7 Days Machame Route

Highlights

The Machame route is one of the most beautiful routes to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro. The climb takes 6 days but 7 days on the mountain are recommended for acclimatization.

Important Details

Medical Check up

During Climbing

Twice a day

> Before Start hike

> Before Dinner

We do check up

Oxygen Pulse (Heart Rate)

Our Aim to see you

> Safe

> Health

Meeting Point

We’ll pick you up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and then transfer you to your hotel in Moshi, Tanzania. You will then stay overnight and in the morning, we’ll drive to the gate where we will start our Kilimanjaro trek. Please note: the hotel and transfers are included in the price.

Availability

January through mid-March
Mid-June through October
December

Duration

7 days, 6 nights + 2 days at hotel

Group size

2 min. – 12 max.

Gear List

Top thermal layer

Bottom thermal layer

1-2 pairs of hiking pants

1 hardshell jacket

1-2 short-sleeved t-shirts

1 pair of warm trekking pants

1-2 long-sleeved hiking shirts

1 softshell insulated winter jacket

4-5 pairs of underwear

1 cozy fleece jacket

1 pair of worn-in sturdy hiking boots

3-4 pairs of socks. Merino wool is recommended

Rain coat

Rain pants

Day backpack

Duffel bag (recommended size 90L)

Sleeping bag

Headlamp

Snacks

Meals

On all of our Kilimanjaro tours, all of our meals are freshly prepared on the mountain by our talented chef, so when we arrive to camp after a long day of hiking, we have a delicious hot meal waiting for us.

Please note: we can accommodate any dietary needs, so please let us know what your meal requirements are and we will be sure to have our chef whip you up something yummy!

Day 1 Arrival in Tanzania – drive to Arusha.

You will be met on time of your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport by our transferring driver who will you will welcome and escort you to the waiting vehicle then drive to The Hotel in Arusha for the rest of the day your trek will start the next day morning. The rest of the day will be spent at the pool relaxing at the hotel or explore the city of Arusha. Your mountain guide will meet you in the evening for briefing on the next morning trek.

Day 2 Trekking Machame Gate 1,800 meter to Machame Camp 2,835 meter.

After breakfast you will be picked up at the Hotel at 01:30 am and drive to Machame entrance gate of mount Kilimanjaro National Park located about two hour’s drive away. At the gate your guide will be busy with the registration forms and porters will be weighing the luggage, you can walk around the entrance gate seeing monkeys or watch the mountain team preparing for the climb and once this is all done, your Kilimanjaro trekking adventure will start. In no time you will be deep within the wonderful mountain rainforest with very old trees, ancient ferns, liana, lichen and moss that carpets the ground and drapes from the trees. You will hear and with a little luck, even spot the beautiful black and white colobus monkeys in the treetops. After a walk of 5 to 6 hours, you will reach the day’s destination – the Machame Camp which is located just above the tree line at 2,835 meter. At the camp, at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro, you will have your first mountain hot dinner followed by an overnight stay in tents.
Accommodation: Machame camp.
Meal Plan: Full Board. 7 Days Machame route.

Day 3 Trekking Machame Camp 2,835 meter to Shira Camp 3,750 meter.

After an early morning breakfast, you will start your second day trekking, the path steepens and the landscape changes into moor- and heath land and the open landscape allows you to see the exciting mountain range. The second day’s destination is shorter than the previous day and you will arrive at the Shira Camp by mid-afternoon. The camp has an incredible view of the mountain and during sunset, the sun lights the rock face and glacier of Kibo.
Accommodation: Shira camp.
Meal Plan: Full Board. 7 Days Machame route.

Day 4 Trekking Shira Camp 3,750 meter to Lava Tower 4,600 meter to Barranco Camp 3,900 meter.

Today you will climb up about 800 meter but you will be camping at an elevation only slightly higher than the previous night. This will allow your body to acclimatise better since you will have relatively altitude. The hike begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower 4,600 meter. The vegetation becomes sparser as the landscape changes to an afro-alpine desert. The route passes through the wide Barranco Valley with its lobelia and giant senecio plants. After a 6 to 7 hours walk, you will arrive at the most stunning camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp.
Accommodation: Barranco camp.
Meal Plan: Full Board. 7 Days Machame route.

Day 5 Trekking Barranco Camp 3,900 meter to Karanga Camp 3,995 meter.

Today the Barranco Wall stands before you to conquer. Some stages will require you to use your hands for a better grip, but no actual climbing is necessary and your guide will be with you every step of the way to provide a helping hand. The route with its numerous ascents and descents allow you a chance for further acclimatization, before reaching the mountain ridge. Walking along the ridge you can take in the beautiful landscape with its stunning contrasts of desert and vegetation, before finally reaching the cloudy Karanga Camp. Your trek will take between 3 to 4 hours, leaving more than enough time to rest and play a game of rummy.
Accommodation: Karanga camp.
Meal Plan: Full Board. 7 Days Machame route.

Day 6 Trekking Karanga Camp 3,995 meter to Barafu Camp 4,600 meter.

Awakening to the sunlight dancing off the Kibo Summit, you will enjoy an energetic breakfast before setting out to today’s destination – the Barafu Camp. Most of the day will be spent walking through very dry deserted terrain, with Kibo ever present on your left side. After 3-4 hours you will reach Barafu Camp, where you will have an early dinner and overnight as the highlight of your trip is only a few short hours away
Accommodation: Barafu camp.
Meal Plan: Full Board. 7 Days Machame route.

Day 7 Trekking Barafu Camp 4,600 meter to Uhuru Peak 5,895 meter to Mweka Camp 3,100 meter.

At around midnight you will be awoken by your guide with a warm cup of tea and biscuits to get you ready for your final ascent. The moon and your headlamps will be your only source of light as you make your way up to Stella Point, reaching the crater rim in about 5 – 7 hours. Another 1 – 2 hours will take you to Uhuru Peak 5,895 meter, where you can enjoy the sun rising over the African landscape, casting a pink hue over the snowy peak and making the glaciers sparkle like diamonds around you. After capturing this incredible view and achievement on film, you will start your descent along the same route back to Barafu Camp, where your team awaits you with some snacks and refreshments. Rested and relaxed you will make your way to Mweka Camp for your last night on the highest mountain on African continent.
Accommodation: Mweka camp.
Meal Plan: Full Board. 7 Days Machame route.

Day 8 Trekking Mweka Camp 3,100 meter to Mweka Gate 1,640 meter to Arusha.

A delicious breakfast is followed by a traditional farewell ceremony from your mountain crew, before you start your final stretch down the mountain. You will once more trek through the rainforest, giving you another opportunity to spot the cheeky colobus monkeys, finally reaching the Mweka gate in about 2 – 3 hours. You will be met at the gate and taken back to the Hotel in Arusha for a long shower and relaxed day by the pool. The rest of the day is for you to enjoy at leisure and giving yourself a pat on the back for conquering the famous Kilimanjaro.