Machame Route 11 days hike
Trekking Features
Trip Overview
Discovering the Machame Route: The Classic Kilimanjaro Trail
The Machame Route is renowned as one of the most popular trails for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, attracting trekkers from all over the globe. Often referred to as the “whiskey route,” it distinguishes itself from the more straightforward “Coca-Cola route” by offering a more challenging and scenic trekking experience. The nickname stems from the perception that the Machame Route is preferred by those seeking a bit more adventure, akin to choosing whiskey over a more simple drink. This allure is bolstered by the route’s breathtaking landscapes, varying ecosystems, and the rewarding views it offers throughout the ascent.
The Machame Route spans approximately six to seven days, allowing trekkers to acclimatize gradually while enjoying the diverse environments that range from lush rainforests to alpine deserts. This gradual ascent not only increases the chances of reaching the summit but also enhances the overall trekking experience, providing ample opportunities for observation of Kilimanjaro’s flora and fauna. Highlights along the route include the stunning dawn at Barafu Camp and the iconic Uhuru Peak, which is the ultimate goal for many mountaineers.
Tanzania Wildcats Safaris, a reputable tour company, plays a significant role in facilitating annual expeditions on the Machame Route. With a commitment to safety and high-quality service, Altezza Travel’s experienced guides offer trekkers the necessary support, ensuring that climbers feel secure and well-informed throughout their journey. The company focuses on various aspects of the climbing experience, from the quality of equipment provided to the selection of meals, all designed to prepare climbers physically and mentally for the trek ahead. By choosing the Machame Route with a trusted organizer like Altezza Travel, trekkers can expect not just an adventure, but a memorable and rewarding journey up Africa’s highest peak.
What the price Include
- Your hotel stay for the nights before and after the climb
- Airport transfers
- National Park entry, camping, climbing and rescue fees
- A fully supported climb (average ratio of support staff to climber is 4:1 in open groups)
- All meals and drinking water on the mountain
- A private portable toilet – no long drops for you!
- High quality mess and sleeping tents with a comfortable foam mattress
- Access to emergency oxygen and first aid kit
- Full board accommodation at safari lodge
- 4WD safari vehicle and English speaking driver guide
What the price Exclude Exclude
- Airfares and visas
- Tips for your guides, crew and safari guide
- Travel insurance (you must be insured for trekking up to 6000m)
- Your personal trekking gear
- Your personal medicines or prescriptions
- Snacks on the mountain
- Meals and drinks at hotel in Moshi
- Drinks at safari lodges
Detailed Itinerary
All trekkers need to organise their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). From JRO we will arrange a private transfer to your hotel. That night or early the next morning you will meet your local Tanzania Willdcats Safaris representative and have a full pre-climb briefing.
- Transport: Private transfer
- Accomodation: Hotel
Transfer from your hotel to Machame Gate for registration. Our porters prepare and pack our supplies and luggage before we start our ascent along the forest trail to Machame Camp at 3000m. We will stay here overnight.
- Transport: Private transfer
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 1200 m
- Max. altitude: 3000 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
After breakfast we start walking, leaving the rainforest behind, and continue our ascent, crossing a small valley and up to a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather. Our route now turns west into a river gorge until we reach Shira Cave Camp. It will be colder tonight than the previous night with temperatures possibly falling below freezing.
- Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
- Ascent: 850 m
- Max. altitude: 3850 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today we will climb up to 4600m to the base of the Lava Tower for lunch and acclimatisation. This will be our toughest day so far and you may, for the first time, feel the altitude. After lunch we will descend again by almost 650m to Barranco Camp, following the ‘walk high, sleep low’ golden rue of acclimatisation. Our descent to Barranco Camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall.
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 750 m
- Descent: 650 m
- Max. altitude: 4600 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
A short, but fun, day starting with a scramble to the top of the Great Barranco Wall. We then traverse over scree to the Karanga Valley (3930m) beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. We will stay overnight at Karanga campsite.
- Hiking time: 4 hours
- Ascent: 260 m
- Descent: 280 m
- Max. altitude: 4210 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
We leave Karanga campsite behind to meet the junction connecting with the Mweka descent trail. From here we continue up to Barafu Camp. Here we can rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The camp offers amazing views of the summit and the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo.
- Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
- Ascent: 465 m
- Max. altitude: 4675 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
You will be woken around 23:30 with tea and biscuits. We start our trek to the summit between the Rebman and Ratzel glaciers through heavy scree up to Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. At Stella Point (5732m), we will stop for a short rest and hopefully be in time to witness the magnificent sunrise (weather permitting). We are now only an hour away from the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From the summit, we descend down to Mweka camp site, via Barafu Camp for lunch. Trekking poles will be needed for the loose scree going down to Mweka Camp (3100m). Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
- Hiking time: 14 - 16 hours
- Ascent: 1220 m
- Descent: 2795 m
- Max. altitude: 5895 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Your final day on the trek, departing after breakfast we descend a further 1300m to the Mweka Park Gate to pick up your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. Transfer to your hotel.
- Transport: Private transfer
- Hiking time: 3 - 4 hours
- Descent: 1300 m
- Max. altitude: 3100 m
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast
Our safari guide and vehicle will collect you from your hotel and we will drive to Lake Manyara, arriving with plenty of time for an afternoon game-drive. Located beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, on the edge of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its large alkaline soda lake which is home to the pink flamingo, yellow-billed stork and heron. If you are lucky you may get chance to see the tree climbing lions, which are unique to this national park. Watch out though for some fun and antics from the local baboon population; Lake Manyara is believed to have the largest number of these primates in the World! We will spend the night at a safari lodge in Karatu.
- Accomodation: Safari Lodge
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
After an early breakfast, we will drive to the fascinating wildlife arena of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a “must see” safari destination. Home to more than 25,000 large mammals, it is not unusual to see all of the ‘Big Five’ (buffalo, elephant, rhino, lion and leopard) in a single day. The crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is over 260km2 (100 miles2) and was formed when a massive volcano exploded and collapsed on itself two - three million years ago. It is now the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world and often referred to as “Africa’s Eden”. Driving through the Ngorongoro Highlands, we will arrive at the crater rim and then descend down 610m (2000 feet) onto its floor to start our safari extravaganza. After our game drive we will return to our safari lodge.
- Accomodation: Safari Lodge
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
The Tarangire River runs through the park attracting a huge number of elephants, buffalo, giraffe and antelope, particularly in the dry season between June to October. It is not uncommon to see large herds of elephants roaming through Tarangire's savannah grasses or taking shade under the odd looking "upside down trees" (baobab) that are dotted around the park. The park is also a must for avid birdwatchers, boasting over 550 different bird species, the most diverse in Africa, including the Kori Bustard, the heaviest flying bird in the World!
Late afternoon we will start our journey back to Arusha for onward transfer to Kilimanjaro airport. We expect to be back in Arusha by 5pm, so you will need to book a flight that departs after 9pm. Otherwise, we can arrange an additional night at a hotel in Arusha for you.
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
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