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This tour also referred to as the whiskey route, is rightly regarded as the most beautiful on Kilimanjaro. It is particularly varied in landscape and offers great views of Mount Meru and the Kibo. Next to the Marangu route, it is the most popular route on the mountain. The varied height profile allows for good acclimatization, the number of summit successes is therefore high. However, the route is steeper and at the Barranco Wall, a simple climbing passage has to be overcome.
The route requires you to be in good condition and is less suitable for inexperienced mountain walkers than the Marangu route. Accommodation is at camping sites in tents. The descent is via the Mweka route.
The Machame route is recommended by us as a 7-day tour. This includes an additional acclimatization day, which significantly increases the success to reach the summit. For experienced and very fit mountain hikers, the 6-day tour is also suitable. The fourth day of the shortened tour walks directly from the Barranco Camp to the Barafu Camp, as the intermediate stage over the Karanga Camp is omitted.
This tour also referred to as the whiskey route, is rightly regarded as the most beautiful on Kilimanjaro. It is particularly varied in landscape and offers great views of Mount Meru and the Kibo. Next to the Marangu route, it is the most popular route on the mountain. The varied height profile allows for good acclimatization, the number of summit successes is therefore high. However, the route is steeper and at the Barranco Wall, a simple climbing passage has to be overcome.
The route requires you to be in good condition and is less suitable for inexperienced mountain walkers than the Marangu route. Accommodation is at camping sites in tents. The descent is via the Mweka route.
The Machame route is recommended by us as a 7-day tour. This includes an additional acclimatization day, which significantly increases the success to reach the summit. For experienced and very fit mountain hikers, the 6-day tour is also suitable. The fourth day of the shortened tour walks directly from the Barranco Camp to the Barafu Camp, as the intermediate stage over the Karanga Camp is omitted.
Itineraries
Day 1
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
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.Distance: 11 km Hiking
Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 2
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast and a briefing from your guide, drive from Moshi or Arusha to Londorossi Park Gate (2250m, 1.5 hours). From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2000m, 11Km. 45minutes) and a possible campsite. Walk along beautiful forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite, (2750m, 3hours).Distance: 11 km Hiking
Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 3
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Today’s route turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower. Lunch will be served in a designated area before ascending the rocky path to Lava Tower. After lunch you descent again to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, you will feel actual benefit of acclimatization. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall.Distance: 10 km Hiking
Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Semi-Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu camp
A steep climb up the eastern wall leads us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo, the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, finally we have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp.Distance: 5 km Hiking
Time: 4 - 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, 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.Distance: 4 km Hiking
Time: 4 - 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 6
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
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 Mweka 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.Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 7
Mweka Camp to Moshi/Arusha
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.Distance: 10 km Hiking
Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
- Two nights accommodation before and after the climb
- First night includes breakfast
- Last night includes dinner & breakfast
- Qualified guides with mountain crew
- National park fees
- Hut/camping fees and tents
- Tents foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and (Cutlery / Crockery) eating utensils.
- Rescue fees (required by the National Park)
- Pulse oximeters
- First aid kit
- Guides, porters, cook, waiter salaries
- Boiled water on the mountain
- Airport transfers (JRO – Kilimanjaro International Airports)
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation and entry fees on the mountain
- Single rooms supplement at Springlands Hotel.
- Guides, Porters, Cook & Waiters tips
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Mountain equipment (eg sleeping bags)
- Gear for your climb, Some equipment is available for rent!
- Car Supplement USD$145 per car for clients who go through Lemosho Routes
- Items of personal nature (expenses)
- Emergency Oxygen
- Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included
- Extra activities (waterfall tour, cultural village visit).
- Visa fees & travel insurance.
- Flight tickets.
The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the dry season, i.e., from June to early November and from December to end of March. However with changing weather patterns, the chances of getting a clear sky during your climb in November and April is rare.
Yes we do have a kit list of all the items you will require for your climb. You can rent sleeping bags, parkas, gaiters, trekking poles, etc. Just e-mail us your list of needs, and we will reserve these items for provide you upon your arrival.
Anybody who are able to run for at least half an hour without feeling shortness of breath. You should also be able to walk for at least 2 hours in hilly terrains without feeling overly exhausted. No one with a sore throat, cold of breathing problems should go beyond 3000m. However, anybody with heart or lung problems should consult his/her physician before attempting to climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
No, you are not required to bring filtering systems or purification tablets, our climbing staff will provide you with plenty of purified drinking water during your trek.
The climb to Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb. No mountaineering equipment is require to summit Kilimanjaro. Anyone in good physical condition can reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Yes. The price also contains the salary of a porter, who is assigned to carry the oxygen tanks during your summit attempt.
Our mountain crews are in constant radio communication with us via ICOM radios so if anything goes wrong on your trekking we are informed. Also, the cell reception on the mountain has improved so we can effectively communicate with our teams using mobile phones.
The symptoms of altitude sickness can appear while climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, in all climbers irrespective of their age and/or fitness level. Due to which, most climbers choose to use Diamox (Acetazolamide), a medication that diminishes headache, tiredness, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath which occur when climbing to high altitudes. Side effects include a tingling sensation in fingertips and on the face, and frequent urination.