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Kilimanjaro – Machame Route

On the most beautiful route to one of the Seven Summits

Whiskey-Cola? No, whiskey or cola – the Kilimanjaro demands a decision! Two popular routes on Africa’s highest mountain are also called this way. One is the easier and more comfortable Marangu Route (Coca Cola Route) and the other is the Machame Route (Whiskey Route). The latter is for those looking for a little adventure. Steeper routes, longer distances and only overnight stays in tents on the mountain.

But at the same time the Machame climbers also receive a generous reward for their greater efforts: impressive sunsets in the Shiraz Camp at over 3,800m above sea level. The view from the Barranco Wall to the foggy Kibo. Encounters with loud, lively groups of baboons and brave mongooses (not lobsters, but small predators known from the jungle book).

The route takes us through different vegetation zones and the closer we get to the summit, the colder, drier and more lifeless Mother Earth becomes. Tropical rainforests, deserts and glaciers. The ascent is like a journey from the equator to Antarctica. A wonderful memory of the diversity of our nature.

The Machame Route has earned its reputation as the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro!

The Machame route can generally be completed in 6 days, but we recommend the 7-day tour, with the extra day at the Lava Tower. This somewhat longer route offers the best form of altitude adjustment and therefore the best chance to stand on the summit of the 5.895m high Uhuru Peak.

Adventure Factor spirited
Experience / Emotion mindblowing
Fitness / Struggle enjoy
Risk very low
Comfort expedition style/cottage

Highlights:

  • Ascent via the most beautiful of all routes – the Machame Route
  • Slow ascent over 7 days for optimal acclimatization
  • High camp equipment, porters, guide
  • Safari or Zanzibar extension optional
  • free choice of date – even for solo travellers
  • Partner at KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project)

On request, we will also be happy to put together a personal offer for the other routes!

Trip dates:

Booking code:-
Minimum members:-
Price per person: 0

The following schedule is planned:

Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania

Day 1: Arrival in Moshi
Pick up at the airport and arrive comfortably at the hotel, where you will get to know your guide an enjoy a nice dinner.
Hotel; (-/-/D)

Day 2 - Day 8: Trekking

Day 2: Moshi – Machame Gate (1.800m) – Machame Camp (3.100m)
A 1-hour drive takes us to Machame Gate, where we take care of the formats for registration in the National Park. Here also our remaining team joins us, the porters and cooks and the anticipation in the air rises. Then it finally starts! We start our trekking tour along the Makoa brook, which leads us into dense rainforest. In between the path can be a bit muddy and slippery, but we work our way forward and the closer we get to our destination today – Machame Camp – the more the landscape changes towards the alpine moorland.
Trekking: 5-7 hours (h) / 9km / +1,300 meters altitude difference (am); tent; (B/L/D)

Day 3: Machame Camp – Shira Camp (3.840m)
The trail continues northeast towards Shira Camp. Today we really leave the wooded area and climb a steep rocky ridge. After we have overcome this, we are rewarded with the breathtaking view, because only the Kilimanjaro to offer. The wide plains of Africa with Mt. Meru to the west and its beautiful sunsets. Arriving at Shira Camp we will do a small tour to higher areas, which will help us to acclimatize properly.
Trekking: 5-7h / 9km / +740am; tent; (B/L/D)

Day 4: Shira Camp – Barranco Camp (3.950) over the Lava towers
Today’s stage to Barranco Camp is extremely beautiful and begins with a gentle climb towards Kibo (Swahili for the highest mountain in the Kilimanjaro massif – and thus our destination). We reach the prominent rock “Shark’s Tooth” (4.400m), continue south through flat valleys until we reach the “Lava Towers” (4.600m). From there the way leads us back down to Barranco Camp, where we can look forward to great views of the icy “Western Breach” and the “Barranco Wall”. Today contributes again to our acclimatization, as it respects the principle of going up, sleeping low.
Trekking: 6-7h / 11km / +110am; tent; (B/L/D)

Day 5: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp (3.930m)
Today’s trekking is a bit shorter and serves us to get used to the altitude. First we climb the trekking route over the Barranco wall (200hm), which is steep but not too demanding and whose most difficult passages can be overcome on hands and feet. Once we reach the top, we again have great views of the Kibo and the surrounding countryside. The rest of the time a hilly path leads us over some small brooks to the Karanga river, which we cross and finally arrive at today’s destination.
Trekking: 4-5h / 5km / +200am – 220hm; tent; (B/L/D)

Day 6: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp (4.700m)
The already 5th trekking day brings us very close to the highest point of Africa. Today we go uphill in a rocky area – again and again with a view of the southern glacier tongue. We cross the Mweka Route and start another ascent over steep lava rocks, which finally brings us to Barafu Camp. With this we have made the southern circumnavigation of the mountain and were able to view our destination from several angles. The terrain at Barafu Camp is inhospitable, with little vegetation and often even snow-covered – the high altitude sends its greetings. We set up our camp, enjoy a hearty meal and recharge our batteries for tomorrow’s summit day.
Trekking: 2-4h / 4km / +770am; tent; (B/L/D)

Day 7: Barafu Camp – summit (5.895m) – Mweka Camp (3.100m)
The most exhausting day of the whole trip awaits us today, the day we have been working towards all the time, the day when we will be at the highest point of Africa! 23:00 hrs already we wake up with a light snack and warm drinks before we start our 5km trek to the summit. This part will also be the coldest with temperatures between -5°C and -10°C. We first head northwest, following a steeper and steeper valley at the edge of a scree field. Passing the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers we reach Stella Point at 5.672m. From here we can watch the spectacular sunrise. Only one hour later we reach the summit of Uhuru Peak – congratulations! We enjoy this moment we have on the roof of Africa and the joy it brings with it, after which we descend again. We pass Stella Point again and reach Barafu Camp, where we have a short well deserved break. Afterwards a 9km trek (approx. 4-5h) brings us to Mweka Camp at 3.100m. The easy trek has some spectacular vantage points and leads us through the moorland back to the wooded area. We spend our last evening together at Kilimanjaro.
Trekking: ca. 16h / 14km / +1.195am -2.795hm; Tent; (B/L/D)

Day 8: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate (1.800m)
We start our morning with a good breakfast and the cheerful songs of our team. Then we start our last descent towards Mweka Gate. Once there, all the climbers get their certificate, which they can take home as a souvenir of this adventure. In the Mweka Village our transfer back to the hotel awaits us, where we finish our time together at the Kilimanjaro with a hearty dinner and maybe some Kilimanjaro beer.
Trekking: 4-5h / 10km / -1.300am; Hotel; (B/L/D)

Day 9: Transfer to the airport and return flight

Day 9: Time to say goodbye
Breakfast and transfer to the airport. Alternative optional extension options: Varied safari, discover the wildlife of Africa! or relaxing beach holiday on Zanzibar.
(B/-/-)

check_circle_outline  What is Included:

  • Complete organization of the trekking
  • English speaking local mountain guide
  • 2 nights in a good hotel with half board
  • 6 overnight stays in tents
  • Double room basis
  • Meals according to program (half board in Moshi, full board on the mountain)
  • Professional chefs
  • Professional porters (while trekking you’ll only have to carry a light daypack by yourself)
  • Camping equipment
  • max. weight of 18kg per person during the trekking to Kilimanjaro
  • private toilet tent
  • Water during the trek on the mountain
  • All transfers according to program
  • All entrance fees, taxes and duties of the program mentioned in the itinerary (parking fee, etc.)
  • Fair wages for the local crew, approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority

help_outline  Optional:

  • single room supplement
  • Safari or Zanzibar Extension
  • German speaking Furtenbach Adventures IFMGA mountain guide on request

highlight_off  What is not included:

  • international flights (we are happy to make you an offer)
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Personal equipment (sleeping bags, walking sticks, gaiters, etc.)
  • Not listed meals and drinks
  • Visit to the Hot Spring spring
  • Personal expenditures
  • Tips
  • Personal medication
  • All services not explicitly mentioned under “Included services”.

Wildlife Safari

The last part of this wonderful trip is a 3 day safari to the most beautiful national parks in Africa. We spend the night in good hotels and visit the Tarangiri and Lake Manyara National Parks, where with a little luck we can see leopards, lions, hippos and a great birdlife. The highlight of this safari, the Ngorongoro Crater, offers a unique natural spectacle. Elephants, lions, rhinos, zebras, gazelles and antelopes live here side by side like in paradise.

Sansibar Island

The spice island Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean is ideal as an extension for resting and bathing. Enjoy sunny days at the white sandy beach and the coral reef. Arab and Indian influences mixed with Swahili lifestyle and architecture await you. The markets offer a variety of spices and tropical fruits.

info  General

An expedition to high altitudes still presents an enormous challenge despite modern equipment and tactics. Besides technical and fitness requirements, the high altitude still poses the largest hurdle. That is why we place great emphasis on prudent, slow acclimatization (see also FAQ).

Weather and conditions on the mountain can lead to program or route changes. Participation in trekking lies in your own individual responsibility. Furtenbach Adventures assumes no liability for accidents, damages or loss of materials.

If you are not sure that taking part in an expedition like this is the right thing for you, feel free to contact us on Tel +43 512 204134 or e-mail [email protected] for a personal consultation.

This package in general is not suitable for persons with reduced mobility.

Please note that tipping the team at Kilimanjaro is normal and expected. Due to the many necessary team members, the amount of tips is usually higher than for other treks. When booking the tour you will receive more detailed information and guidelines. For the 7-day Machame-Trek, depending on the number of participants, tips of 300 – 450 US$ per person should be calculated.

Note: In this trip, Furtenbach Adventures will act as an intermediary. We reveal the terms and conditions of the tour operator Mauly Tours Plot 4B Boma Rd, Moshi +255 784 884 018 [email protected], whose travel, cancellation and liability conditions are fully met.

language  Entry Requirements

EU or Swiss citizens:

Tanzania:

When entering the country, you need a passport with a validity of at least 6 more months. You must apply online to get a tourist visa for Tanzania: https://visa.immigration.go.tz

We recommend to apply approx. 1,5 months before departure. Information about recommended vaccines and health regulations: http://www.who.int/ith/en/

Important: When entering the country from a yellow fever area (this includes any stopovers of more than 12 hours), it is necessary to present a valid yellow fever vaccination.

Travelers must be able to prove their return or onward ticket when entering the country.

More detailed information regarding entry, visa and health requirements for this travel destination will be provided once you’ve communicated your nationality.

https  Insurance

We strongly recommend taking out a travel insurance (including trip cancellation, interruption, medical and luggage insurance) For this journey, the Global Rescue Signature Travel Insurance is suitable. The price of the insurance depends on the trip and the personal data of the traveller. We happily make you an offer after booking or upon request.

To cover search and rescue costs in the mountains, we ask our expedition participants to take out a “medical only”-membership at Global Rescue. This membership can be concluded here before departure: https://ss.globalrescue.com/partner/furtenbach/. Further information are provided after your booking.

work  Equipment

Unless specified otherwise in the detailed program, all high camp equipment will be provided by us. You need to bring your own personal equipment such as down clothing, expedition shoes, an isolated sleeping mat and a sleeping bag with a comfort range of – 5 degrees celsius. Following your booking we will send you a detailed equipment list. We will be happy to advise you personally during the selection and purchase of required equipment. With years of expedition experience, we know what has proved its worth and what not.

perm_identity  Physical fitness

A key success factor in expeditions is being in good shape. In the weeks before the trekking you should start with frequent training to get used to walking for several hours and familiarize yourself with your equipment and hiking shoes.

local_hospital  Health

We recommend that each participant undergoes a medical examination prior to the expedition. Good health is a prerequisite for participation. Particularly important is a visit to the dentist because previously unnoticed dental problems can become quite acute due to the sudden change in pressure conditions in higher altitudes.

landscape  Experience

We are very familiar with the charm and attraction of an eight-thousander! However, we want to make certain that you can ascend safely, come back alive, and be able to enjoy the expedition while on it and not afterwards. Therefore, in order to participate in our eight-thousander expeditions, you must already have collected some experience at high altitudes and mountaineering. When booking, please let us know which heights you have already reached and which high mountains you have climbed. If you are a newcomer, no problem, we offer a bespoke program aimed to train you for reaching your desired destination.

In order to participate in our seven-and six-thousander expeditions, you should have at least some experience on the four-thousander peaks of the Alps or other mountain ranges. Our offer for newcomers applies here as well, we can train you to become prudent and safe high altitude climbers!

We offer a special introductory weekend for all those who want to learn about – or refresh their knowledge of – all the skills and techniques needed on an expedition. More info here.

payment  Payment

Deposit Payment is made less than eleven months prior to the end of the trip and is a maximum of 20% of the price. The balance must be paid 45 days prior to departure. Please find more information regarding the payment in our GTC.

directions_run Right of withdrawal

The traveller has the right to withdraw from the travel contract at any time by paying the according cancellation fee stated in the General Terms of Conditions of Furtenbach Adventures GmbH.

The following fees apply for cancellations on the part of the client prior to travel:

until 30 days prior to departure………………………….. 30%
29 – 22 days prior to departure…………………………… 40%
21 – 8 days prior to departure……………………………… 70%
7 days prior to departure until day of departure ….. 100% of the tour fee.

The tour operator will be released from the contract if the specified minimum number of participants is not achieved and if the customer has been notified about the cancellation in writing within the following periods: until 20 days prior to departure.