The Machame route, also known as the Whisky Route is one of the most scenic and recommended routes on Kilimanjaro.
We recommend the Machame route as a 7-day tour. This includes an additional acclimatization day, which significantly increases the success of reaching the summit. For experienced and very fit mountain hikers, the 6-day tour is also suitable. On the fourth day of the shortened tour walk directly from the Barranco Camp to the Barafu Camp, as the intermediate stage over the Karanga Camp is omitted.
For those who only have six days to climb Kilimanjaro, the Machame route is the best choice because of its acclimatization profile. Compared to other six-day routes, the Machame route exposes the climber to higher elevations quicker (day three) which kick-starts the body’s adaptation to altitude. However, this route requires that a person be in good shape to be able to tackle the challenging elevation gains and losses.
Arrive in Tanzania via Kilimanjaro International airport (JRO), Ron Adventure’s staff will pick you up and transfer you to Moshi or Arusha town where you will spend the first night at a hotel. Those who will arrive through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Kenya, we will pick you up and get you transferred by Shuttle bus to Moshi/Arusha.
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes but also your raincoats.
This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Change in Elevation: Machame Gate (1,800 M) – Machame Camp (3,010 M)
Hiking Distance: Approximately 5 Km
Hiking Time: 5-6 Hours
Habitat: Rain-forest
After breakfast, you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp (3,845 m). On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Physically speaking, trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 300-meter gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp, you will be served a hot dinner.
Change in Elevation: Machame Camp (3,010 M) – Shira Camp (3,845 M)
Hiking Distance: Approximately 5 Km
Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours
Habitat: Grassland
After breakfast, you will leave Shira 2 Camp (3,900 m) and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1–2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be. Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m).
Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3,900 M) – Lava Tower (4,630 M) – Barranco Camp (3,960 M)
Hiking Distance: Approximately 11 Km
Hiking Time: 6-8 Hours
Habitat: Mountain Grassland
Early wakeup, breakfast, and the start of summiting Barranco Wall (we recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups). Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb, you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.
Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don’t worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours, you will have to complete ascend to Barafu Camp (4,640 m) where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.
Change in Elevation: Barranco Camp (3,960 M) – Barafu Camp (4,640 M)
Hiking Distance: Approximately 11 Km
Hiking Time: 8-10 Hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Departure from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) at night and the start of summiting Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Technically the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude. Each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your physical and mental conditions. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and after a 2-hour rest continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).
Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 M) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 M) – Millennium Camp (3,820 M)
Hiking Distance: Approximately 15 Km
Hiking Time: 8-12 Hours
Habitat: Arctic
After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.
Change in Elevation: Millennium Camp (3,820 M) – Mweka Gate (1,650 M)
Hiking Distance: Approximately 12 Km
Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours
Habitat: Rain-forest
Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.
End of the climb.
Number of Travelers | Cost Per Traveler in US($) |
---|---|
1 Person | $2,020 |
2 People | $2,000 |
3 People | $1,990 |
4 People | $1,960 |
5 People | $1,940 |
6 People | $1,930 |
7 People | $1,920 |
8 People | $1,910 |
9 People | $1,890 |
Above 10 People | $1,870 |
Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed anytime throughout the year. Most travelers prefer climbing during the dry seasons: December to March, June to October. Many consider the best months to climb Kilimanjaro to be January, February, and September.
Your Kilimanjaro dream climb is entirely your own to design. We will work with you to customize exactly the triumphant Tanzanian mountainous quest experience you want. You go with the people you choose. You leave on whatever day you wish. You decide on your preferred route option, pace, and the number of days you will take.
You will need a Single entry visa to enter Tanzania. It costs 100$ for US citizens and 50$ for other nationalities. There are 3 ways to apply it.
1. Apply it online from this link – Official link to apply your visa
2. Get a visa on arrival if you are eligible – Read Eligibility Guidelines
3. Apply through Tanzanian Embassy in your home Country
Climbers are strongly advised to obtain travel insurance immediately after booking their trip.
On most routes, you’ll trek 4-7 hours most days. On certain routes you’ll trek as many as 10-15 hours on the longest days.
We are. We are not agents for anybody, but run the treks ourselves through our own registered Tanzanian local company.
The maximum number of people on the trek is eight. Occasionally this may stretch to nine or ten if, for example, there are already 6 people booked on the trek and a group of four want to join. On the rare occasion where this happens we will contact those already booked on the trek to see if they have any objection to the group size to grow above eight.
We can book a trek for just one person but, as stated above, this will be quite expensive. If you are a solo traveler, therefore, we strongly advise you to join one of the scheduled treks.
As we are charged in US dollars, so all our prices are quoted in US dollars too. However, we are able to accept a wide range of other currencies too including sterling, euros, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, Israeli shekels, Singapore dollars, Indian rupees etc etc
We advise you to spend at least one full day in Tanzania before beginning your trek. Arriving by plane one day and then climbing the next is not the best way to begin a trek.
The guides have been trained in high-altitude medical care. Each trek will also be equipped with a comprehensive first-aid medical kit. The guides also carry oxygen for those people who are suffering from altitude sickness – though this is very much a last resort and the guides are trained to spot altitude sickness before it becomes necessary to use oxygen.
The guides have been trained in high-altitude medical care. Each trek will also be equipped with a comprehensive first-aid medical kit. The guides also carry oxygen for those people who are suffering from altitude sickness – though this is very much a last resort and the guides are trained to spot altitude sickness before it becomes necessary to use oxygen.
Yes, all Tanzania National Park (TANAPA) fees are included in our Kilimanjaro price. Currently, the conservation fees at Kilimanjaro National Park are: US$70 per person per day and US$50 per person per night for camping. Crew entry fees and Tanzanian Forest Services Agency (TFS) fees (applicable for Rongai, Shira and Lemosho routes) are also included in our Kilimanjaro price.
The minimum age limit set by Kilimanjaro National Park for children trekking to Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro is 10 years old.
You will have one lead guide and an assistant guide for 2-3 climbers.
For 4-6 climbers, you will have one lead guide and 2 assistant guides.
For 7-8 climbers, you will have one lead guide and 3 assistant guides.
For 9-10 climbers, you will have one lead guide and 4 assistant guides.
We never rush our trek, instead, we like to take in the views and enjoy the experience. Some trekkers may be slower than others, but with our client-to-guide ratio, we are able to support everyone along the way. Our mantra, “pole pole” (Swahili for “slowly slowly”), reminds us to take our time and ensure that all of our trekkers have the opportunity to enjoy the experience fully.
We can offer a discount for more than 2 people, please enquire at the time of booking.
Highly-trained chefs prepare three hot nutritious meals daily, as well as trail snacks and afternoon tea each day. You’ll eat all your meals in a solar-lit dining tent with your fellow trekkers and head guide. Delicious vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other specialty meals can be provided (with advance request). We’re happy to send you a sample menu—just ask!
Your mountain camps are set up and broken down each day by expert camp porters. You’ll stay in double occupancy all-weather tents with full-ground pads to keep you and your gear dry. Private toilet tents, solar-lit dining tents with tables and chairs, and basins of hot water for washing are provided in every camp. Grand Traverse treks include upgraded solar-lit walk-in-height sleeping tents with mountaineering beds and mattresses for additional comfort.
The treks vary from six to eight days. The exact length of each trek is written on the Trekking dates and prices page. You can, of course, ask for treks that are longer than eight days and we can arrange this for you – though we don’t book treks for less than 6 days as we feel this is too short to allow you to acclimatize properly.
Always remember to maintain a slow, steady pace from beginning to end. Going slowly allows the body to acclimatize while hiking. Those who start out too quickly will have troubles higher up the mountain as the body will be overexerted. This still holds true if you are spending an extra day on the mountain.
It will depend on the route you pick and your pace. It can take from 4-8 hours to reach the summit from the high camp.
A 15% deposit is required at time of booking to hold your Kilimanjaro climb and 30% for your Tanzania safari.
Do not hesitage to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
+255 749 516 344
info@ronadventure.com