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Luxury for Less
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Luxury for Less
Luxury for Less
Luxury for Less
Luxury for Less
Luxury for Less
The Machame route (a.k.a. “Whiskey Route”) is one of the most popular routes to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. This route can be achieved in either six or seven days, with seven days offering a better summit success rate. Machame is suitable for all levels of hiking experience, including beginners. This hike takes you through the many climatic zones of Kilimanjaro.
Duration: 6 nights/7 days (or 5 nights/6 days)
The itinerary below describes the 6-nights/7-days Kilimanjaro climb via the Machame route. To shorten the below itinerary to five-nights/six-days you would skip the night in the Karanga Valley and instead walk straight from the Barranco Huts to the Barafu Huts in one day.
Machame Trailhead → Machame Hut Camp
Day 1 begins at the Machame trailhead (5,380 ft.) and ends at the Machame Hut camp (9,350 ft.). The average hiking time is 5 to 7 hours with an approximate 4,000-foot elevation gain. The terrain is mossy rainforest.
Machame Trailhead → Machame Hut Camp
Day 1 begins at the Machame trailhead (5,380 ft.) and ends at the Machame Hut camp (9,350 ft.). The average hiking time is 5 to 7 hours with an approximate 4,000-foot elevation gain. The terrain is mossy rainforest.
Machame Hut Camp → Shira Plateau
Day 2 continues through the rainforest as well as through the moorlands. The overnight camp is at the spectacular Kibo peak (12,500 ft.). The average hiking time is 4 to 6 hours with an approximate 3,200-foot elevation gain.
Machame Hut Camp → Shira Plateau
Day 2 continues through the rainforest as well as through the moorlands. The overnight camp is at the spectacular Kibo peak (12,500 ft.). The average hiking time is 4 to 6 hours with an approximate 3,200-foot elevation gain.
Shira Plateau → Barranco Camp
Day 3 is all about acclimatization. Over 6 to 8 hours, you will take an acclimatization hike to Lava Tower (15,190 ft), and then descend to the Barranco valley to stay overnight (13,044 ft.).
Shira Plateau → Barranco Camp
Day 3 is all about acclimatization. Over 6 to 8 hours, you will take an acclimatization hike to Lava Tower (15,190 ft), and then descend to the Barranco valley to stay overnight (13,044 ft.).
Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp
Day 4 begins the preparation for the upcoming push to the summit. The hike climbs the Barranco Wall and then goes through several ridges and valleys before arriving at Karanga camp (13,106 ft.). This hike averages 4 to 5 hours with very little additional elevation gain.
*Note that Day 4 is the day that is skipped on the 6-day itinerary.
Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp
Day 4 begins the preparation for the upcoming push to the summit. The hike climbs the Barranco Wall and then goes through several ridges and valleys before arriving at Karanga camp (13,106 ft.). This hike averages 4 to 5 hours with very little additional elevation gain.
*Note that Day 4 is the day that is skipped on the 6-day itinerary.
Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp
Day 5 takes you to Barafu camp, (15,331 ft.), which is your final camp before the summit. The average hike time is 3 to 4 hours. Once settled in the Barafu camp, you’ll have an early supper, sleep for a few hours, and then arise at about 11:00pm to start tomorrow’s summit ascent.
Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp
Day 5 takes you to Barafu camp, (15,331 ft.), which is your final camp before the summit. The average hike time is 3 to 4 hours. Once settled in the Barafu camp, you’ll have an early supper, sleep for a few hours, and then arise at about 11:00pm to start tomorrow’s summit ascent.
Barafu Camp → Summit and Mweka Camp
Day 6 is the final push to the summit! You will start hiking at around midnight, using your headlamps to lead the way to Stella Point and then the summit. The average duration of this hike is 6 to 7 hours to the summit (19,341 ft.). After photos and celebration at making this incredible journey, there will be a 6 to 9 hour decent to Mweka camp (10,500 ft.).
Barafu Camp → Summit and Mweka Camp
Day 6 is the final push to the summit! You will start hiking at around midnight, using your headlamps to lead the way to Stella Point and then the summit. The average duration of this hike is 6 to 7 hours to the summit (19,341 ft.). After photos and celebration at making this incredible journey, there will be a 6 to 9 hour decent to Mweka camp (10,500 ft.).
Mweka Camp → Mweka Park Gate → Arusha
Day 7 is a 3-to-5-hour downhill hike to Mweka Gate and the end of your journey. After lunch, you will be transported to Arusha.
Mweka Camp → Mweka Park Gate → Arusha
Day 7 is a 3-to-5-hour downhill hike to Mweka Gate and the end of your journey. After lunch, you will be transported to Arusha.
