7 Days 6 Nights - Whiskey Route to Uhuru Pick

The Machame route, also referred to as the Whiskey route, is one of the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro and a favorite for BC Kilimanjaro Trekking. Despite being a tough climb compared to the Marangu route, the Machame route has one of the highest summit success rates given the topography of the route which allows climbers to “trek high & sleep low” hence making it a more favorable route for acclimatization. Unlike the Marangu route which is a gradual ascent, the Machame route is has steeper trails and climbers walk longer distances. This route offers some of the most spectacular scenery while on the mountain. The Machame route starts in the south west side of the mountain and proceeds steeply north, traversing the Shira plateau and eventually joining the Shira and Lemosho routes at the Shira camp. The Machame route can be done in minimum 6 days but a 7 day trek is recommended so climbers are well rested and acclimatized before making the final ascent to the summit.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania

You will be picked up from Arusha/Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day. Overnight at Arusha of Moshi Town.

Day 2: Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)

One hour’s drive from Moshi lies the gate to the Machame route, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.

Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi  Approx. time taken: 6 hrs

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 3: Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)

Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.

Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi  Approx. time taken: 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 4: Shira Cave (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)

Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.

Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi  Approx. time taken: 8 hrs

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 5: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Barafu Camp (4640m

Our day starts by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley, which is our last stop for fresh water before the summit. Scree now forms the terrain as we walk through arid and desolate land towards Barafu camp.

Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi  Approx. time taken: 8 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m)

We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi  Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 7: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)

A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration. Overnight at Moshi or Arusha Town

Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi   Approx. time taken: 6 to 8 hours

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day 8: Depart Tanzania

Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi or Arusha town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.

*Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania

Price: $1870 Per person sharing