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Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route

MACHAME ROUTE, TREKKING

6 or 7 Days

TREKKER TIPS

Which Route is the Best?

Factors considered are summit success rate, terrain, acclimatisation and safety. We rank Machame and Lemosho route the best followed by Rongai and Marangu.

Is there any medical check needed?

No check-up on arrival. Climbers should seek medical fitness pass from his/her medical practitioner before deciding on trekking Kilimanjaro.

What do I need to Prepare?

Preparation is vital. We have a complete list of everything you need to carry for the tour. Our travel expert will make you have preparation checklist at fingers tips.

How About Internet Access?

Tanzania government has recently installed a high speed internet on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, however we provide no guarantee to connectivity.

OVERVIEW

The second most popular trail of mount Kilimanjaro after Lemosho. Also known as the Whiskey route, the trail offers a perfect view of the oldest peak of Shira standing at 3962m above sea level. Climbers gain elevation faster trekking on this route than any other route except Umbwe, leading to a summit success rate of 95%. Our quality mountain service and a team of qualified guides have always made sure we attain 98% and above summit success rate.

There are 2 main itineraries for this route, 6 and 7 days all starting at Machame gate. Eventually, on a third day, this route converges with Lemosho and the unpopular route of Umbwe.

PROGRAMS

6-DAYS MACHAME CLIMB

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

 

DAY 2 FACTS

Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft

Distance: 5km/3miles

Walking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

After breakfast, we leave Shira Plateau and head east along a ridge towards the peak of Kibo.  As we continue, our direction changes South East towards the Lava Tower, – a 300ft tall volcanic rock formation.  Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction which takes us to the Arrow Glacier. Finally, we head on to the Barranco Camp. Although not much elevation has been achieved, this day is very extremely important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

 

DAY 3 FACTS

Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 3950m/13,000ft

Distance: 10km/6miles

Walking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and take a steep ridge up to the Barranco Wall (elevation 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (4050m/13,250ft) to a junction which connects with the Mweka Trail where we are going to have lunch. Then after lunch, we continue to the Barafu Camp. At the camp, we will have an early dinner as we prepare for the summit.

 

DAY 4 FACTS

Elevation: 3950m/13,000ft to 4673m/15,350ft

Distance: 9 km/5.6miles

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Habitat: Heath, Moorland/Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

It’s summit night and you will be woken up between 12 to 2 am to take a light breakfast. You will start your hike to the summit. You’ll be feeling nervous and excited, but we take it slow and head on through Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Taking north-west direction and ascending through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mental and physical part of the Trek, some people may feel really tired and want to quit here, but our guides will always be there to motivate you.  Finally, reaching Stella Point, we will stop for a short rest to watch a magnificent sunrise.

From Stella Point, you may encounter snow on 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak, congratulations you have now reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

From the summit, we descend straight down to Barafu camp for resting and lunch.  After that, we head to Mweka Camp and enjoy a celebratory evening on the mountain.

 

DAY 5 FACTS

Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 4673/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Distance: 5km/3miles

Hiking Time: 6-7 hours

Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp

Elevation: 5895m/19,341ft to 3000m/10,150ft

Distance: 13km/8miles  

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Arctic, Alpine Desert, Moorland

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

After breakfast we continue to descent down to Mweka Gate. Once you get to the gate and signing out, you will meet your team and you can now say goodbye to your mountain team before being transferred to hotel. After checking in the hotel, your guide will present you with your summit certificate

DAY 6 FACTS

Elevation: 3000m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest

Meals: Breakfast

WHAT MAKES IT 7-DAYS

On 4th day instead of going straight to Barafu Camp, which is a more long hike for the day, we cut short to Karanga Camp.

7-DAYS MACHAME CLIMB

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

 

DAY 2 FACTS

Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft

Distance: 5km/3miles

Walking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

After breakfast, we leave Shira Plateau and head east along a ridge towards the peak of Kibo.  As we continue, our direction changes South East towards the Lava Tower, – a 300ft tall volcanic rock formation.  Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction which takes us to the Arrow Glacier. Finally, we head on to the Barranco Camp. Although not much elevation has been achieved, this day is very extremely important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

 

DAY 3 FACTS

Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 3950m/13,000ft

Distance: 10km/6miles

Walking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

After breakfast, we leave Barranco camp and continue along a steep ridge up to the Barranco Wall. We then head through the Karanga Valley and join the Mweka trail.

 

DAY 5 FACTS

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft

Distance: 5km/3mi

Climbing Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

After breakfast, we take a slow and steady pace to Barafu Camp. 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.

 

DAY 4 FACTS

Elevation: 3950m/13,000ft to 4673m/15,350ft

Distance: 9 km/5.6miles

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Habitat: Heath, Moorland/Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

It’s summit night and you will be woken up between 12 to 2 am to take a light breakfast. You will start your hike to the summit. You’ll be feeling nervous and excited, but we take it slow and head on through Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Taking north-west direction and ascending through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mental and physical part of the Trek, some people may feel really tired and want to quit here, but our guides will always be there to motivate you.  Finally, reaching Stella Point, we will stop for a short rest to watch a magnificent sunrise.

From Stella Point, you may encounter snow on 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak, congratulations you have now reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

From the summit, we descend straight down to Barafu camp for resting and lunch.  After that, we head to Mweka Camp and enjoy a celebratory evening on the mountain.

DAY 5 FACTS

Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 4673/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Distance: 5km/3miles

Hiking Time: 6-7 hours

Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp

Elevation: 5895m/19,341ft to 3000m/10,150ft

Distance: 13km/8miles  

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Arctic, Alpine Desert, Moorland

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

After breakfast we continue to descent down to Mweka Gate. Once you get to the gate and signing out, you will meet your team and you can now say goodbye to your mountain team before being transferred to hotel. After checking in the hotel, your guide will present you with your summit certificate

DAY 6 FACTS

Elevation: 3000m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6miles

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest

Meals: Breakfast

PACKAGE

  • Package Inclusions
  • Travel Handbook

Included in Package

Airport Pick up and drop off

Pre and Post Trek Hotel accommodation 

Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees, and taxes

Q-4 season mountain tents

Transportation to and from the mountain gate

Professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters

3 meals per day whilst on the mountain

Filtered water throughout the trek

Excluded in Package

International flights
Traveler’s insurance
VISA
Drinks outside safari
Tipping (we recommend from $10 per person per day)

TOUR GALLERY

OUR SAFARI TOURS

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