Kilimanjaro is a large stratovolcano and is composed of three distinct volcanic cones: Kibo, the highest; Mawenzi at 5,149 metres and Shira, the shortest at 4,005 metre. Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, while Kibo is dormant and could erupt again.
Uhuru Peak is the highest summit on Kibo’s crater rim. The Tanzania National Parks Authority, a Tanzanian governmental agency, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization list the height of Uhuru Peak as 5,895m. That height is based on a British Ordnance Survey in 1952. Since then, the height has been measured as 5,892 meters in 1999, 5,891 meters (19,327 ft) in 2008, and 5,888 meters (19,318 ft) in 2014.
The Machame route or whiskey route, the route considered to be tough comparing to the easiest Marangu route. It is the route of choice for many people because it provides impressive views and a variety of habitats. About 50% of all climbers, and most seasoned climbers, choose the Machame route. Upon your arrival day, our representative will pick you from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Kibo palace Arusha for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 1: Arusha to Machame gate (1830m) to Machame camp (3020m)
Climate: Montane forest
Hiking time: about 7 hours
Distance: barely 11kms
In the morning after breakfast at Kibo palace hotel, you will depart to Machame gate, for registration and clearance before start to trek. You will use barely 3 hours from Arusha and Machame gate, then after guide and porters will lead your way to Machame camp. You will have a welcome lunch stop about halfway and will reach the Machame camp (3020m) in the late afternoon.
Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will have erected your tent on arrival. In the evening the porters will bring a small bowl of washing water to your tent and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night.
Day 2: Machame camp (3020m) to Shira camp 3847m)
Climate: Moorland
Hiking time: about 6 hours
Distance: barely 5kms
Early in the morning after breakfast at machame camp, guide will lead you ascending to Shira camp1 through the moorland climate. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite at 3 847m. The porters will once again supply you with a small bowl of washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
Day 3: Shira camp (3847m) to lava tower (4642m) to Burranco camp (3984m)
Climate: Low Alpine zone
Hiking time: barely 7 hours
Distance: about 11kms
Early morning after breakfast at shira camp, proceed to ascend heading to Lava tower, where you will enjoy your lunch, before proceed to Burranco camp. After reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for your dinner to be prepared.
Day 4: Burranco camp to Barafu camp
Climate: high Alpine zone
Hiking time: about 8 hours
Distance: barely 9kms
Continue ascending, early in the morning after hot breakfast, you will make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end usually turns out to be easier than anticipated. The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.
Day 5: Barafu camp to Uhuru peak to Mweka camp
Climate: Glacial zone
Hiking time: about 7 hours to uhuru peak and 8 hours to Mweka camp
Distance: barely 5kms to Uhuru and 11kms to mweka camp
Rise up in the mid of the night, after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared.
Day 6: Mweka camp (3020m) to Mweka gate (1641m)
Climate: Montane forest
Hiking time: about 6 hours
Distance: barely 8 kms
After an early breakfast at mweka camp, you will proceed descending to Mweka gate. is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. Visit the tips page for more info. At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will be picked by our driver guide to Arusha end of safari.
