The Whiskey Route
On the mountain you will be staying overnight at tented campsites.
Tour Package Overview
This is one of the most popular routes to take when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. This is because it is a very scenic route while also being more budget friendly than some of the longer hikes. As such, the traffic on this route is denser than others.
Known as the whisky route, the journey is a little harder than other routes (such as the Marangu route) however the success rate is higher! Although it is possible to climb this route in 6 days, the extra day give you an even higher chance of summiting, as such it is definitely worth an extra day on the mountain.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Machame Route/Western Breach
Day By Day
Day 0 :
Arrival In Tanzania : Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. On arrival in Tanzania we will transfer roughly 1 hour to your hotel in Moshi town. You`ll have a short time to freshen up, and then have a briefing. Your guide will give you a briefing and ensure that you have all the gear/kits required for the trip. If you are missing essential equipment it can be rented for very cheap prices.
Our briefings will give you a clear view of the days to come from your personal guide and CEO, also you will be told your exact crew numbers and make up as well as get a chance to ask any questions.
Park View Hotel (Bed & Breakfast): Possibility to upgrade to more luxurious accommodation (at an extra cost) or downgrade to more economic options (price reduction).
Meals : Bed & Breakfast (Dinner not included)
Day 1
Moshi Town To Machame Gate to Machame Camp :
Your trek to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro will start at the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gates. Here you will meet you guide and porters, who will be your family for the next week. When your registers, packed and ready to go, your guide will lead you through a winding trail through the rainforest to your first camp, Machame Camp, where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Elevation: 3,000 m
Hiking Distance : 9km
Walking Time: 5 to 7 Hrs
Habitat : Mountain forest, Heather and Moorland Zone
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 2
Machame Camp To Shira Camp :
After an early morning breakfast, you will begin your ascent out of the rainforest and into the heather moorland zone. You will cross many streams and walk over a plateau that leads to Shira 2 Camp (3840m). At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and its glaciers in the East. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.
Elevation: 3,500 m
Walking Distance: 7 KM
Walking Time: 6 to 7 HRS
Habitat : Moorland Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3
Shira Camp To Lava Tower Camp :Today’s trek is shorter than yesterday’s, though your overall gain in height is modest. Starting at 3800 meters, by the time you reach camp this afternoon you will only be 760 meters higher, finish you climb up to the base of the famous Lava Tower at 4627 meters. Your acclimatization would bring you a lot of benefits. The distance is around 5 kms which can be covered up within 5 hours excluding the breaks on the way. Once again, your day will begin with breakfast at 08.00 and departure at 09.00, when you begin your trek across the stony landscape of Shira Plateau.
You would experience the sparse vegetation here at first with just a few hardy lichens to admire. During your climb towards the Lava Tower, your picnic lunch is taken at 13.00 high point of the day. Dinner tonight is served at 19.00
Elevation: 3800 m
Walking Distance: 5KM
Walking Time: 4-5 Hrs
Habitat : Alpine Desert Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4
Lava Tower Camp to Arrow Glacier Camp:
Today you are back to your early 08.00 breakfast time and 08:30 departure. Distance will be around 5km; you climb from 4553 meters to approximately 4846 meters. Today altitude is perfect opportunity for acclimatization, but the terrain is steep, with a few scramble sections to get over the Great Barranco Wall.
The scenery today changes to the predominantly Alpine desert. You retire to your tents after lunch, in order to prepare for our biggest day, climbing the Western Breach and dinner at about 19.00.
Elevation: 4846 m
Walking Distance: 7 km
Walking Time: 4 to 5 Hours
Habitat : Alpine desert Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5
Arrow Glacier Camp to Crater Camp :
The starting time this morning will be dependent on the previous day's guides assessment of the weather, temperature, ice and snowfall conditions. All ascents are relatively early to avoid the part of the day when significant thawing occurs. Ascent to the crater floor takes around 4 to 6 hours and a picnic refuel stop is taken near the top of the breach wall. Once on the crater floor there is time to rest and for those that are feeling strong a hike to the ash pit is a superb option.
Elevation: 5750 M
Walking Distance: 3 km
Walking Time: 6-8 Hrs
Habitat : Arctic Alpine Desert Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6
Crater Camp To Uhuru Peak, Down To Mweka Camp:
Unlike other routes with a night time ascent, your hike selection affords you a day time ascent to the summit. Leaving an hour before dawn you ascend to the Roof of Africa! From here you descend to Mweka Camp for the evening. Dinner and overnight Mweka Camp. Alt. 3,100m,10,171ft (full board).
Elevation: Up 5895m, Down 3100m
Walking Distance: Approx. 7 Km ascent and 23 Km descent
Walking Time: 8 hrs to reach Uhuru Peak, 7-8 hrs to descend to Mweka
Habitat : Stone scree and Ice-capped summit Learn More
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi :
After a well-deserved breakfast, it is a short, scenic, 3-hour hike back to the park gate. Don't give your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely, but do remember to tip your staff at the gate. At Mweka Gate, you can sign your name and add details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down to the Mweka Village, possibly a muddy, 3 km, 1 hour hike if the road is too muddy for vehicles. In the Mweka Village you will be served a delicious hot lunch after which you are driven back to Moshi for an overdue hot shower and comfortable night at your hotel in Moshi.
Park View Hotel (Bed & Breakfast): Possibility to upgrade to more luxurious accommodation (at an extra cost) or downgrade to more economic options (price reduction).
Meals : Bed & Breakfast (Dinner not included)
Day 8 :
Departure Date/Flight Day :
A long and short safari, Zanzibar holiday or Mafia island adventure can be arranged right after your trek or at the beginning of your trek with us. If you wish to explore round Moshi Town and visit some of it's local attractions and people, you'll need to spend another overnight. We have put together a list of Moshi destinations. View Them Here
If not, You will be transfered to the airport ready for you flight back home or onward to your next destination.
No Accommodation : Check-out time is 10:30am
Meals : Breakfast (Lunch & Dinner not included)
