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The Kilimanjaro Machame Trek
8 days
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About this activity
Itinerary
Day 1: Machame Climbing Route Mount Kilimanjaro Trek/Climb
Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
The day starts with a hearty breakfast and briefing with your tour guide. From Arusha we drive to Moshi. The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, 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 Camp
Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Machame Camp
Day 2: Machame Climbing Route Mount Kilimanjaro Road/Hike
Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Shira Camp
Day 3: Machame Ascending Route Mt Kilimanjaro Path
Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
Distance: 15 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert
Duration: 1 day
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Barranco Camp
Day 4: Machame Hiking Route Mount Kilimanjaro Trail
Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 5: Machame Ascent Route Mount Kilimanjaro Course
Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
After breakfast, 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 make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 6: Machame Trekking Route Mount Kilimanjaro Passage/Trek
Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 AM), 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 (18,600 ft), 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 may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. 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.
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Mweka Hut
Day 7: Machame Climb Route Mount Kilimanjaro Direction/Way
Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
We save the best for last. After breakfast, we embark on our final 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). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Arusha. Dinner and overnight at Outpost Lodge.
Mweka Camp to Moshi - Transfer to Arusha
Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Outpost Lodge
Day 8: Departure Day
Stop At: Arusha Region, Arusha Region
You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the Airport to catch a flight back home.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
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Day 1: Machame Climbing Route Mount Kilimanjaro Trek/Climb
Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
The day starts with a hearty breakfast and briefing with your tour guide. From Arusha we drive to Moshi. The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, 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 Camp
Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Machame Camp
Day 2: Machame Climbing Route Mount Kilimanjaro Road/Hike
Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Shira Camp
Day 3: Machame Ascending Route Mt Kilimanjaro Path
Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
Distance: 15 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert
Duration: 1 day
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Barranco Camp
Day 4: Machame Hiking Route Mount Kilimanjaro Trail
Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 5: Machame Ascent Route Mount Kilimanjaro Course
Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
After breakfast, 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 make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 6: Machame Trekking Route Mount Kilimanjaro Passage/Trek
Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 AM), 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 (18,600 ft), 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 may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. 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.
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Mweka Hut
Day 7: Machame Climb Route Mount Kilimanjaro Direction/Way
Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
We save the best for last. After breakfast, we embark on our final 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). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Arusha. Dinner and overnight at Outpost Lodge.
Mweka Camp to Moshi - Transfer to Arusha
Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Outpost Lodge
Day 8: Departure Day
Stop At: Arusha Region, Arusha Region
You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the Airport to catch a flight back home.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Included
- 2x Breakfast
- Accommodation included: 5 nights
- Accommodation as per itinerary
- Local taxes
- National Park fees
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
- Driver/guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private tour
- Transport by private vehicle
- Beverages
- Bottled water
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Entry/Admission - Mount Kilimanjaro
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not wheelchair accessible
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Features
Sport
65%
Tourism
40%
Cultural
25%
Original
20%
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