The Whiskey Route
On the mountain you will be staying overnight at tented campsites.
Tour Package Overview
This is one of the most popular routes to take when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. This is because it is a very scenic route while also being more budget friendly than some of the longer hikes. As such, the traffic on this route is denser than others.
Known as the whisky route, the journey is a little harder than other routes (such as the Marangu route) however the success rate is higher! Although it is possible to climb this route in 6 days, the extra day give you an even higher chance of summiting, as such it is definitely worth an extra day on the mountain.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Machame Route
Day By Day
Day 0 :
Arrival In Tanzania : Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. On arrival in Tanzania we will transfer roughly 1 hour to your hotel in Moshi town. You`ll have a short time to freshen up, and then have a briefing. Your guide will give you a briefing and ensure that you have all the gear/kits required for the trip. If you are missing essential equipment it can be rented for very cheap prices.
Park View Hotel (Bed & Breakfast): Possibility to upgrade to more luxurious accommodation (at an extra cost) or downgrade to more economic options (price reduction).
Meals : Bed & Breakfast (Dinner not included)
Day 1
Moshi Town To Machame Gate to Machame Camp :
Your trek to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro will start at the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gates. Here you will meet you guide and porters, who will be your family for the next week. When your registers, packed and ready to go, your guide will lead you through a winding trail through the rainforest to your first camp, Machame Camp, where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Elevation: 3,000 m
Hiking Distance : 9km
Walking Time: 5 to 7 Hrs
Habitat : Mountain forest, Heather and Moorland Zone
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 2
Machame Camp To Shira Camp :
After an early morning breakfast, you will begin your ascent out of the rainforest and into the heather moorland zone. You will cross many streams and walk over a plateau that leads to Shira 2 Camp (3840m). At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and its glaciers in the East. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.
Elevation: 3,500 m
Walking Distance: 7 KM
Walking Time: 6 to 7 HRS
Habitat : Moorland Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3
Shira Camp To Lava Tower To Barranco Camp :Today you will see many different things on your hike upwards! From the Shira Plateau you will make your way towards Kibo Peak. On your way you will pass the Lava Tower followed by the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 m. You will then descend to the Barraco camp where you will have dinner and camp for the night.
This day is important for acclimatisation. Even though you camp at a similar elevation to your previous night, you will have reached a great height today.
Elevation: 3960 m
Walking Distance: 10KM
Walking Time: 6-8 Hrs
Habitat : Alpine Desert Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4
Baranco camp To Karanga Camp:
Today will start with the daunting Barranco Wall. Soon you will realize it looks worse than it actually is, but there are tricky sections where you will need to hold on tight. Admire the views from the top.
The rest of the route follows along the mountain ridge into the Karanga valley and out. You reach Karanga Camp after lunch and you will have fantastic views of the southern glacier of Kibo as well as of the Kibo summit. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
Elevation: 4,100 m
Walking Distance: 7 km
Walking Time: 4 to 5 Hours
Habitat : Alpine desert Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp :
Following breakfast, you will leave Karanga Camp (3959m). The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu Camp (4550m). The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!.
Elevation: 4640 m
Walking Distance: 4 km
Walking Time: 2-3 Hours
Habitat : Alpine Desert Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6
Barafu Camp To Uhuru Peak, Down To Mweka Camp:
Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest and you will ascend over stone scree. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In about 6 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5685m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 2 hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins.
The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours.At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Mweka Hut (3100m). The Mweka Trail will lead you through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.
Elevation: Up 5895m, Down 3100m
Walking Distance: Approx. 7 Km ascent and 23 Km descent
Walking Time: 8 hrs to reach Uhuru Peak, 7-8 hrs to descend to Mweka
Habitat : Stone scree and Ice-capped summit Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi :
After a well-deserved breakfast, it is a short, scenic, 3-hour hike back to the park gate. Don't give your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely, but do remember to tip your staff at the gate. At Mweka Gate, you can sign your name and add details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down to the Mweka Village, possibly a muddy, 3 km, 1 hour hike if the road is too muddy for vehicles. In the Mweka Village you will be served a delicious hot lunch after which you are driven back to Moshi for an overdue hot shower and comfortable night at your hotel in Moshi.
Park View Hotel (Bed & Breakfast): Possibility to upgrade to more luxurious accommodation (at an extra cost) or downgrade to more economic options (price reduction).
Meals : Bed & Breakfast (Dinner not included)
Day 8 :
Departure Date/Flight Day :
A long and short safari, Zanzibar holiday or Mafia island adventure can be arranged right after your trek or at the beginning of your trek with us. If you wish to explore round Moshi Town and visit some of it's local attractions and people, you'll need to spend another overnight. We have put together a list of Moshi destinations. View Them Here
If not, You will be transfered to the airport ready for you flight back home or onward to your next destination.
No Accommodation : Check-out time is 10:30am
Meals : Breakfast (Lunch & Dinner not included)
