Machame Route
7 days—The Machame is amongst the most popular routes for climbing Kilimanjaro
$1674-1824 USD
pp
Safari summary
The trail passes through a variety of terrain, from lush rainforest to alpine desert, and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Machame`s thick forested moors-land is much conducive and better for acclimatizing whereby, besides its scenic vistas you also have a one-hour advantage on the summit night and you get to see ¾ of the mountain images from Machame. It is a scenic and challenging route that typically takes 6-7 days to complete. The descent from Kibo takes you to the Mweka Millenium campsite for the overnight before exiting through the rainforest then Mweka gates, where you will be awarded with your certificates of achievement and then driven back to your hotel.
Day 0:
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be met by a Above Kilimanjaro Expeditions representative and transferred to Moshi at the hotel of your destination. A briefing will be conducted in the morning at the hotel to prepare you for the climb ahead. You will also get the chance to meet with the crew before you start the climb.
About this tour
| Tour type | Custom, tailor-made, private | |
| Main focus | Hiking | trekking | |
| Activity level | Strenuous activity | |
| Best months | All months | |
| Countries | ||
| Parks |
Fine details
Safari highlights
- Hiking | trekking
What’s included?
- Accommodation
- Airport transfers
- Meals
- Park fees
- Private vehicle and driver
What’s not included?
- Alcoholic beverages
- All drinks
- Hot air balloons
- Internal flights
- International flights
- Laundry
- Premium alcoholic beverages
- Spa treatments
- Tips and gratuities
- Visas
Itinerary
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Kilimanjaro
DAY 1 Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft Distance: 11 km Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Rain Forest The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
Camping accommodation available at all camps.
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Kilimanjaro
DAY 2 Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft Distance: 5 km Hiking Time: 4-6 hours Habitat: Moorland After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
Camping accommodation available at all camps.
Shira Camp-Lava Tower-Barranco
Kilimanjaro
DAY 3 Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft Distance: 10 km Hiking Time: 6-8 hours Habitat: Semi Desert From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft.
Camping accommodation available at all camps.
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
DAY 4 Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft Distance: 5 km Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
Camping accommodation available at all camps.
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Kilimanjaro
DAY 5 Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft Distance: 4 km Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position
Camping accommodation available at all camps.
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
DAY 6 Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft) Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent Habitat: Arctic Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
Camping accommodation available at all camps.
Mweka Camp to Moshi
Kilimanjaro
DAY 7 Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft Distance: 10 km Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Rain Forest After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.
Camping accommodation available at all camps.
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