MACHAME ROUTE – 56.4 km
The route is very popular among routes of mount Kilimanjaro even though the route has got the nickname “Whisky route” the described the hard route of Kilimanjaro although the Umbwe route has come to be a super tough climb than Machame however both unit at Barranco camp when Machame already had more days to get this camp than the second day of Umbwe route.
Machame route is super adventure and has dense and stable montane natural forest which begins right after sign in at Machame gate always the first-day hike will lead under the forest canopy with beautiful wildlife such as different forest Birds, Plants species, and Black and white colobus monkeys which are common in the rain forest.
Itinerary
Day 1; Machame gate to Machame camp
Distance; 10.75 km ;altitude gained;1210m
Machame gate;1811m/5942ft
Machame camp;3021m/9911ft
The first night at Machame camp is quite high which requires someone who has already experienced the altitude before due to much gained for the first day even though is not a disadvantage of your trek, you have still days to come which can be possible for your body to acclimatize well.
Day 2; Machame camp to Shira cave campsite
Distance;5.3km; altitude gained;818m
Shira cave campsite;3839m/12,595ft
The second day of hike proceeding on a steep section over the rock with mountain heather side to side up to the picnic site then from here less steep following on your left side like heading to Shira plateau after the top of the ridge slight short downhill to Shira cave camp and the habitant is moorland zone which prefers species adapts to live this harsh climate
This day has offered a short afternoon hike for acclimatization toward above the rock cliff with pretty views to all side
Day 4; Barranco camp to Karanga camp via Barranco wall &Karanga valley
Distance;5.5; altitude gained;49m/158ft
Karanga camp;4035/13,235ft
After breakfast initially climb heading on scrambling over the Barranco wall which is like a rock climb although it’s untechnical climbing it could require self-awareness to cross this section up to the top of the wall (257 m from the camp to the top of Cliff) then from this point most of the part are downhill to Karanga Valley before shorter steep to Karanga camp aside of the trail growing Senecio and Lobelia the endemic plants on Kilimanjaro.
Day 3; Shira cave campsite to Barranco campsite via Lava Tower
Distance;10.75km via Lava Tower; altitude gained;147(788m up to Lava Tower then 641m descent to Barranco.
Lava Tower;4627m/15,180ft
Barranco camp;3986m/13,077ft
The third day of this route leads you to climb higher and sleep lower as trying to take you a little high almost to the same elevation of Barafu camp the last campsite before the summit attempt and this day expect to joint with the standard Lemosho route the southern circuit route and together take down to Barranco camp though very few groups sometimes no spilt and heading to western breach route which starts from Lava tower camp and the day demonstrate how crowds after joining with both popular routes on Kilimanjaro even not a disadvantage think much about important acclimatization gained by altitude gained and lost at the same day walk.
Day 5;Karanga Camp to Barafu campsite
Distance;3.5m/2.2 miles; altitude gained;627m/2060ft Barafu camp;4662m/15,295ft
The day is very short though it needs more slowly for your preparation for the summit assault could start from Barafu camp here the path is more smoothly with elevation increasing and experience your hike on the alpine desert.
Day 6; Barafu camp to UHURU PEAK via Stella point back to Barafu camp and then proceeding descent down to Mweka camp
Distance;11.5 km ;altitude lost;2789m
Kosovo camp;4863m/15,955ft
Stella point;5745m/18848ft
UHURU PEAK;5895m/19,341ft
High camp;3827m/12,556ft
Mweka camp;3106m/10,190ft
SUMMIT DAY
Summit bid begins from Barafu camp either is midnight or day depends on your guide and the schedule you follow however summit walking start at least 1200 A.M at midnight move toward up to the top of crater rim along southern ice field on your left-hand side, the route is very popular as join with trekkers from Lemosho route then at the rim almost meet with all trekkers have summited the same day whether are on way up or down although each one trying to do best to experience memorable dreamt.
After summit achievement then mostly walk back to Stella Point and then from here cut straight ski-run down which are optional of the gentle descent on the right-hand side this descent is quite steep down when you take a shortcut way down to Barafu camp to escape zig-zag way going up and sometimes easy way down but not only that if you are not experiencing that before to descent along the loose sands or snows. Do not hesitate to ask your guide for more help which could be accompanied or follow the zig-zag way down slowly safe.
Day 7; Mweka camp to Mweka gate
Distance; 9.1km; altitude lost;1473m descent
Duration; 3 to 3.5hours to reach Mweka gate
Mweka camp; 3106m/10,190ft
Mweka Gate;1653m/5423ft
Finally from this camp will start walking the very pretty forest trail alive with birdsong and flowers and authorities have decided to build steps on the steep parts which we are sure is good for combating erosion through cloud forest then around 2hours you will find yourself walking on the start of the 4WD track down to the gate which takes 45minitus away
Top of Barranco wall
Stella point
Take a look to our recommended kilimanjaro routes and safari packages
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