The Oldest 7-Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Machame Route Private Tour

About The Kilimanjaro Climbing Machame Route

The Machame Route is a renowned and captivating trail that leads adventurous souls to the summit of Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. Known for its breathtaking scenery, diverse landscapes, and challenging terrain, the Machame Route offers a thrilling and unforgettable trekking experience. Scenic Beauty and Wildlife: As trekkers embark on the Machame Route, they are greeted by awe-inspiring landscapes at every turn. The trail winds its way through dense and enchanting rainforests, where the air is filled with the sounds of chirping birds and the occasional glimpse of monkeys swinging through the trees. This lush environment provides a stark contrast to the higher altitudes, where trekkers are treated to panoramic views of rugged cliffs, vast glaciers, and the surrounding African plains. Physical Challenge: The Machame Route presents climbers with a moderate to strenuous challenge. The ascent involves steep inclines, rocky terrain, and long hiking days. Trekkers must be prepared for the physical demands of the trail, including high altitudes that may cause altitude sickness. However, with proper acclimatization and a well-paced itinerary, climbers can successfully overcome these challenges. Camping Experience: One of the unique aspects of the Machame Route is the camping experience it offers. Along the trail, there are designated campsites where climbers can rest and recharge for the next day's adventure. These campsites provide basic facilities, and sleeping under the starry African sky adds a touch of magic to the journey. Sharing stories and camaraderie with fellow trekkers around the campfire fosters a sense of community and adventure. Summiting Uhuru Peak: The ultimate goal of any Machame Route trek is reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro. Standing at an impressive 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level, summiting Uhuru Peak is a truly awe-inspiring achievement. As climbers ascend towards the summit, the temperature drops, and the air becomes thin, but the sense of accomplishment upon reaching the top is unparalleled.

The Overview for 7-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Machame Route Tour

The Machame route, also known as the "Whiskey" route, is a six or seven day camping route and the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. This route offers great scenery, a reasonable level of challenge, and plenty of time to acclimatize, making it a good choice for those who have a little more time in their schedule. According to Kilimanjaro National Park statistics, it is used by about 35% of all climbers on the mountain. Machame route has been nicknamed the “Whiskey Route” because it is often perceived as being tougher than Marangu route, which is often referred to as the “Coca-Cola” route. Unlike that trail however, camping is allowed on Machame, which means trekkers will be sleeping in tents all the way to the summit.

Trekkers who take the Machame Route pass several well-known Mount Kilimanjaro landmarks while en route, including the famed Lava Tower and Shira Plateau. The route wanders up and down a series of valleys and ridges, which make the walk a bit more strenuous, but rewards hikers with some of the best views on the mountain. It is for that reason that Machame route is widely considered to be the most scenic of all of the routes up Mount Kilimanjaro, providing unique and varied landscapes to pass through on each and every day. The trail starts on the south side of the mountain, passes underneath the Southern Ice Field and makes its summit approach from the Barafu Camp.

The Highlights for 7-Day Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour

The Itinerary for 7-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Machame Route Tour

Day 1: Arrival to Moshi.

You will be welcomed at the airport and taken to your hotel in Moshi after arriving in Tanzania. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing and getting ready for the climb after your guide gives you a briefing.

Day 2: Machame Gate to Machame Camp.

You'll be driven to the Machame Gate, where you'll sign up with the park's officials and start your climb. Following a gradual ascent through heath and moorland to Machame Camp (9,950ft/3,033m), the trail begins in a dense rainforest.

Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp.

You'll keep climbing through heath and moorland, navigating ridges and valleys as you do so to get to Shira Camp (12,600ft/3,840m).

Day 4: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp.

Today you will climb to Lava Tower, a rocky outcropping, at a height of 15,190 feet (4,630 meters), and then descend to Barranco Camp at a lower elevation of 12,950 feet (3,950 meters). As you will ascend high before sleeping low, today is a good day for acclimatization.

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

You will ascend the Barranco Wall, a difficult scramble in open terrain, before making your way through the Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp (15,090ft/4,600m).

Day 6: From Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and back to Mweka Camp

You will begin your ascent to the summit very early in the morning (around midnight). Stella Point (18,652ft/5,685m), from which you can continue to Uhuru Peak (19,341ft/5,895m), will be reached after several hours of nighttime ascent. In order to reach Mweka Camp (10,000ft/3,050m), you will first return to Barafu Camp for a brief rest.

Day 7: Mweka Park Gate (~5,000’) to Arusha

We make the final descent through the rain forest to Mweka Gate. Here we will have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Drive back to Arusha for a hot shower and a celebratory dinner.

The Included and Excluded Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour