enter the rain forest after registering at the gate office. You will be given a lunch pack at the gate and will be able to drink bottled water purchased from the Supermarket in Moshi. Rain is possible in the forest, which will turn the trail into a very soggy, muddy, and slippery experience.In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at Machame camp.
After breakfast, you leave Machame camp and climb for an hour or so to the top of the forest, followed by a 2 hour gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a brief break for lunch, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now, you will be able to see the Western Breach and its stunning glaciers to the east. You are now due west of Kibo and will reach the Shira camp at 3,840m after a short hike. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
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 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree 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 descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp.
Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise 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, ski 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. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at aroun 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep for not more than 5-hours.
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. 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. The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.
After Breakfast, From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy and long hour walk. In the Mweka village drive to Aishi   Hotel and you will be served a delicious hot lunch and a long overdue hot shower. Overnight Weruweru River Lodge or Maridadi Hotel. It is recommended and tips are highly appreciated at the end of their trip. Tips can be given to the guide at the Hotel. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.
After an early breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight back home.

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Base Price $1,570.00