6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame route the whisky route

DAY 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

(6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame route the whisky route)

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Distance covered: 10.6km

Time to be used: 6 hours

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Machame Camp

DAY 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

(6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame route the whisky route)

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Distance Covered: 5.4km

Time to be used: 4-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Shira Camp

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Distance Covered: 5.4km

Time to be used: 4-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Shira Camp

DAY 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

(6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame route the whisky route)

From the Shira Plateau, we continue hiking to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue climbing, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Distance Covered: 10.8km

Time to be used: 8 - 10 hrs

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Barranco Camp

DAY 4 : Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

(6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame route the whisky route)

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue hiking on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue climbing up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Distance Covered: 8.5 km

Time to be used: 8 hrs

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Kibo Hut

DAY 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

(6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame route the whisky route)

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue hiking our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy screed towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Distance Covered: 16.4km

Time to be used: 7-8 hours ascent - 4-6 hours descent

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Mweka Hut

DAY 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate - Back to Moshi

(6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Machame route the whisky route)

The pace quickens as you continue your triumphant way back down across alpine meadow and past Mandara Hut through the rainforest to Marangu Gate where you board the vehicle for the journey back to Moshi/Arusha.And this marks the end of Machame route 6 days.

Distance Covered: 9.1km

Time to be used: 3 hrs

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch