Kilimanjaro Machame Trekking on the Whiskey Route

Detailed itinerary

• Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport – Arusha – briefing and welcome dinner

  You will be met at Kilimanjaro Airport by our driver and then driven to your booked hotel in Arusha. The drive takes around one hour and, with a little luck, you may catch a glimpse of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru. After checking in, your guide will give you a short briefing about your booked trip and then go through your equipment. The rest of the day is at your leisure. In the evening you are invited to a welcome dinner by your guide. Overnight at the Mtoni River Lodge or an accommodation of equal category (D).

   

• Day 2: Arusha – Machame Gate (1,790 m) – Machame Camp (3,010 m) – 2 hours of driving and approx. 6 hours of hiking

  After breakfast we are driven, together with the crew, to the entrance gate of Kilimanjaro National Park, the Machame Gate. While our guide is busy with the registration formalities, we can watch our mountain team/the crew preparing for the ascent and packing the bags. Once registration is complete and the team is ready, our Kilimanjaro adventure begins. In no time at all we find ourselves deep in magnificent rainforest with ancient trees, primeval ferns, lianas, lichens and mosses that gently cover the ground and hang down from the trees. With a bit of luck you will even spot the beautiful black-and-white colobus monkeys in the treetops. After 5 to 6 hours we reach today’s destination – Machame Camp, set just above the tree line at 3,010 m. Here, at the foot of Kilimanjaro, we have our first dinner, followed by an overnight stay in tents. Overnight at Machame Camp (B|L|D).

  

• Day 3: Machame Camp (3,010 m) to New Shira Camp (3,845 m) – approx. 6 hours of hiking

  We continue our hike in the early morning. The trail now becomes steeper and the landscape changes into moorland and heath. The open scenery lets us take in the impressive mountain ridge of Kilimanjaro. Today’s stage is shorter than the previous day’s, and we will arrive at New Shira Camp in the late afternoon. The camp offers a breathtaking view of the mountains, and during sunset the evening light illuminates the rock face and the glacier of Kibo.
  Kilimanjaro was formed as a result of active continental rifting and consists of three volcanic cones: Shira/Shira Ridge (3,962 m), Mawenzi (5,148 m) and Kibo (5,895 m). The first volcanic activity is thought to have begun around 1 million years ago. Overnight at Shira Camp (B|L|D).

• Day 4: New Shira Camp (3,845 m) – Lava Tower (4,640 m) – Barranco Camp (3,960 m) – approx. 7 hours

  Today we will gain around 800 metres in altitude but camp at an elevation only slightly higher than the previous night. This allows the body to acclimatise better. The hike begins with a long ascent across the Shira Plateau towards the Lava Tower (4,640 m). The vegetation becomes sparser and the landscape transforms into an afro-alpine desert. The route leads us through the wide Barranco Valley with its enchanting lobelias and giant senecio plants. After 6 to 7 hours we reach the most beautiful camp on the mountain – Barranco Camp, with its dreamlike backdrop down to the plains and up to the summit of Kibo (5,895 m). Overnight at Barranco Camp (B|L|D).

  

• Day 5: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) to Karanga Camp (4,035 m) – approx. 4 hours of hiking

  Today’s route begins with the ascent of the “Barranco Wall”. Care and sure-footedness are essential, and your guides will assist you wherever needed. We follow the ridge with several ups and downs and can enjoy the wonderful view of the southern glacier of Kibo. As we walk along the mountain ridge, we can admire the beautiful landscape with its breathtaking contrasts of desert and vegetation before finally reaching the cloud-shrouded Karanga Camp. Overnight at Karanga Camp (B|L|D).

• Day 6: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) – Barafu Camp (4,640 m) – approx. 4 hours of hiking

  The vegetation becomes sparser as we approach the moon-like terrain of the Kibo Saddle, a fascinating high-altitude desert landscape. In the afternoon we have the opportunity to explore the first 200 metres of altitude of the ascent route, while the Mawenzi summit at 5,149 metres shines in full light. This is an important step for acclimatisation. Tonight we will have to go to bed early, because the night will be short. The ascent to the summit begins as early as midnight, so it is important that we rest well beforehand. Overnight at Barafu Camp (B|L|D).

• Day 7: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Millenium Camp (3,820 m) – approx. 12 to 14 hours

  After a hot tea/porridge and a light snack, the ascent begins around midnight. Warmly dressed and lit by the beams of our headlamps, we climb the scree slopes of Kibo. The trail rises steeply in switchbacks. After 5 to 7 hours of climbing in the dark we reach Stella Point (5,756 m), the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. From here on, strong winds and cold temperatures are to be expected. Another 1 to 2 hours of climbing along the crater rim lead us to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Here we see Kilimanjaro in all its glory and, at sunrise, enjoy the 360° view across the landscape. You are now standing on the “Roof of Africa”. The comparatively easy but long descent follows almost the same route. Temperatures now shift from below zero to high above. Shortly before midday we should arrive at Barafu Camp, where the porters and the cook are waiting for us with tasty dishes. After a warm meal and a well-earned break of about 1 to 2 hours, we set off for Millenium Camp (3,820 m), where dinner and a well-deserved rest await us. Overnight at Millenium Camp (B|L|D).

  

• Day 8: Millenium Camp (3,820 m) – Mweka Gate (1,630 m) – Arusha – approx. 3 hours of hiking and 2 hours of driving

  The final stage of our impressive adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony performed by our mountain crew. From there it is a gentle 2 to 3 hour descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where our driver is waiting for us. He takes us back to our hotel in Arusha. After a wonderfully warm shower you can spend the rest of the day relaxing by the hotel pool. Overnight at Hotel Mtoni River Lodge (B).

  

• Day 9: Departure: drive to Arusha–Kilimanjaro International Airport or onward extension module Safari/Zanzibar

  Free time until departure. Our driver will pick you up from the hotel according to your flight details and take you to the airport (B).

  We reserve the right to make changes to the programme due to special events, force majeure or weather conditions.

  Legend: B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner