The Machame route is one of the most beautiful routes to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro. The climb begins in the lush rainforest and follows a path that offers occasional views of Mt Meru, Shira Ridge as well the main summit of Mt Kilimanjaro – Kibo. The Machame route contains more steep passages and higher altitudes than the Marangu and the Rongai route and is slightly more demanding.

The Machame Route features a tented camping experience as opposed to the Marangu Route which makes use of an extensive mountain hut system.

Your trip starts when we pick you up from the airport at Kilimanjaro from where we will take you to a hotel in Moshi for the night and you will be introduced to your mountain guide who will ensure you have all the necessary gear for the climb.

Day 1 Arrival to Tanzania

On arrival at Taveta or Kilimanjaro Airport, met and assisted. Transfer to Hotel for an overnight rest on bed, dinner and breakfast in readiness for the next day’s hit to Kilimanjaro.

Day 2

Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 45-minute drive from Moshi (910m) to the Machame village (1490m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment in the village. You will receive a lunch pack and you can also buy mineral water in the village. Depending on the condition of the road, it is possible to drive from the village to the Machame gate, but if not, the muddy 3 km walk will take about 1 hour to complete. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately.

Day 3

You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler 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, 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 3 840m.

Day 4

The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m). Definitely, the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear.

Day 5

After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than what you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it.

Day 6

ou will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest

Day 7

After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! You now drive back to Arusha for a long over due hot shower, dinner and celebrations

Day 8

Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or continue with your safari schedule.

Karibu Tena

• Tour Price Inclusive
• Prices Exclude

Tour Price Inclusive

Transfer to and from the base of the mountain

Machame route trek as itinerary depicts

Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.

Meal plan as detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner

Accommodations at a Hotel in Moshi for 2 nights and huts on the mountain as per the itinerary

All park entrance fees to include government taxes

Service of an English speaking professional Mountain guide on the mountain, porters and skilled cook

All services begin and end at Kilimanjaro Airport as per the itinerary

Treated water on the trek

Return airport transfers from/to Kilimanjaro Airport

Prices Exclude

Tips, (around 110 to 120 US $ for Guides and Porters),laundry, sleeping bags, drinks and climbing gears

Medical evacuation,

International flights and taxes

Visas (50 US $ for Tanzania)

Items of a personal nature and any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary.

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