6-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Machame Route

From Arusha, drive to the Machame Route often called the Whiskey Route. From the Machame park gate is a gentle climb up through the original montane forest, carpeted with unique busy lizzie flowers, begonias and ferns. Your first camp is amongst the giant heather at 3000m ascent from 1200m. It takes 5 to 6 hours of walking.

Emerge from the giant heather zone and hike through fine open moorland to camp by the Shira Cave at 3,840m. There are herds of eland up here and occasional lions. There are fascinating geological features in the old volcanic caldera which can be viewed during a half-hour optional walk in the afternoon. Ascent 840m during the 4 to 5 hours of walking.

From Shira, climb towards the main peak Kibo, with the western glaciers clearly visible across the rugged high-altitude desert of volcanic rocks and boulders. Skirting around its base and under the imposing western breach, descend into the sheltered Barranco Valley for mid-way camp at 3,950m. This takes 6 to 7 hours of walking and only 110m total ascent. Having climbed much higher and dropped back down assists with acclimatization.

Up the steep Barranco wall with some sections of very easy scrambling and drop down again to Karanga Valley where you take a break for lunch.

After lunch, hike on to Barafu Hut 4600m, having hiked a total of 7 to 8 hours and ascended 650m. You have fantastic views across Mawenzi peak from the camp after having completed a long day of hiking. This now requires you to adequately relax in preparation for the challenging summit hike early the following morning.

A bracing 1:00 am start to climb the steep frozen scree. This is unavoidable on any route but we aim to go past Gillman’s Point to reach Stella Point on the crater rim for sunrise. Another 40 minutes and you are at the highest point on the continent (Kibo:5900m), usually in the warm sunshine. Return on the Mweka descent route.
Make an ascent of 1,300m and about 7 hours trek to the summit. Then make 2,600m descent taking 6 to 7 hours trek to the Mweka Campsite (3400m), above Mweka gate. This is a long hard day but you will feel absolutely ecstatic when you have done it!

From Mweka Campsite it takes 4 to 5 hours to descend through the forest to Mweka gate (depending on individual fitness). There you will pick up your certificates and meet the vehicle. Return to Arusha for the night.