The Machame route is increasingly the most popular and perhaps the most beautiful trekking route on Kilimanjaro. It begins in the rainforest and soon opens up to offer spectacular views of Mount Meru, Shira Ridge and Kibo peak, the main summit point of the mountain. This route has more steep sections than the more constant Marangu or Rongai routes and is a tougher ask of the climber, but the diverse and interesting terrain and the vistas are well worth it. Machame joins the longer Lemosho route at Shira Camp 2.
ARRIVE DAY: Pickup at the Airport
You will be picked up from the airport. From there, you will go to the hotel in Moshi for an orientation on your trek. Your guides will be there to provide you with details on your trek and will also check your trekking gear.
Dinner and overnight a Panama Garden Resort or Related Hotel
DAY 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
The drive from Moshi to the Machame Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp.
DAY 2: Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.
DAY 3: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.
DAY 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
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 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
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 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
DAY 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
DEPARTURE DAY
Transfer to Airport or Continue with adventure (Recommended Tanzania Safaris to Tarangire Ngorongoro and Serengeti Minimum 3-4 Days is advice to enjoy wildlife in Tanzania)
| Solo | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2650 | $2500 | $2320 | $2100 | $1980 | $1800 |
• Personal items and toiletries
• Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain • Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (not per climber):
o Guides: $20/day/guide
o Cook: $15/day
o Porter: $10/day/porter
o N/B: Our Guides, cooks and Porters are always satisfied with your thanks giving (tip) you have and not beyond your ability.
• International airfares and departure taxes
• All items of person nature such as telephone call, fax, email etc
• Alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
• Laundry services
• Visa and International flight tickets fees.