Although it is considered to be more difficult than the Marangu, the Machame or ‘Whiskey’ Route is actually now the most popular way up Kilimanjaro. Compared with Marangu (the next most popular route) the walking stage are actually longer and steeper, so it is perhaps favoured by those more used to hiking. The Machame begins its course in the south, then continues eastwards. It skirts along the mountain’s southern ice field before heading for the summit.
Those choosing the Machame for their ascent can look forward to varied and spectacular scenery, though its popularity means that you are never too far from the crowds! And if you choose to spend seven days on the mountain with this longer route, then the extra day to acclimatize will improve your chances of reaching the summit!
Words can never describe the breath-taking views enjoyed from the summit, the very ‘Roof of Africa,’ but the incomparable, exhilarating sense of achievement in getting to the top of Kilimanjaro is surely in itself the highlight of any trip.
Challenging. Guests undertaking one of our trips categorized as ‘challenging’ will require a good level of fitness and proper physical preparation –perhaps two or three months – in advance of arriving in Tanzania. To take one of these trips, you must be confident in your own level of fitness and stamina. Our ‘challenging’ trips involve a significant degree of high-altitude hiking, and at times a degree of discomfort can be expected. For example, on a summit day to reach the top of Kilimanjaro, a total of around 13 hours is required of participants and this is combined with a great deal of ascent and descent. Special clothing and equipment are required for these trips, as advised on our trip notes, and accommodation is in tents or mountain huts, depending on which trip is undertaken.
Accommodation on this tour is in our Basic category, with two night’s hotel accommodation in Arusha and six nights out on the Mountain in the public campsite. Our Basic level accommodations are selected by Easy Travel to focus on good value.
| Day | Start (Location) | Altitude (Meter) | Altitude (Feet) | Finish (Location) | Altitude (Meter) | Altitude (Feet) | Time (Hrs) | Vegetation(Zone) | Distance (km) | Distance(Miles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Machame Gate | 1640 | 5381 | Machame Camp | 2972 | 9751 | 5-6 | Rain Forest | 11 | 7 |
| 2 | Machame Camp | 2972 | 9751 | Shira 2 Camp | 3804 | 12,480 | 4-6 | Heath & Moorland | 5 | 3 |
| 3 | Shira 2 Camp Lava Tower | 3804 4630 | 12,480 15,190 | Lava Tower Barranco Camp | 4630 3950 | 15,190 12,959 | 4-5 2-3 | Alpine Desert | 7 3 | 4 2 |
| 4 | Barranco Camp | 3950 | 12,960 | Karanga Camp | 4033 | 13,232 | 4-5 | Alpine Desert | 6 | 3 |
| 5 | Karanga Camp | 4033 | 13,232 | Barafu Camp | 4556 | 14,948 | 4-5 | Alpine Desert | 4 | 2 |
| 6 | Barafu Camp Uhuru Peak | 4556 5895 | 14,948 19,341 | Uhuru Peak Mweka Camp | 5895 3100 | 19,341 10,171 | 7-8 4-6 | Ice Camp Rain Forest | 5 12 | 3 7 |
| 7 | Mweka Camp | 3100 | 10,171 | Mweka Gate | 1640 | 5381 | 3-4 | Rain Forest | 10 | 6 |
| 63 | 37 | |||||||||
After your long flight, you’ll be pleased to spend your first night in comfort at your hotel, the Planet Lodge in Arusha. If you have chosen to be picked-up by us from Kilimanjaro International Airport, your Easy Travel driver will be waiting to meet and welcome you and take you to your hotel in Arusha to relax after your flight. Your adventure has begun!
This morning we take a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, before setting out in our vehicle at around 08.00hrs to allow for a scheduled arrival at Machame Gate (1640 meters) at 10.00hrs. Our first job will be to complete the registration formalities, before we start our trek. You will also enjoy the introduction to your mountain team: your guides, porters and everyone else who will accompany you as you make your ascent.
Today’s walk is a long one: in pure numbers, you will gain around 1332 metres of altitude over a distance of just under 11km/7miles and can expect to be walking for between 5 and 6 hours.
The beginning of the walk today is characterised by a wide track that winds its way up through dense forest, beautiful tall trees laden with green moss. As the route becomes steeper and narrower, so the vegetation changes and the appearance of flowers such as impatiens kilimanjari and impatiens pseudoviola introduce some bright colours to the scenery. You will also be able to see Kibo Peak, away to the east. The birdlife around the camp is surprisingly rich, so look out for species such as olive thrush and stonechat. We hope to reach camp at about 17.00hrs, giving you a couple of hours of welcome rest before dinner is served
Today’s stage is short and steep, as we push on up to an altitude of over 3804 metres. Our hard work in the morning, on a narrow path, is well rewarded at lunchtime with wonderful vistas both to the south and over to Kibo. Surely there can be no better location for lunch?
Having made an early start around 08.30hrs, we would expect to reach our camp by 14.00hrs, by which time we will have encountered the moorland lobelias and the distinctive dark obsidian rock of Shira Plateau for the first time. From Shira Caves, you will have time to marvel at some great natural sights such as the so-called ‘Shira Cathedral,’ Klute Peak and Mount Meru, before enjoying your dinner around 18.00hrs.
