This is probably the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. All your equipment and supplies are portered and a cook prepares all your meals. Where accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame route offers strictly tents only. This makes Machame (also referred to as the “Whiskey route”) better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, rewarding him with a scenic splendor such as not seen on the Marangu route.
Day 1: Nairobi – Arusha
After breakfast, we will pick you up from your Nairobi hotel and thereafter depart for Arusha via Namanga border town for immigration formalities. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at an Arusha hotel.
Day 2: Arusha – Machame Hut
An early start for Kilimanjaro National Park. Once we reach the park gate we will proceed directly to Machame hut campsite in an average hiking time of 6 hours for meals and overnight in tents. The altitude here is 3,100m.
Day 3: Machame Hut – Shira Hut
After breakfast, hike to Shira hut. The trek takes 4 hours approximately via the rain forest past the valley and a steep rocky ridge ending westward at a river gorge. You will have a rest, dinner and overnight at Shira hut campsite, 3,658m above sea level.
Day 4: Shira Hut – Barranco Hut
From Shira, hike to Barranco hut, in an average hiking time of 6 hours. We by-pass the lava tower and past the second junction which brings us to the arrow glacier, altitude 4,876m. We descend to Barranco hut campsite for our third overnight on Kilimanjaro, 3,860 m above sea level.
Day 5: Barranco Hut – Barafu Hut
After breakfast, leave Barranco and continue to the Karanga valley and the junction, which connects with the Mweka trail. We hike to Barafu hut where we set up camp. We will have walked for about 8 hours.
Dinner and overnight at the hut campsite, altitude 4,600m with the possibility of sighting both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
Day 6: Barafu Hut – Mweka via Stella Point & Uhuru Peak
Early rise and head for Stella Point altitude 5,745m on our way to the summit Uhuru Peak that is 5,896m above sea level. This part of the hike takes about 6 hours. From the summit we descend to the Mweka hut campsite, 3,100m above sea level. This part of the descent takes about 5 hours.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Mweka – Arusha
After breakfast, we descend to the Mweka Park Gate in an average hiking time of 4 hours and then drive back to Arusha for overnight.
Day 8: Arusha – Nairobi
After breakfast, depart for Nairobi on the morning or afternoon shuttle arriving at 01.00 p.m or 06.30 p.m
Price Includes:
- Guarantee price/guarantee trek on confirmation
- Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
- Full board accommodation whilst on the trek
- Meal plan as detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
- Accommodations in camps/huts as per the itinerary
- All park entrance fees to include government taxes
- Service of an English speaking professional guide, porters and skilled cook
- Start and finish Nairobi
- Treated water on the trek
- On completion, successful climb Certificate
Price Excludes:
- All airport transfers – where applicable, are not included in the cost
- All Optional activities costs as indicated in the itinerary are not included in the rates above
- Tips to our guides
- Items of a personal nature such as passport, visa, and traveler’s insurance