Kilimanjaro (5895m) via The Machame Route

• Total Cost per Person: £1,500
• Amount Due Now: £750
• Remaining Balance: £750

Travel Dates:
June – October
December – February

Price:
£1,500 per person

Embark on an unforgettable 7 days adventure along the scenic Machame Route, known as the “Whiskey Route” for its stunning views and challenging climbs. This route offers a rich trekking experience through diverse landscapes — from rainforest to alpine desert — with high summit success rates.

Land at Kilimanjaro International Airport where your transfer will be waiting to take you to
your accommodation!

After breakfast and briefing, you will be transferred to the Machame village from your
hotel. While the guides and porters prepare and pack your equipment, you will have
an opportunity to purchase small items in the village, such as snacks and water. After
registering at the Machame gate office, you will immediately enter the rain forest to
begin your ascent. Be prepared for rain; it can get quite wet and muddy in these parts.
After a mid-day lunch and several more hours of hiking, you will arrive to the first
camp site where you will find that the porters have already arrived and have set up
your tent. The evening will end with a hot meal and afterwards you will be able to
enjoy the starry night sky at the Machame campsite, where temperatures can fall to
freezing point already.
Hike through the lush rainforest and along winding trails and learn about the local
wildlife, perhaps even spotting a blue monkey or a tree hyrax.
 Duration of hike: ~7 hours
 Distance: ~18 km
 Environment: Montane Forest

After an early morning breakfast, you will begin climbing and within an hour or so,
reach the pinnacle of the forest. At that point, the trail will decrease in slope to a more
gentle gradient, as you begin to enter a moorland area, where you will continue for 2
more hours. Following a scenic rest, where you will be provided with lunch, you will
continue onto terrain which will be a bit rockier, onto the Shira plateau. Here you will
be treated with miraculous views of the Western Breach, with gorgeous glaciers. After
a short hike, you will reach your destination for the evening where porters will await
you once again with your accommodations set up already. Shira campsite, situated at
3,840 meters, is exposed and will therefore become even colder at night, with
temperatures usually well below freezing.

 Duration of hike: ~6 hours
 Distance: ~9 km
 Environment: Moorland

On day 4 you will start trekking due east from the Shira Plateau, passing through the ‘Garden
of the Senecios’ which also features many giant lobelias. The landscape rapidly becomes
desert-like as you approach Lava Tower and the Shark’s Tooth formation at 4,600 meters.
You will have lunch at Lava Tower before joining the Southern Circuit trail (see map above)
which descends to Barranco Camp 3,900 meters where you will spend the night at a very
similar elevation as the night before. Climbing high and sleeping low is a good way to
acclimatise the body to altitude.
 Distance: ~11km / 7 miles
 Trekking time: 5-7 hours
 Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone

On day 5 you will be presented with the relatively steep Barranco ‘Breakfast’ climb, a 257
meter scramble up the Barranco Wall. Be prepared to use all four limbs as you traverse the
wall to the top of the Karanga Valley. From here you will follow a path that sojourns through
many inclines and declines to Karanga Camp (3,960 meters). For those on an eight day hike,
this will be your camp for the night. Six and seven day trekkers will stop here for a brief
lunch before continuing on through the barren desert landscape that leads to the Mweka trail
and up to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). At Barafu you will have an early dinner and then ‘hit
the sack’ for some much needed rest before your summit attempt which begins at midnight.
Please make sure that you have organised all your gear for the summit. You will be awoken in
the dark and searching for your headlamp or camera at this time is not a good way to start
your summit attempt.
 Distance: ~9.5km / 6 miles
 Trekking time: 8-10 hours
 Zone: High alpine zone

The day starts as all others, with an early morning start and a breakfast. After several
hours of hiking through a seemingly martian landscape, you will reach the Barafu hut. This
is the last place you will sleep before making your ascent! You will feel the excitement in
the air; this area is cold, barren, and exposed, so be careful and do not walk around your tent at night unless you are already familiar with the nearest area. After dinner and
briefing, you will try to go to bed around 7 pm and rest for several hours. Around 11:30 pm /
midnight, you will awake to embark on the moment you’ve been waiting for: the ascent to
Uhuru peak at 5895 meters.
• Duration of hike: ~4-5 hours
• Environment: Rocky Desert

Rising at 11:30 / midnight, you will have some hot tea and biscuits ready for you, as a final comforting pep snack before your ascent. Hiking in the dark, you will follow your
northwesternly pointed headlamps up heavy scree, towards Stella point on the crater rim. Although the hike takes 6 hours, you may find the lack of sunlight and your own fixation on the light in front of you, to be hypnotizing. But don’t be fooled, this is for many climbers the
most mentally and physically challenging part of the hike. However, if you persevere, you
will reach Stella point, and weather permitting, will see the most majestic sunrise in your life: the sunrise over the roof of Africa. From there, you will continue to Uhuru peak, which usually takes 2 more hours. Congratulations on your summit! Depending on the weather, you may stay for some time at the peak of your journey for photographs, but it is not advisable to stay long. After taking in the sights and reveling in your achievement, you will begin your descent back to Barafu which takes around 3 hours. While the porters prepare for the journey down.

• Duration of hike: ~8 hours to Uhuru, ~7-8 hours descent to Mweka Camp
• Distance: ~7 km ascent, ~23 km descent
• Environment: Stone Scree / Ice

After a hot breakfast and a peaceful night’s sleep, you will leisurely walk towards the
mountain gate. Eyes peeled for fluffy black and white colobus monkeys as you reach the lower elevations. The weather here will be significantly warmer making the terrain wet and muddy so have your gaiters and trekking poles handy
From there, a bus will be waiting to transfer you to the hotel in arusha, where you will be sure to be smiling as you celebrate your very rare achievement!

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast to mark the end of a remarkable trip and then head back to the airport, or continue you adventure in Tanzania.

Mount Kilimanjaro is more than just Africa’s tallest peak—it’s a journey through diverse ecosystems, cultures, and personal transformation. Here’s why it belongs on your bucket list:

1. Stand on the Roof of Africa
At 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Reaching Uhuru Peak is a humbling, exhilarating experience that few ever forget.

2. Trek Through Five Distinct Climate Zones
The Lemosho Route offers a scenic and varied ascent, taking you through lush rainforest, heath, moorland, alpine desert, and icy arctic summit. Every day is a new landscape—like walking through a world in miniature.

3. Best Route for Acclimatization & Scenic Views
The 8-day Lemosho Route gives trekkers more time to acclimate, increasing summit success rates. It’s also considered one of the most beautiful routes, offering panoramic vistas and fewer crowds.

4. Safe, Non-Technical Climb
Kilimanjaro requires no ropes or climbing gear. With the support of professional guides and porters, anyone with reasonable fitness can reach the summit—even without prior climbing experience.

5. Connect with Local Culture
Along the way, you’ll interact with warm, welcoming local guides and porters from the Chagga and other Tanzanian communities. Their stories, songs, and spirit are as inspiring as the mountain itself.

6. Personal Growth & Achievement
Every step is a challenge—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Climbing Kilimanjaro isn’t just a trek, it’s a test of perseverance, a journey of self-discovery, and an unforgettable adventure.

???? Clothing (Layering is Essential)

Base Layers (Moisture-Wicking):

• 2–3 thermal tops (synthetic or merino wool)

• 2–3 thermal leggings

Mid Layers (Insulation):

• 2 fleece or soft-shell jackets

• 1 down or synthetic insulated jacket (very warm for summit night)

Outer Layers (Protection):

• Waterproof, breathable jacket (Gore-Tex or similar)

• Waterproof trousers

Trekking Clothes:

• 2–3 pairs of hiking pants

• 3–5 breathable t-shirts or trekking shirts

• 1–2 pairs of trekking shorts (optional)

• Warm trekking gloves (plus inner liner gloves)

• Warm hat and sun hat

• Neck gaiter or Buff (for dust and warmth)

Footwear:

• High-quality waterproof hiking boots (broken in)

• Comfortable camp shoes or sandals

• 4–6 pairs of moisture-wicking hiking socks

• 2–3 pairs of liner socks (optional, for layering)

Essentials:

• Daypack (20–35L) with rain cover

• Large duffel bag (up to 15kg/33lbs, carried by porters)

• Sleeping bag (rated to -10°C to -20°C / 14°F to -4°F)

• Sleeping mat (usually provided, but check with your tour operator)

Accessories:

• Trekking poles (adjustable, shock-absorbing recommended)

• Headlamp with extra batteries

• Water bottles (2–3L total capacity) or hydration bladder

• Sunglasses with UV protection

• Quick-dry towel

• Dry bags or zip-locks (for organizing and waterproofing ge

Personal Medications:

• Prescription medications

• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen (for pain and altitude headaches)

• Anti-nausea tablets

• Anti-diarrheal (e.g., Imodium)

• Antibiotic (e.g., azithromycin – consult your doctor)

• Malaria prophylaxis (consult your doctor for guidance)

• Diamox (acetazolamide) for altitude sickness – only with medical advice

• Basic first-aid kit (band-aids, blister pads, antiseptic)

• Hand sanitizer & biodegradable wipes

• Lip balm with SPF

• Sunscreen (SPF 30+)

• Water purification tablets or filter (optional but useful)

• Camera or GoPro with spare batteries

• Power bank (no charging on the mountain)

• Journal & pen

• Snacks (energy bars, trail mix, candy for summit day)

• Lightweight book or e-reader

• Small garbage bag (Leave No Trace!)

???? Overall Difficulty: 6/10 – Challenging

The Machame Route is a non-technical but demanding high-altitude trek that requires good physical fitness and mental endurance. Known for its scenic beauty and better acclimatization profile, it’s a favorite among climbers aiming for a higher summit success rate.

Category	Rating (1–10)	Notes

Physical Fitness

6/10

Long hiking days with steep sections; ideal for those with good fitness.

Altitude Acclimatization

7/10

Good profile with climb high/sleep low strategy; altitude sickness still possible.

Technical Skill

2/10

No climbing skills required; it’s a walk-up route.

Trail Conditions

5/10

Varies from rainforest mud to rocky ridges and alpine desert.

Weather Conditions

6/10

Cold nights and unpredictable weather near the summit.

• Duration: 6–7 days on the mountain

• Highest Point: Uhuru Peak – 5,895 m (19,341 ft)

• Distance: ~62 km (37 miles)

• Success Rate: ~85–90% (7-day itinerary)

• Best Season: December–March, June–October

• First-time high-altitude trekkers with strong fitness

• Adventure seekers looking for scenic variety

• Trekkers who prefer a well-paced route with a good chance of summit success