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6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing In Tanzania via Machame Route
The Machame route (One of Kilimanjaro best route), also known as the "Whiskey" route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Machame’s draw is in its scenic beauty. However, the trail is considered difficult, steep and challenging, particularly due to its shorter itinerary. Therefore this route is better suited for more adventurous folks or those with some high altitude, hiking or backpacking experience. Climb Kilimanjaro Safely and Successfully with Us by choosing one of the best Kilimanjaro
Meeting Point
At the Hotel or Airport
DAY1 : Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journeys pass through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
Elevation: 1830m to 3000m, 6000ft to 10,200ft
Distance: 11km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Vegetation: Montane Forest
DAY2 : Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
Elevation: 3000m to 3840m, 10,200ft to 12,600ft
Distance: 5km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Vegetation: Moorland
DAY3 : Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4876m / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860m / 12,664 ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Elevation: 3800m to 4630m to 3986m, 15,000ft to 13,700ft
Distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Vegetation: Semi-desert
DAY4 : Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (lunch at 4200m / 13,779 ft), and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Elevation: 3900m to 4600m, 13,007ft to 15,295ft
Distance: 9 km
Hiking time: 8 hours
Vegetation: Alpine Desert
DAY5 : Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight 12:00am),, we continue our way to the summit. 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 (5685m / 18,652 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).
From Stella Point, you will encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.
Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Elevation: 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m) 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft)
Distance: 5km ascent / 12km descent
Hiking time: 6-8 hours ascent / 3 hours descent
Vegetation: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
DAY6 : Mweka Camp to Mweka gate
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). Twende Africa Tours vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).
Elevation: 3100m to 1830m, 10,200ft to 6000ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation: Forest
Finishing and Ending Point
Finish point this tour depend on client's recommendation either in hotel or at the airport.
Ending Point
At the Hotel or Airport
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Inclusions & Exclusions
All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
Professional, experienced, and friendly mountain guides
Medical evacuation with Kilimanjaro Search and Rescue> Flying Doctors.
2 night and accommodations-one before and after the trek in good hotels.
Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
Pulse-oximeter – To measure the oxygen level, for each climber daily
Portable Emergency Oxygen tanks
Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
Sleeping Mattress
All meals while on the Mountain
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Clean, purified drinking water
Crisis management and safety procedures
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Conservation fees (part of park fees)
Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
Rescue fees (part of park fees)
Arrival and Departure transfers
All Government Tax and Park Entrance Fees
VAT (18% charged by the Government)
Tips for guides, cook and porters
Track your trek by satellite device services
Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
Tips and gratuities
Travel insurance
Tanzania Visa on arrival
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
Tour Important Information
Best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro:
When to climb Mount Kilimanjaro safe, how to climb mount Kilimanjaro climbing route, When to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? or How to climb mount Kilimanjaro?
The fact is most of the month have few rainy days makes it possible for climb relatively good condition all the year round.
During the rain period of March and May, cloud tends to pile up and over the summit, dropping snow on top and at base. Visibility can be limited by cloud cover even when no rainfalls. The temperature at this time of the year is relative warm.
The dry season beginning in the rate June and through July can be very cold at night but usually is clear of cloud.
August and September are also cool and can have completely clear days, but usually a dripping cloud belt girdles the mountain above the forest moorland. The summit can be totally clear.
The shorter rainy period of October to December often has thunderstorms that pass over the mountain, dropping rains as they go. Typical the cloud disappear in the evening leaving the nights and morning very clear with excellent visibility.
January and February are usually dry, warm and clear with brief rain showers which make good climbing condition.
Even thought one can climb thought out the year, January, February and September are the best month with July, August, November and December are also good.
Important message from the guide
I work 7 days a week.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Kilimanjaro Tour Reviews
“Moshi Tour ”
My first day in Moshi and I was looking for a tour of the city. I found Peter online, and booked on a whim. I’m SO glad I did! It was like walking around town with a friend. He showed me everything I wanted to see and beyond. He met me at my hotel, and dropped me off there at the end. I felt safe with him, and like I was among friends in the beautiful Moshi city. Two highlights were the old railway station and Blue Zebra! If you are looking for a tour, definitely take a chance a go with Peter! Also, he’s a Kilimanjaro guide and it was fun to talk to him ahead of time about my big climb!
Peter K.
(1 reviews)Dear Christina, Thanks very much for sharing your experience with Tanzania Local Tour Guide with other travelers. Thank you so much for the right choice you’ve made to select and support our truly local tour Guide in Tanzania as the best tour operator of your lifetime experience adventure in our beautiful country Tanzania, the land of Mt Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti. Was a great moment we had together in my town, Moshi the gateway to our majestic Mt Kilimanjaro. Walking and staying around Moshi town before conquering Mt Kilimanjaro was the best choice. We hope one day you will come back, to visit other attractions available in our lovely country Tanzania. Our guides are excellent knowledge and experience in Kilimanjaro climbing, wildlife animals’ flora, and fauna, not only but also, we are very skillful in geography, history, and culture. We request you recommend our service to your co-workers and friends, Welcome back to Tanzania, we would be so happy to see you again. Your traveling to our country makes our life one more step forward. Many Thanks, Peter.
