The 9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route also known as the “Whiskey” route. The 9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route is the perfect choice for both experienced and first-time trekkers. Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route begins at Machame Gate, located at the southern base of the mountain, within its green, abundant rain forest. 9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route climb to the Shira Plateau, then traverse the mountain beneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Icefield, before summiting from Barafu Hut.
The 9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route is recommended because it provides an additional acclimatization day and shortens some of the daily hikes. Considered by many to be the most scenic path to the summit, the Machame boasts different routes to the summit and back. Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route first day of trekking is about 5 hours through the beautiful rain forest at the base of Kilimanjaro to the Machame Camp. The 9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route continues on the second day through increasingly sparse trees and bushes into moorlands and finishes at Shira Camp.
Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route
The third day of trekking is quite helpful for acclimatization as you ascend to the Lava Tower (15,000 feet / 4600m) before descending to the campsite in Barranco Valley. The area before the campsite is known as the “Garden of the Senecios”, which features many huge senecio plants as well as the shorter lobelia plants. The 9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route fourth day starts with the ascent of the Barranco Wall, which is the most difficult climb and involves some easy scrambling. Continuing from the Wall the trail levels out and descends a bit to the Karanga River where we will set up camp for the night.
The 9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route fifth day takes you up to the high camp at Barafu. The vegetation has disappeared completely by the time you reach Barafu and you’re a presented with a barren volcanic plain. The afternoon is spent resting here and the push to the summit begins at 11pm when you gear up for a midnight departure.
Leaving at midnight it’s a slow and cold 6 hour climb to the crater rim and then another hour traverse of the rim to Uhuru Peak the final summit. Having reached the summit you will descend again to Barafu take a short nap break and then continue to the lower elevations at Mweka Camp.
According to statistics from Kilimanjaro National Park approximately 53% of trekkers use the Machame Route to ascend Kilimanjaro. The route is very scenic, providing hikers with incredible views and varying landscapes. The Machame route is relatively difficult as climbers need to be able to ascend the Barranco wall on day four and contend with a steep incline up Kibo on summit night.
The 9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Routeis tent camping.
The Machame Route is one of the best options for climbing Kilimanjaro and reputed to have the highest success rate. This scenic 7 day climb offers a longer period for acclimatization than our standard 6 day Machame Climb. It features a tented camping experience as opposed to the Marangu Route which makes use of an extensive mountain hut system.
Your 9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route trip starts when we pick you up from the airport at Kilimanjaro from where we will take you to a hotel in Moshi for the night and you will be introduced to your mountain guide who will ensure you have all the necessary gear for the climb. The next morning it’s about an hour drive to the park gate where you will begin the trek.
The first day of trekking is about 5 hours through the beautiful rain forest at the base of Kilimanjaro to the Machame Camp. The trek continues on the second day through increasingly sparse trees and bushes into moorlands and finishes at Shira Camp. The third day of trekking is quite helpful for acclimatization as you ascend to the Lava Tower (15,000 feet / 4600m) before descending to the campsite in Barranco Valley. The area before the campsite is known as the “Garden of the Senecios”, which features many huge senecio plants as well as the shorter lobelia plants.
The fourth day starts with the ascent of the Barranco Wall, which is the most difficult climb and involves some easy scrambling. Continuing from the Wall the trail levels out and descends a bit to the Karanga River where we will set up camp for the night. The fifth day takes you up to the high camp at Barafu. The vegetation has disappeared completely by the time you reach Barafu and you’re a presented with a barren volcanic plain.
The afternoon is spent resting here and the push to the summit begins at 11pm when you gear up for a midnight departure. Leaving at midnight it’s a slow and cold 6-hour climb to the crater rim and then another hour traverse of the rim to Uhuru Peak the final summit. Having reached the summit, you will descend again to Barafu take a short nap break and then continue to the lower elevations at Mweka Camp.
One of the reasons for such a long day of trekking is to avoid problems with acclimatization and get you back down to a lower elevation quickly. The seventh and final day of the climb has trekkers continue through the montane forest to Mweka Gate where transport will be waiting to take you back to Moshi where you will enjoy a final farewell dinner with the staff before departing the following morning.
9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route Tour Highlights
Reaching the summit! Experiencing that incomparable, ‘roof of the world’ feeling
A more relaxed pace than other routes, but longer in time and distance. But very challenging!
The Machame Route is approximately 62 km/ 37 miles from gate to gate.
It is designed for physically fit people with some hiking experience, but plenty of first time trekker use the route as well and do just fine.
It is rated as one of Kilimanjaro’s better routes and thus is recommended.
It is certainly a better choice than the typical tourist’s route – Marangu.
All about the 9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route.
9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route Climb, the Machame route, or (Whiskey Route) at a total length of 65km. 9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route is one of the most popular for Kilimanjaro climbers. 9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route is recommended for those with climbing experience, reasonable level of fitness and a yearning for a challenge to make it within six days.
9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route begins at Machame Gate, located at the southern base of the mountain, within its green, abundant rainforest. We climb to the Shira Plateau, then traverse the mountain beneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Icefield, before summiting from Barafu Hut. The 9 day Machame route is recommended because it provides an additional acclimatization day and shortens some of the daily hikes. The total time on the mountain is 7 days.
The main difficulty lies in an altitude gain of over 2,000m (6,600 feet) in 24hrs including summiting, resulting in a 7% drop in success rates. If you are planning to take Machame Route in November, April or May, the path may be eroded by rain making the climb more difficult. The 7-day programme, on the other hand, offers success rates of 85% due to gradual acclimatization and will suit anyone aspiring to climb Kilimanjaro.
In a matter of days, you will climb Kilimanjaro from the equator up to an Arctic zone, moving through grasslands, tropical rainforest, alpine meadows, moorlands and high desert to snow and ice. Each day on this route presents quite a distinct ecosystem to experience, which is one reason it is so popular.
the scenery and trekking experience are unmatched. From tropical rainforests and scorched desert plains to stunning arctic landscapes, you’ll get to experience it all. Don’t miss out on your chance to climb the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. Book early to secure your place! The Machame Route’s exhilarating ascent up to the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro will satisfy even the most adventurous climber.
Welcome in Tanzania: Meet and greet at arrival point by our transferring driver who will escort you to the waiting vehicle for loading your luggage then drive you to the Hotel in Moshi town. After checking in the hotel you will get briefing about your next day’s trek then your mountain guide will check your gears. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing at the pool or exploring the town of Moshi.
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to the Machame gate. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your waiting lounge registering with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rain forest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the look out for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! About halfway up the trail you will have a lunch break and you will reach the Machame Camp (2980) in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chef who move very fast up the mountain will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served followed by overnight.
After an early morning breakfast, you will start you ascent leaving the rain forest and entering the heathland moorland vegetation. You will cross many streams and walk over a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau that leads to Shira 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.
Following an early morning breakfast, you will leave the moorland environment and enter the semi desert and rocky landscape. After 5 hours of walking east, you will be come face to face with the Lava Tower (4630m). Packed lunches are served at the Tower and hikers have the option of climbing the massive Lava Tower weather permitting. At this point of the hike, it is normal for hikers to start feeling the effects from the altitude including headaches and shortness of breath.
After lunch, you will descend from Lava Tower (4630m) to the Barranco Campsite (3950m). The 6800m descent gives hikers a huge advantage to allow their bodies to adjust to the conditions of high altitude. The descent to camp takes around 2 hours to reach. It is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall (“Breakfast Wall”). Drinking and washing water and dinner will be served as hikers view the sun setting.
After an early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. This is an ideal hiking day for acclimatization.
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!
Your guide will wake you up 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.
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
Located in Moshi, 25 km from Mount Kilimanjaro, Keys Hotel provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a bar. With a shared lounge, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, room service and currency exchange for guests.
A Full English/Irish breakfast is available daily at the hotel. Aleems Grocery is 1.7 km from Keys Hotel, while Moshi Highway Supermarket is 3.4 km away. The nearest airport is Kilimanjaro International, 32 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Shira Camp
Shira Camp Kilimanjaro is the second camp on the Machame Route. There are in fact two camps on the Shira Plateau – Shira Camp 1 on the western side and Shira Camp 2 on the Eastern side. People using the Shira and Lemosho Route usually stay at Shira Camp 1; however, seven or eight-day trekkers on these routes sometimes stay at Shira Camp 2 as well.
Shira Camp 2 (3,847m) sits on the Eastern edge of the Shira Plateau. It is the first camp at which altitude sickness might start to be felt. It also provides stunning views across the Kilimanjaro valley below.
Barranco Camp
Barranco Camp is the third pitstop along the Machame Route climbing up Mount Kilimanjaro. This area of the mountain is semi-desert and the camp is set in a valley close to the Great Barranco Wall.
The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance.
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Shira Camp
Shira Camp
