7 Days Machame Route
Overview
Embarking on the Kilimanjaro adventure via the Machame Route offers a journey that transforms both body and spirit. Trekking through a tapestry of lush rainforests, expansive plateaus, and challenging terrain, each day unveils new wonders while testing your inner strength. From the towering trees of Machame Camp to the panoramic vistas of Shira Camp and the thrilling ascent of the Barranco Wall, every step brings you closer to the summit. Standing triumphantly at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, becomes an unparalleled achievement. Descending through diverse landscapes, from the stark alpine desert to the vibrant lushness of the rainforest, marks the completion of an unforgettable odyssey, leaving you forever changed by the journey’s challenges and triumphs.
Plan Trip
Day 0: Arrival At JRO Airport Transfer To Moshi / Arusha
You will be met at the International Airport of Kilimanjaro by our representative. After short introduction you will be offered bottle of mineral water then be transferred direct to your hotel for an overnight. Our Kilimanjaro team will meet you at the hotel to brief you on your upcoming trek and check your equipment. Meal plan: Bed, and Breakfast Included.
Day 1: Arusha To Machame Gate (1490M) To Machame Camp (2980)
Today after breakfast, leave the hotel and drive to Machame gate. After paper work at the gate, start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very foggy, muddy and slippery experience. You will have a welcome lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon. Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will have your tent set up on your arrival. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can drop to freezing at this Machame campsite. Be prepared for this. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Day 2: Machame Camp (2980M) - Shira Camp (3840)
You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast climb an hour or so to the top of the forest. Next there will be a 2-hour gentle uphill gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction. This will be a view of the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite at 840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, and then serve dinner. The night at this exposed camp will be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Day 3: Shira (3840M) - Lava Tower (4630M) - Barranco Camp (3950)
The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding the “Lava Tower” where you reach an altitude of 4630m after a 5-hour walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m). This will be the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point where some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. After lunch you descend almost 680m to the Barranco camping. As this camping area is lower than the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, you will experience acclimation benefits. This is a proven method to help climbers adjust to the altitude of Kilimanjaro. The 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 could provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp site. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3950M) - Karanga Camp (4550M)
After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall, you will proceed to make your way up this awesome looking obstacle. Hikers find that in the end this normally turns out easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley crossing the last water point over intervening ridges and valleys and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, Overnight at Karanga Valley Camp. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Day 5: Karanga Valley To Barafu Camp
After breakfast at the Karanga valley camp, you will walk a ridge and enter a cold desert for about 4 hours and then reach the Barafu Hut. Crews will collect water from the last water stop at Karanga Valley in morning, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” as it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents as this is a dangerous area. The summit is now 1345m above you, and you will make the final ascent tonight. Prepare your equipment, ski stick, and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. Make sure and replace the batteries in your headlamp and camera and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing, it would be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed around 7 PM and try to get some good. Try not to sleep more than 5 hours. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Day 7: Mweka Camp (3100M) - Mweka gate (1980M)
After Hot breakfast from in Mweka Campsite you will start walking slowly towards the mountain gate the walk takes about 3hours to get to the Mweka campsite where our driver will pick you and transfer you to Kilimanjaro Airport or to Arusha.
Departure
Today at leisure depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
- included
- Airport Transfer: Pickup and transfer to Parkview Inn or Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel
- Mountain Crew: Professional team with fair wages as per KINAPA and KIATO standards
- Permits and Fees: Kilimanjaro National Park permits and camping/hut fees
- Meals and Equipment: 3 daily meals, modern tents, warm sleeping pads, first aid kit, and group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery, cutlery)
- Optional Facilities: Portable flush toilets available upon request
- Post-Climb: Meeting at the park exit, transfer to hotel, accommodation after the climb, international ascent certificates
- Return Transfer: Transfer back to Kilimanjaro Airport
- excluded
- Flight tickets
- Visa fees
- Personal gear rental
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry services
- Tips for the mountain crew