Machame Route, also known as the Whisky Route, is one of the most scenic and therefore popular routes on the mountain. It offers adventurous climbers a stunning outlook. It can be done over a longer period and the incline is more manageable, therefore it has a much higher success rate of the summit.
Departing from Moshi, a 45-minute drive will take you through the village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles.
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep, rocky ridge. The route turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira Campsite. Here, the temperature begins to drop.
Although you end the day at around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau, we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward Kibo Peak. We continue southeast towards the Lava Tower, also called the “Shark’s Tooth” at an elevation of 4,650m (15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend for our overnight at Barranco Camp.
After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. Our overnight will be at Karanga Camp.
Today, we continue up toward Barafu Camp. Once reached, you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. We’ll have an early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight will be at Barafu Camp.
You will wake up at midnight, and after some tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point. This 6-hour walk to Stella Point is for many climbers, mentally and physically, the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5,685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 1-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 cherish this day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. You will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear before heading down to Mweka Camp (3,100m).
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and time bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. The weather is drastically warmer here and the terrain is wet, muddy, and steep, so we highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles.
A vehicle will wait at the gate and drive you back to your hotel for a quick stop in Moshi (about 30 minutes). We will transfer you to the airport for your travel back home. Enjoy a long overdue hot shower and celebrations!
END OF TOUR
Prices (quoted in USD/per person)
| No. of Pax | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $2,050 |
| 2-5 person | $1,850 |
| 6-9 person | $1,800 |
| 10+ person | $1,750 |
Moshi, Kilimanjaro
+255 782 866 398
+255 782 866 398
info@safariexperttanzania.com
Experienced & Trustworthy Local Tour Operator Based In Tanzania. Mt Kilimanjaro & Safari Experts. Many More Memorable Activities in Tanzania & Zanzibar.