Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame (Whiskey) Route

DAY 1

Arrive at OUTPOST LODGE (HB) Arrive on own (or by private transfer, at a supplement) at the Outpost Lodge. Dinner is served at the lodge after a comprehensive climb briefing.

DAY 2 MACHAME GATE (5,950 ft./ 1,815 mt.) ~ MACHAME CAMP (9,850 ft./ 3,000 m)

Departure from Arusha will be at around 8 am for the Machame Gate, about 1.5 hours drive. Upon completion of entry formalities, begin walking through the mist on a 4 x 4 track for about an hour into the forest. The track ends, and the trail continues up through the dripping, verdant forest. Trekkers will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above, and many even see black & white colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys as they hike along the forest floor. The trek is quite long (12 miles / 20 km), though not very steep, and it takes from 5 to 7 hours trekking to reach the first camp. Machame Camp is just above the forest zone, in the heather zone. When it is clear, there are views of jagged Shira ridge and the summit itself.

DAY 3 MACHAME CAMP ~ SHIRA CAMP (12,600 ft./ 3,840 m)

Wake early to a steaming cup of tea or coffee served in your tent, and then after breakfast, begin up the steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, and trees of Giant Heather and Erica. The clouds should clear for a beautiful view of the Western Breach and the glaciers atop which mark the summit; Uhuru Peak. Scramble around large boulders as you enter the moorland zone, marked by the bizarre lobelia and Senecio plants, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards which protect wild alpine flowers growing at their bases. You’ll reach camp after descending a small valley and crossing a brook, then ascending up onto the Shira Ridge, after a total of about 4 to 5 hours of trekking.

DAY 4 SHIRA CAMP ~ BARRANCO CAMP (12,950 ft./ 3,950 m)

Proceed steadily upward over long ridgelines of the high desert for about 4 hours and break for lunch at about 14,500 feet (4,420 mt.). After lunch, continue to Lava Tower, a 300 foot-tall volcanic plug which marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet (4,600 m). In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a col (flat area) enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjaro), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia. Trekking time is from 6 to 7 hours.

DAY 5 BARRANCO CAMP ~ BARAFU CAMP (15,200 ft./ 4,630 m)

The day begins with a scramble up the steep ‘Barranco Wall’, then we trek 3-4 hours and stop in the Karanga Valley for a hot lunch. In the afternoon the trail turns steadily uphill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting as a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight. Eat and drink as much as possible before retiring to your tent for rest and sleep.

DAY 6 BARAFU CAMP ~ UHURU PEAK(19,340 ft./5,895 mt.) ~ MWEKA CAMP(10,200 ft./3,110 m)

The steaming hot drink will arrive very early on this momentous day. A midnight wake-up call is the start of a juggernaut (12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking from 12:30 to 1 am. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to –10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at the summit. The winding path of endless switchbacks will take form and shape in the shadows of the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers at early dawn, and behind you, the spires of Mawenzi will be silhouetted against the red glow of the sun from beneath the clouds. After about 6 hours of walking, you will come to the edge of the crater, at Stella Point, at 19,000 feet (5,790 mt.), which is the end of the steep track. From here, there is a gentle slope upward about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak. After a short time at the summit, descend the steep scree trail back to Barafu Camp for some rest, then again summon your strength for further descent to Mweka Camp for the night.

DAY 7 MWEKA CAMP ~ MWEKA GATE (6,000 ft. /1,830 m)

Descend straight to the gate (2-3 hours), where you’ll have lunch and will be awarded climbing certificates. Private transfer back to Moshi town, and drop at the hotel. Day 8 Enroute Viaggi’s driver will pick you from your Hotel and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight back home.

Before the climb - Be properly equipped:

An essential part of your preparation will be to ensure that you are well equipped for your summit attempt.

Be physically prepared:

It is important that your body is adequately prepared for the physical challenges of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mental preparation:

It is possible to summit Kilimanjaro successfully. Many before you have succeeded. This should be topmost in your mind when preparing for the summit attempt. You should always remain in a positive state of mind, but not overly arrogant. Try to anticipate various different scenarios, which you may possibly encounter on the mountain and try to work out the most suitable course of action, mentally by yourself or even as a group. Your mental stamina will, without a doubt, make the really difficult sections, like from Kibo to Uhuru or from Barafu to Uhuru, easier to complete.

On The Mountain Go slowly:

Go slowly - "Pole Pole" as they say in Swahili! This is also very important during your first days of climbing. Even if you feel well, slow down and enjoy the scenery. The biggest cause of altitude sickness is ascending too high too fast! The slower you hike to more time you give your body to acclimatize.

Drink enough water:

Make sure that you drink at least 3 - 4 liters of liquid a day - preferably water. For your first day, it is recommended that you take along fresh water, which may be purchased at the hotel in Arusha before your climb. Try to get the bottles with the screw tops, this way you will also have containers in which to take water further up the mountain. Running water on the mountain is safe to drink from day-2 onwards, but care should still be taken. If you are not used to freshwater in nature, prevent any inconvenience by using water purification tablets. REMEMBER! A functioning "body water balance" is one of the keys to a successful climb!

NB: Mountain gears can be hired from our store:

Hired equipment from our store must be pre-booked before the trip to ensure availability. it can be invoiced with the trip costs or paid directly by the client on arrival in Tanzania, all hired equipment must be paid in full before the climb commences.

Safety is our priority

1: Oxygen cylinder kit for emergency use only: For groups from 6+, two kits (400L medical oxygen bottles, each with a regulator & 2 nasal cannula masks) are provided.

2: Mobile phones: Daily communications.

3: A safety briefing is performed by the head guide at the second camp on each trek, exhibiting all the safety gear, and its’ use, to ensure the best possible safety response.

4: Trauma & medicine kit box: fully equipped as per Wilderness First Responder guidelines.

5: Hyperbaric Chamber - a portable altitude chamber, for emergency use only.

6: Pulse-oximeter: The head guide checks and charts these numbers daily at dinner time, for each climber.

7: Medical equipment porter stays with the group at all times, to ensure that the safety gear is always nearby and ready to employ if anything happens to the climber.

8: Automated External Defibrillator (optional on most treks): Included on treks with a night in Crater Camp.

Camping equipment & Mountain Gears:

1: Mountain Hardwear Trango 3.1 sleeping tents (a triple tent used as a double tent or single tent (with supplement)

2: All sleeping tents have custom-made groundsheets covering both vestibules, to allow clean & dry storage of gear, and keeping water, mud, or dust from entering the tent.

3: Cold-weather sleeping mats (closed-cell foam) which cover the entire floor of the sleeping tent, ensuring that you (and all your gear) stay dry throughout the climb.

4: Large custom-designed and fabricated weatherproof dining tents with a flysheet, four doors, windows and ventilation, and full floors with storm skirt and ropes.

5: Washstands provided for washing hands before each meal, with fresh hand-towels provided for each climber, before each meal

6: Washbasins provided for each trekker.

7: Hot water prepared for climber’s bottles at night

8: We offer high-quality rental gear/ trekking clothing like synthetic sleeping bags, Gore-Tex outerwear, warm layers, trekking poles, etc…

9: Hot showers (optional) Complete with a spacious rectangular framed tent, with a 15-liter solar shower bag perched on the top, shower mat, and plenty of clothes hooks, plus bath towels.

Kilimanjaro Mountain Crew:

Our staff has trained by an expert on mountaineering techniques setting handlines with reliable anchors, route safety training, rockfall protocol training, and use of ice ax for cutting steps and self-arrest.

1: Professional chef /cook – trained to the highest standards on a set menu plan.

2: Campsite Location – We always ensure not only the best camp location on the mountain but also the proper setup and breakdown of each camp.

Porters:

Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro would not be possible without porters. They are the backbone of all Kilimanjaro expeditions, and long have they been exploited by the tourism industry! However, a change has been happening, and ever so slowly there's a consciousness rising, both in terms of expectations of the porters and practices of a few tour operators.