Kilimanjaro-machame Route 7-day Trekking
Machame route is known as the “Whiskey Route", it begins at Machame Gate, located in the southern part of Mount Kilimanjaro, within its green, abundant rainforest. We climb to the Shira Plateau, then traverse the mountain beneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Icefield, before summiting from Barafu Huts. Machame 7 Days route is recommended especially for novice climbers because it provides an additional acclimatization day and shortens some of the daily hikes.
DAY 1: MACHAME GATE TO MACHAME HUT (FULL BOARD)
After completing the necessary registration formalities at Machame National Parkgate, we begin to trek through a beautiful and lush forest. We have a picnic lunch en route. We camp at Machame Camp (9,800 ft). [5-6 hours walking]
DAY 2: MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP (FULL BOARD)
We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily through rocky hills with wide views of the Shira Plateau (11,000 ft). From our camp near Shira Hut (12,600 ft), we take in the unforgettable views of Mt. Meru as she floats among the clouds. [4-5 hours walking]
DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP TO BARRANCO VALLEY (FULL BOARD)
A morning of sustained ascent and panoramic views brings us to lunch near Lava Tower (14,900 ft). The trail then descends to the bottom of the Barranco Valley (12,800 ft), where we stay in the spectacular Barranco Camp sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. [7-9 hours walking]
DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP (FULL BOARD)
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga Camp (13,100 ft), the last water point on the approach to the summit. [5-7 hours walking]
DAY 5: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP (FULL BOARD)
We follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach Barafu Hut (14,800 ft) for lunch. There is a short acclimatization hike to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley (15,700 ft). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the early morning final ascent. [3-5 hours walking]
DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA CAMP (FULL BOARD)
We start our ascent by torchlight about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (18,800 ft), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi.
DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE TO ARUSHA (HALF BOARD)
A sustained descent on a well-constructed path takes us through a lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Mweka (5,400 ft). Dinner and overnight at Arusha Green Mountain Hotel: Bed, dinner, and Breakfast-included.
