TREK OVERVIEW
The Machame “Whisky" Route
Known as the Whisky Route, this is one of the most scenic and therefore popular routes on the mountain, offering adventurous climbers stunning scenic outlooks. With paths through magnificent forests to gain a ridge leading through the moorland zones to late sunsets at Shira Plateau, to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco Wall.
It then traverses beneath the glaciated precipices of the Southern Ice fields to join the Barafu Route to the summit. Because it can be done over longer periods and the incline is more manageable, it has a much higher success rate of summiting.
TREK HIGHLIGHTS
Trek Duration
7 Days, 6 Nights
Traffic
High
Difficulty
Medium
Scenery
Excellent
Trekking Itinerary
Day 1: Machame Camp
You will then begin your hike through the rainforest on a twisted path up the ridge. The trail can be muddy and slippery, so the gaiters and trekking poles could come in handy. You will have lunch as we continue our trek to Machame Hut campsite.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Shira Camp
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.
Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Shira Cave Campsite - Lava Tower - Barranco Campsite
Today’s trek to Barranco campsite starts after breakfast, and our path will be towered by Lava Tower (4600meters), which is also called the Shark’s tooth. Your lunch will be served at the Lava Tower, as you’ll spend some time at this altitude to get used to it. Then we’ll head to Barranco camp, nestled at 3950m, and here you will have dinner and spend the night. Despite the fact that this day will end at the same elevation at which it begins, it is very important for acclimatization of your body for the summit day.
- Elevation 3840meters to 4600meters to 3950meters
- Distance: 12 km
- Hiking Time: 8-9 hours
- Habitat: Semi-Desert
Day 4: Barranco Campsite - Karanga Valley Campsite
We depart Barranco after breakfast, continuing on a steep ridge at the base of Barranco Wall toward Karanga Valley campsite. Hot lunch will be served at the camp. Later in the afternoon, you should go for an acclimatisation walk. Dinner will be served at Karanga Valley, where you will also spend the night.
- Elevation 3950 meters to 4002meters
- Distance: 5 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 5: Karanga Valley Campsite - Barafu Hut
You will continue trekking to Barafu after breakfast, from which the view of the summit tends to be different as you shift angles. Once we reach the campsite, you can get an excellent view of the summit, but also enjoy the sight of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Dinner will be served early, and you should rest and prepare for the final ascent.
- Elevation 4002meters to 4600meters
- Distance: 4 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 6: Barafu hut - Uhuru Peak - Mweka campsite
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
,From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.,
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Karanga Valley Campsite - Barafu Hut
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha (about 30 to 60 minutes).
- Elevation 4700 meters to 5895 meters to 3720 meters
- Distance: 20km
- Hiking Time:13 – 14 hours
- Habitat: Arctic
Enquiry and Cost Coverage
Total Cost Covers;
- Airport Transfers (upon Arrival and Departure)
- All Entrance fees and Government taxes
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Fair wages for the mountain crew.
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Rescue Fees and all taxes.
- Salaries for Porters, Cook, and Guides
- Oxygen Tanks, Pulse Oximeter, and First Aid Kit
- Transfers from the Hotel to the Kilimanjaro entrance gate and from the Kilimanjaro exit gate to the hotel.
Total Cost does not Cover;
- Passport, Visa, and Travelers Insurance
- International and local airfare.
- Yellow fever vaccinations
- Local transportation before and after the climb.
- Tips for the support team
- Personal expenses eg. Laundry, beverages, etc.
- Private Toilet and hot shower tent
- Bed, Sleeping Bag, and walking Poles.