7-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route Hiking Tour – Whiskey Route Challenge

The most popular route on Kilimanjaro Mountain. Famously referred to as the “Whiskey route”. Offers amazing views, good acclimatization possibilities and high summit success rates. Book the Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour.

Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour Highlights

• Day 1: Arrive at Machame gate and hike to Machame camp (1,790 – 3,010m)
• Day 2: Hike from Machame camp to Shira 2 camp (3,010 – 3,845m)
• Day 3: Acclimatization Day; Hike from Shira 2 camp to Lava tower (3,845 – 4,640m), Descend from Lava tower to Barranco camp (4,640 – 3,960m)
• Day 4: Hike from Barranco camp to Karanga camp (3,960 – 4,035m)
• Day 5: Hike from Karanga camp to Barafu camp (4,035 – 4,640m)
• Day 6: Summit Day; Hike from Barafu camp to Uhuru Peak – summit (4,640 – 5,895m), Descend from Uhuru peak to Mweka camp (5,895 – 3,080m)
• Day 7: Descend from Mweka camp to Mweka gate (3,080 – 1,630m)

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Machame gate and hike to Machame camp (1,790 – 3,010m)

After breakfast at your hotel, drive to Kilimanjaro national park and complete all the formalities, thereafter, with guidance from your guide, start your Kilimanjaro climb from Machame gate through the rainforest (chances of spotting some wildlife) with a gradual ascent leading you to Machame camp where you will camp for the night.

Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Day 2: Hike from Machame camp to Shira 2 camp (3,010 – 3,845m)

Continue your climb through the rainforest and into the moorland. As the trail becomes steeper be sure to enjoy the rewarding views with increase in elevation. With thin vegetation and clear skies, you should be able to see a glimpse of your final destination, the snow-capped summit. Overnight at Shira camp 2.

Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Day 3: Acclimatization Day; Hike from Shira 2 camp to Lava tower (3,845 – 4,640m), Descend from Lava tower to Barranco camp (4,640 – 3,960m)

Important day in helping your body acclimatize and adapt to the increasing altitude. Hike up across the Shira plateau continuing to the Lava tower where you will stop for lunch as you enjoy the views of the alpine desert. Post lunch, descend to Barranco camp where you will spend the night, with amazing views of the Great Barranco wall.

Hiking time: 6-7 hours

Day 4: Hike from Barranco camp to Karanga camp (3,960 – 4,035m)

The famous Barranco wall awaits you today. To get to Karanga camp where you will spend the night today, you will have to go up the Barranco wall. It is not a challenging climb, but it will need you to put your hands to good use at some points as you climb. Enjoy the views as you go up and down the wall.

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Day 5: Hike from Karanga camp to Barafu camp (4,035 – 4,640m)

Today we ascend to the final campsite before the summit, Barafu camp. A short hike through a barren alpine desert. Once at the camp, prepare for summit night, your warm / winter clothes, warm gloves, hiking poles and boots. Have an early dinner and retire to bed early to get in enough hours of sleep for you will be up by 11:00pm.

Hiking camp: 3-4 hours

Day 6: Summit Day; Hike from Barafu camp to Uhuru Peak – summit (4,640 – 5,895m), Descend from Uhuru peak to Mweka camp (5,895 – 3,080m)

A hot cup of coffee / tea and a small snack to fuel up your energy reserves for the final summit attempt. Ascend via Gilman’s point reaching Uhuru peak by sunrise. Spend a few minutes savoring the moment, deep breaths, you made it to the top of Kilimanjaro,

Descent from Uhuru peak via Stella point, to Barafu camp for about an hours’ rest then continue down hill to Mweka camp where you will spend the night. Welcome back from the summit.

Hiking time: 5-7 hours

Day 7: Descend from Mweka camp to Mweka gate (3,080 – 1,630m)

On your final trek, you descend through the rainforests to Mweka gate. You will receive your summit certificates after completing your check out process. Your tour driver will pick you up and drive to your hotel in Moshi / Arusha for a celebratory night.

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