7 Days Mountain Kilimanjaro via Machame Route (Whiskey route)

After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro. At the gate your crew finalize packing and after finishing with formalities you start of from Machame gate. Today’s hiking is through verdant afro-montane forest to Machame camp and on route you have a picnic lunch. Look out for pretty endemic flora and a graduation of forest zones! Overnight Machame Camp (full board).

From Machame camp you hike to Shira Camp. The first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly. A picnic lunch is taken on trail today. The zone you pass through today is known as the heath zone where attractive helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys. Overnight Shira Camp (full board).

The route now turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m). This is definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for dinner.

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Distance: Around 5 kilometers Habitat: Alpine desert After a hearty breakfast, it's time to tackle the Great Barranco Wall! While the Wall may initially seem daunting, hikers often find this Class 2 route to be easier than expected. Once you reach the top, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. From there, the trail meanders through the Karanga Valley, with a series of gentle ups and downs. This hike is perfect for acclimatization, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience.

Hiking Time: 2-3 hours Distance: Around 4 kilometers Habitat: Alpine desert After breakfast, you'll depart from Karanga Camp (3959m) and follow a trail that intersects with the Mweka Route, which is used for the descent in the final two days. After about an hour of hiking, you'll reach Barafu Hut, the last water stop for porters, as there is no water available at Barafu Camp (4550m). The name "Barafu" means "ice" in Swahili, and this camp sits on a rocky, exposed ridge. Given the windy and rocky conditions, it’s important to get familiar with the campsite before nightfall. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before the summit attempt later that night. Your guide will provide detailed instructions on how to prepare for summit night. Be sure to get some rest by 19:00!

You will rise around 23:30, and after some tea and biscuits, you'll begin your journey into the night. Heading north-west, you'll ascend through the steep scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers, this 6-hour stretch to Stella Point is both mentally and physically the toughest part of the route. Once you reach Stella Point (5685m), you'll take a short rest and be rewarded with an unforgettable sunrise (weather permitting). From there, you'll continue your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, where you'll encounter snow along the way. The time you spend at the summit will depend on weather conditions, but be mindful not to linger too long, as the cold and fatigue will make it difficult to continue. Take in the incredible achievement and the unforgettable experience. The descent back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours, where you'll have a well-deserved but brief rest before collecting the rest of your gear for a Descent to Mweka Camp

Hiking Time: 4 hours Distance: Approximately 15 km Habitat: Forest After enjoying a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will celebrate with a lively ceremony filled with dancing and singing. This is the moment to present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chefs, and porters. Once the celebration concludes, you'll begin your 3-hour descent back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign in and receive certificates of completion. Those who reached Stella Point (5685m) will receive green certificates, while those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) will receive gold certificates. Afterward, you'll make your way to Mweka Village, where you'll walk for about 1 hour (3 kilometers). There, a hot lunch will be served before you head back to Arusha for long-awaited showers and further celebrations. Finally, you will be dropped off at your hotel in Arusha or Moshi.