Machame/ Whiskey Route
Image: Mollie & Jo
EXAMPLE ITINERARY:
Day 1:
You'll be the airport and transferred to Springlands Hotel near Moshi for the night. All rooms have ensuites, fans & mosquito netting fitted to the windows. There's also a pool to relax in!
(9).png)
PHOTO TAKEN BY BRIAN ROBINSON (OUR CLIENT WHO HIKED THE MACHAME ROUTE)
Day 2:
Machame Gate(1640m) Gate-Machame Hut (3000m)
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
After breakfast there will be a trek briefing. You'll then be transferred to the Machame Park Gate (around 50 minutes). Follow the winding trail through the rainforest until your reach the Machame Hut, your home for the night.
Day 3:
Machame Hut (3000m) to Shira Hut (3810m)
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Low brush / heather zone.
After breakfast you will follow an ascending path, leaving the rainforest behind. You will walk along a steep rock ridge which is coated in heather. The trail now turns west towards a river gorge. Overnight at Shira Hut camp.
(26).png)
PHOTO TAKEN BY BRIAN ROBINSON (OUR CLIENT WHO HIKED THE MACHAME ROUTE)
Day 4:
Shira hut camp (3810m)-Barranco hut (3860m)
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Volcanic
Continue east towards Kibo peak. Head towards the Lava Tower, known as The Shark's Tooth. You'll then reach a junction where you will meet the arrow glacier (4630m). Here, you descend to Barranco Hut (3860m). Overnight at the Barranco Hut.
PHOTO TAKEN BY BRIAN ROBINSON (OUR CLIENT WHO HIKED THE MACHAME ROUTE)
Day 5:
ACCLIMATISATION DAY
HIKING TIME: Local Hiking
Overnight at Karanga Camp.
Day 6:
Karanga Camp (3995m) -Barafu Hut (4673m)
HIKING TIME: 5-8 hours
HABITAT: Lunar-like landscape
Leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge through the Karanga Valley, connecting to the Mweka Trail. Continue onto Barafu Hut (4673m) where you can see the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo.
PHOTO TAKEN BY BRIAN ROBINSON (OUR CLIENT WHO HIKED THE MACHAME ROUTE)
Day 7:
Barafu Hut (4673m)-Uhuru Peak (5895m)
HIKING TIME: 11 hours
HABITAT: Exposed
A very early start today as you rise early to catch the sunrise at the summit. Continue your climb to Stella Point (5745m) on your way to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). After 6 hours of climbing you have reached the highest point in Africa-Congratulations!
From here you now descend back to the Mweka Hut Camp (3068m), which takes another 5 hours.
Day 8:
Mweka Hut Camp (3068m)-Mweka Park Gate (1640m)
After breakfast follow the trail down to the Mweka Park Gate before being transferred back to Moshi. Rest at the Springlands-have a beer and a well deserved dip in the pool!
.png)
Day 9:
Transfer back to the airport for your flight home.
GUIDE PRICE £2750pp
What's Included?
-
International indirect flights via Doha
-
2 nights at the Springlands Hotel (B&B)
-
FULL BOARD TREK WITH LOCAL EXPERIENCED GUIDE & PORTERS IN TENTED ACCOMMODATION
-
Transfers to and from Moshi to trek start/finish
-
Transfers to and from Kilimanjaro airport
.jpg)
When To Go
Technically, you can climb Kilimanjaro all year round, but here are our recommendations:
JUNE-OCTOBER: BEST TIME usually dry and clear skies. Quieter.
NOV-DEC: Rain. Visibility might not be as good.
JAN-FEB: Good visibility. BUSY as holiday season.
MARCH-MAY: Avoid due to wet, wind and snow. Visibility might not be as good.
Flight Time
It is easiest to fly into Kilimanjaro airport (KIA) (indirect flight from the UK).
Or, you can fly into Dar Es Salaam (DAR) and then fly to Kilimanjaro airport.
We recommend arriving several days before your trek begins.
Average travel time: 15 hours & 35 minutes.
