Machame Route Itinerary
We recommend the Machame route to most climber.
Day 1:
Arrive in Moshi Tanzania East Africa
This is the day that you will be arriving in Tanzania through Kilimanjaro international airport (JRO). At the arrivals we will be carrying your name on a well printed paper so that you can easily recognize us. Our driver will be at the airport on time to pick you and take you to your hotel in Moshi for accommodation. At the hotel is where full payment will be done, also pre- climbing as well as gear check.
Day 2
Start your Kilimanjaro hike:
After have your breakfast at the hotel we come to pick you around 10am and drive to machame gate it might take 30 – 45 minutes from Moshi. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
After registrations, we depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations 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.
Machame Gate to Machame Hut (3,000 m): 5-7 hours walking.
6,000 ft / 1,830 m to 10,200 ft / 3,100 m.
Distance: 11 km.
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours.
Habitat: Montane Forest.
Full Board at Machame Hut Camp.
Day 3
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest 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.
Machame Hut to Shira Camp (3,840m): 4-6 hours walking.
10,200 ft / 3,100 m to 12,600 ft / 3,840 m.
Distance: 9 km.
Walking Time: 4-6 hours.
Habitat: Moorland.
Full Board Shira Cave Camp
Day 4
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Valley.
Today we walk on a gentle ascent and panoramic views. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and after hot lunch the bottom of the Lava Tower (4,600 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,950 m.).
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (3,950 m.): 5-7 hours walking.
12,600 ft / 3,840 m to 12,700 ft / 3,860 m.
Distance: 15 km.
Walking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert.
Full Board Barranco Camp.
Day 5
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
Distance: 9km
Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, 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 will have an early dinner so that we can have enough time to prepare for summit night and rest. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Day 6
Barafu Camp Then Summit Then descend down to Mweka camp
On summit night we will wake you up at 11:00 then at 11:30 you will need to be at mess tent for brunch then we start set our pace to the summit on 0:0 (midnight) very early in the morning, 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. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa for your big day
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain for last dinner in the jungle!
4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,343ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 6km up / 13km down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Full Board at Mweka Camp.
Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate then
Drive from Moshi:
After breakfast there will be a ceremony of joy for everyone then you will give tips to the crew after finishing a big hike safe and sound then 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 (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Our vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate, we will have a one stop for nice lunch at the souvenir shop then we will drive to your accomodation in Moshi for a hot shower and resting.
3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Day 8
Sadly leaving Tanzania:
If you don’t plan another tour in Tanzania you will check out at your hotel then we will drive you to the airport on time to catch your flight back home.
Day 1
Arrive in Moshi Tanzania East Africa
This is the day that you will be arriving in Tanzania through Kilimanjaro international airport (JRO). At the arrivals we will be carrying your name on a well printed paper so that you can easily recognize us. Our driver will be at the airport on time to pick you and take you to your hotel in Moshi for accommodation. At the hotel is where full payment will be done, also pre- climbing as well as gear check.
Day 2
Start your Kilimanjaro climb:
From the hotel to Machame Gate then to Machame Hut Camp
Drive from Moshi to machame gate it might take 30 – 45 minutes from Moshi. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations 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.
Machame Gate to Machame Hut (3,000 m): 5-7 hours walking.
6,000 ft / 1,830 m to 10,200 ft / 3,100 m.
Distance: 11 km.
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours.
Habitat: Montane Forest.
Full Board at Machame Hut Camp.
Day 3
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest 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.
Machame Hut to Shira Camp (3,840m): 4-6 hours walking.
10,200 ft / 3,100 m to 12,600 ft / 3,840 m.
Distance: 9 km.
Walking Time: 4-6 hours.
Habitat: Moorland.
Full Board Shira Cave Camp
Day 4
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Valley.
Today we walk on a gentle ascent and panoramic views. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and after hot lunch the bottom of the Lava Tower (4,600 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,950 m.).
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (3,950 m.): 5-7 hours walking.
12,600 ft / 3,840 m to 12,700 ft / 3,860 m.
Distance: 15 km.
Walking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert.
Full Board Barranco Camp.
Day 5
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
Day 6
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
Day 7
Barafu Camp Then Summit Then descend down to Mweka camp
On summit night we will wake you up at 11:00 then at 11:30 you will need to be at mess tent for brunch then we start set our pace to the summit on 0:0 (midnight) very early in the morning, 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. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa for your big day
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain for last dinner in the jungle!
4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,343ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 6km up / 13km down
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Full Board at Mweka Camp.
Day 8
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate then
Drive from Moshi:
After breakfast there will be a ceremony of joy for everyone then you will give tips to the crew after finishing a big hike safe and sound then 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 (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Our vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate, we will have a one stop for nice lunch at the souvenir shop then we will drive to your accomodation in Moshi for a hot shower and resting.
3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Day 9
Sadly leaving Tanzania:
If you don’t plan another tour in Tanzania you will check out at your hotel then we will drive you to the airport on time to catch your flight back home.
1). All national park fees.
2). Rescue fees.
3). Camping/Hut fees
4). Good salary for the crew.
5). All meals and clean water on the mountain.
6). A nice and comfortable mattress on the mountain
7). Tents (guest personal tent, mess tent for our guests to have their meals every day on the mountain, kitchen tent as a cooking place and to store our food, as well as shelter tent for the crew use).
8). Transport from your hotel to the mountain and back.
9). Lunch on your descending day from Kilimanjaro
10). Professional, first aided and experienced Mountain Guides, Cook and well-trained Porters to make sure your adventure with us in Tanzania is the most successful one ever!
11). Portable chemical toilet
12). Emergency Oxygen
13). First aid kit
14). Pulse oximeter to measure our guest’s heart beat and oxygen level while on the mountain
15. Airport transfers means when you arrive in Tanzania and when you are leaving Tanzania
16. Hotel staying in Moshi for two nights, a night before the trek and a night after the trek
NOT INCLUDED:
1. Visa
2. Tips for the climbing team which is $300+ per climber
3. Highly recommended travel and medical insurance.
4. Personal hiking/trekking gear
NOTE: we are also renting nice and good quality Mt Kilimanjaro gear at our equipment store in Moshi Tanzania so you can also rent some here before the trek but if needed
5. Snacks, personal medicine and water purifying tablets
6. Meals & drinks not specified and snacks
7. Sleeping bag
8. Lunch and dinner at the hotel plus extra days at the hotel if one may need it.
9. Items of a personal nature
Note: what you are paying it covers almost all the important services you may needs here..
MACHAME ROUTE ITINERARY:
Machame route has been nicknamed the “Whiskey Route” because it is often perceived as being tougher than Marangu route, which is often referred to as the “Coca-Cola” route. Unlike that trail however, camping is allowed on Machame, which means trekkers will be sleeping in tents all the way to the summit.
Trekkers who take the Machame Route pass several well known Mount Kilimanjaro landmarks while en route, including the famed Lava Tower and Shira Plateau. The route wanders up and down a series of valleys and ridges, which make the walk a bit more strenuous, but rewards hikers with some of the best views on the mountain.
It is for that reason that Machame route is widely considered to be the most scenic of all of the routes up Mount Kilimanjaro, providing unique and varied landscapes to pass through on each and every day. The trail starts on the south side of the mountain, passes underneath the Southern Ice Field and makes its summit approach from the Barafu Camp.
Machame route can be done in 6 days or in 7 days. To shorten 7 days to 6 days you skip the night in the Karanga Valley and instead walk straight from the Barranco Huts to the Barafu Huts (base camp) in one day.
