6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame route

DAY 1: MOSHI – MACHAME GATE – MACHAME CAMP

( 6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame route the whisky route )

After breakfast you will be picked up at the lodge and taken to the Kilima njaro entrance gate. While your guide is busy with the registration forms, you can be preparing yourself for the climb and once this is all done, your Kilimanjaro adventure will begin. In no time you will be deep within the magnificent mountain rainforest with ancient trees, primeval ferns, liana, lichen and moss that carpets the ground and drapes from the trees. You will hear and with a little luck, even spot the beautiful black and white colobus monkeys in the treetops. After 5 to 6 hours, you will reach Machame Camp which is situated just above the tree line. Here, at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro, you will have your first dinner followed by an overnight stay in tents

• Elevation (ft):5,400 - 9,400ft

• Altitude (m):1,790m - 3010m

• Distance covered: 11km

• Time to be used: 5-7 hours

• Habitat: Rain Forest

• Meals: Lunch and Dinner

• Accommodation: Machame camp

DAY 2: MACHAME CAMP – SHIRA 2 CAMP

( 6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame route the whisky route )

After an early morning start, the path steepens. The landscape changes into heath and moorland and the open landscape allows you to see the impressive mountain range. Today’s stage is shorter than the previous day and you will arrive at the New Shira Camp by mid-afternoon. The camp has a breath-taking view of the mountain and during sunset, the evening sun lights the rock face and glacier of Kibo.

• Altitude: 3,010 m to 3,845m

• Distance Covered: 5km

• Time to be used: 4 - 6 hours

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Habitant: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone

• Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp

DAY 3: SHIRA 2 CAMP – LAVA TOWER - BARRANCO CAMP

( 6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame route the whisky route )

Today you will climb about 800 m but you will be camping at an elevation only slightly higher than the previous night. This will allow your body to acclimatize as a height of over 4,500 m will be reached over the next two days.

The trek begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower. From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft.

The vegetation becomes sparser as the landscape changes to an afro-alpine desert. The route passes through the sweeping Barranco Valley with its lobelia and giant senecio plants. After 6 to 7 hours, you will arrive at the most beautiful camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp.

• Altitude: 3,845 m to 3,845m to 3,960m

• Distance Covered: 10 km

• Time to be used: 6-8 hours.

• Habitat: Semi Desert

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Accommodation: Barranco camp

DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP - BARAFU CAMP

( 6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame route the whisky route )

Today’s stretch starts with the climb of the Barranco Wall. We leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. Safety is paramount and your guides will assist you wherever necessary. Following the ridge as it traverses up and down, you can enjoy the splendid views of the south glacier of Kibo. In the Karanga Valley you will have lunch, followed by a 2 to 3 hours climb to Barafu Camp.

At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position. Once at the camp, you can relax, have dinner and call it an early night.

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

• Altitude: 3,960 m to 4,640 m

• Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

• Time to be used: 4- 5 hrs

• Distance Covered: 5km

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Barafu camp

DAY 5: BARAFU CAMP – UHURU PEAK – HOROMBO HUT

( 6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame route the whisky route )

After a cup of hot tea and a light snack, the climb begins at around midnight. We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), 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 may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.

. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep at Horombo Hut.

•Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

•Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

•Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft

•Distance: 5 km/3 miles

•Habitat: Arctic | Alpine desert

•Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 6: HOROMBO HUT - MANDARAHUT - MARANGU GATE - BACK TO MOSHI

( 6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame route the whisky route )

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!

• Altitude: 3,700 m to 1,700 m

• Distance Covered: 18km km down

• Time to be used: 5 - 7 hrs.

• Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

• Accommodate at Moshi White house hotel