7 Days Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climbing

Kilimanjaro

Excellent

Duration

Daily Tour

Tour Type

Kilimanjaro Trekking

Group Size

6 People

Languages

Any Language

Overview

The Machame route is one of the most beautiful routes to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro. The climb takes 7 days but 9 days on the mountain are recommended for acclimatization.This include the day you arrive and departure

Itinerary

Day 1 Machame Gate (1790m) – Machame Camp (3010m)

The Kilimanjaro National Park gate is only a 45-minute drive from your hotel. You will be picked up after breakfast and make your way there for the start of your climb. Once you have arrived your guide will get started with the formalities (entrance forms) while you observe all the different teams and mountain crew getting ready for their expedition. It’s always a fascinating experience for clients to watch them load all the different items for the trip. As soon as everything is prepared your adventure will begin. The destination for today will be the Machame Camp which you should reach in about 5 – 6 hours. On route you will experience a wonderful rainforest with ancient trees, primeval ferns, liana & lichen to mention but a few. Another favourite to look out for on this day is the black and white thumbless colobus monkeys. Once you arrive at your campsite for the night you have time to relax before enjoying a well deserve dinner prepared by our own cook.

Day 2: Machame Camp (3010m) – Shira Camp (3845m)

Although today is a shorter stretch then yesterday you will still have an early start which will allow you to reach today’s destination around mid-afternoon. The landscape changes dramatically from the green mountain rainforest into moor and heath land. You will have a beautiful view of the mountain range from your campsite which is situated at the Shira Plateau. The glacier of Kibo also lights up as the sun sets for the evening.

Day 3: Shira Camp (3845m) – Lava Tower Hut (4640m) – Barranco Camp (3960m)​​​​​​​

Today is a good day for the body to acclimatise for the days to follow. You will climb roughly 700m but will sleep on a level not much higher than the night before. We will start at Shira Plateau and make our way up to Lava Tower at around 4640m, after a rest we will continue through the Barranco Valley until we reach our destination for the day the beautiful Barranco Camp. Today’s trek will be approximately 6 – 7 hours, during which time you will experience the alpine desert as well as the Barranco Valley with its small lobelia plants and giant senecio’s. You will sit down for a well-deserved dinner before it’s time to rest in preparation for the next day.

Day 4 Barranco Camp (3960m) – Karanga Camp (4035m)​​​​​​​

Just after breakfast we concur the famous Barranco Wall. You might need your hands once in a while for better grip, but with that being said, there are no climbing passages, and as safety is very important please listen to our guides who will ensure you get to the top safely. There will be a lot of ascents and descents today followed by a walk along the mountain ridge. This will reward you will a great view of the glacier of Kibo. Walking time today will be 3 – 4 hours with the Kibo summit all the time on your left accompanying you to your camp for the night.

Day 5 Karanga Camp (4035m) – Barafu Camp (4640m)

Barafu Camp is our destination for today and will be reach after 3-4 hours. Most of this time you will be walking through the moon-like alpine dessert. After a satisfying dinner you will have an early night and a good rest. The highlight of your trip is now only some hours away.

Day 6 Barafu Camp (4640m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m)

This will be the toughest but also the most rewarding day. We will wake up very very early, during the night, in order to arrive to the peak at sunrise. This will just be a 5 kilometers hike but due to the altitude and steepness (1186 meters ascent) it will take 6 to 7 hours to do. When you reach the summit, you will be at 5986 meters and have the best views of your entire life. You will never in your life forget this moment and it will make you a better person.
After some time at the summit, we’ll start our descent to Mweka. Again, we’ll walk for 5 to 7 hours, for a total of 12 kilometers, in order to sleep at a much more comfortable altitude of 3096 meters. Dinner/Overnight at Mweka Camp.

DAY 7: Mweka – Mweka Village – Arusha

In our last day, we’ll have a 3/4 hours hike of 10 kilometers (to an altitude of 1600 meters) before driving to  Kilimanjaro airport or Arusha

Group price

2 person 3 persons  4-5 persons 6-8 persons 9 persons +  
$2000 $1720 $1700 $1700 $1700

 


What's Includes

  • Professional English speaking guide
  • Personal porter
  • Kilimanjaro Trekking Tour according to the travel plan description
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Return transfer from Arusha to the National Park Gate
  • Overnight stay in tents according to travel plan
  • All national park fees

What’s not included

  • Sleeping bag
  • accommodation in Arusha on the first & last day
  • Meals not indicated in the tour description
  • Alcohol and soft drinks (coke, mineral water etc.)
  • Visa fees
  • Tips
  • Personal spending for souvenirs etc.
  • Travel insurance