- Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro Routes
Conquer Your Dreams at Kilimanjaro’s Summit!
7 Days
Kilimanjaro Machame Route
Machame Gate,Machame Camp,Shira Camp, Lava Tower, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Uhuru Peak ,Horombo Hut & Mweka Camp.
Machame Route has a nick name “Whiskey Route”, and despite the fact that is relatively short, it is not easy to climb. It is not technically difficult, but it is pretty strenuous, with many steep trails that require extra strength and physical condition to pass.
But, Machame is very rewarding route, with spectacular sceneries such are Lava Tower, Barranco Wall, Shira Plateu which is why this route is considered the most scenic one. The route starts at Machame Gate, and thru the beautiful rainforest, heading West around Kibo. There are 6 and 7 day options to trek this route, but note that the shorter one does not include acclimatization day to get used to the high altitude conditions.
Machame is also the route where you spend the nights in tents, and requires a lot of strengths to complete. Descend is at Mweka gate.
Itinerary in Details
You will be driven from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, passing through the village of Machame, located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave park gate behind, our walk starts through the rain forest on a winding trail up the ridge. At some sections the trail can be muddy and slippery, so the gaiters and trekking poles are a good to bring. At the end of our today’s trek lies Machame Camp, where we stay for the night.
Lunch and Dinner
Mti Mkubwa
The second day continues through increasingly sparse trees and bushes into moorlands. The day finishes with Shira Camp, which is on a small plateau in the high moorlands, and features views of Kibo in the northeast and Mount Meru towards the west. White necked ravens can be seen throughout the day. There is also a set of small caves a short walk from the campsite known as the Shira Caves.
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Kikelewa Hut
A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of walks are available on the plateau making this an excellent acclimatization day. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on Earth.
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Mawenz Tarn
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east towards the peak of Kibo and passing that junction. Here our path goes east, towards the Lava Tower, also called the Shark’s Tooth. Shortly after passing the Lava Tower, we meet the second junction that brings us to the Arrow Glacier. From here we continue down to the Barranco Hut, where we will rest, have dinner and overnight.
Despite the fact that we did not changed elevation from the point where we started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the summit.
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Mawenz Tarn
After breakfast, we take short scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley, beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers.
After a short and well deserved break we leave Karanga and cross the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail, used for descend from the mountain later. From here we continue up to the Barafu Camp. Here we will rest, have dinner and prepare for the summit day. From Barafu you can enjoy the view of two volcanic cones Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, and that view is quite spectacular and you should not miss it.
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Kibo Camp
An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. The last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. At the rim we will reach Stella point, from where we have further hour to Uhuru Peak.
After a short stop for taking photos we descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on past Millenium camp down to Horombo Hut in the giant heather zone on the forest edge. Those with the strength left from the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the ice pinnacles of the Eastern Icefields. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
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Horombo Hut
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
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