6 Days Mt. Kilimanjaro MACHAME route climb

Description

MACHAME Route Overview

Machame route, also known as the Whisky route, has become very popular. This is camping route which offers spectacular views of various landscapes such as Mt Meru, Pare Mountains, Lake Chala and Lake Jipe. While the 6 day itinerary is very possible, it is of benefit to have the seven days machame climb because of having one more extra day for acclimatization and resting before the summit day. Doing this will maximize your chance of reaching the top.

Day 1: From Hotel /Machame Gate /Machame Campsite.

Elevation: 1200m to 1700m to 3000m.

Distance: 13 km.

Hiking time: 5-7 hours.

Habitat: Montane forest.

After breakfast our vehicle will transport you from the hotel drive to Machame gate. Here you will do the required registration procedures then you will start the trek through the rainforest to Machame camp where you will find the tents are already setup for you. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.

Day 2: Machame Hut Campsite to Shira Campsite

Elevation: 3000m to 3800m

Distance: 9km

Hiking time: 6-7 hours

Habitat: Moorland.

After breakfast leave the glades of rainforest and continue ascending by crossing little valleys and steep rocky ridge covering with heather plants to the western side of the mountain where the camp is situated. At this camp you will able get the spectacular view of Mount Meru, Shira Plateau, Kibo Peak and sunset; then dinner and overnigh.

Day 3: Shira campsite to Barranco campsite

Elevation: 3800m to 3950m.

Distance: 13km

Hiking time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Moorland.

This is long and important acclimatization day so you will be having an early breakfast then continue trekking east to a junction leading to Lava tower rock 4600m for acclimatization. Afterwards you will continue down to Barranco camp. The camp location is in the bottom valley of Barranco wall where you will stop for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Barranco campsite to Barafu campsite

Elevation: 3950m to 3900m

Distance: 6 km

Hiking time: 4-5 hours.

Habitat: Moorland

Today is long day walk. In the morning you will start climbing Barranco wall and reach 4200m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga campsite for hot lunch. After lunch you will proceed to Barafu campsite for dinner and overnight before the midnight ascent to the summit..

Day 5: Barafu Camp/ Uhuru Peak/ Mweka Camp

Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3100m

Distance: 15km

Hiking time: 10 – 12 hours

Habitat: Desert and ice.

Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. The trails is a series of switchbacks up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 5 AM. At this point you will be having the views of the fabled crater and its glaciers facing you. Then after 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here you will spend some times for taking photo’s but it will depend on how you feel. After your summit activities done, you will descend back to the Barafu campsite, for lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka campsite. Dinner and overnight at Mweka campsite.

Day 6: Mweka campsite to Mweka gate.

Elevation: 3100m to 1700m

Distance: 9km

Descending time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Montane forest.

Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. Here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well deserved celebration.

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