Mt Kilimanjaro trekking on Machame route

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Machame route starts on the southern slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro. Trekking Kilimanjaro on Machame route offers great views of western Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru - a stunning surprise above the clouds at sunset on reaching Shira Camp. Changing vegetation, valleys and glaciers are also features of trekking on Machame route.

Machame route has one of the highest summit success rates of all the Kilimanjaro routes because of the up and down nature of the climb - hiking high and sleeping low is good for acclimatization.

Climbers ascend Mount Kilimanjaro on Machame route and descend on Mweka route to Mweka camp for a final overnight. The trail to Mweka gate is well defined and, if legs are still functioning, the distance can be covered quite quickly to be back in Moshi and the hotel by mid morning.

How to Book:

Is Machame the route for you? - choose a private or group trek - select the links under 'Book Now' (opens in a new window) - select dates and any options - add your details - submit your booking.

Machame route: 9 days / 8 nights (7 trek days):

Day 1: Transfer from Kilimanjaro airport (JRO) to arive in Moshi hotel for overnight (bed and breakfast).

Day 2: Transfer to Machame gate (1800m) to start your Kilimanjaro trekking on Machame route through montane forest to the first campsite, Machame (3,000m. 6 to 7hrs).

Day 3: Mount Kilimanjaro trekking continues through steep rocks and open moorland, offering stunning views of Mt. Meru, before reaching Shira campsite (3,840m. 6 to 7hrs).

Day 4: Leave Shira Camp to continue trekking via the Lava tower (a short acclimatization ascent to 4,100m). The route descends from Lava tower to reach Baranco camp (3,950m. 7-8 hrs).

Day 5: Wake up to your challenge – Baranco wall (easier than it looks), a rock scramble that levels out beneath the glacier. Continue hiking through the surreal alpine vegetation to reach the shelter of Karanga Valley where you will stay overnight. This is a short hiking day of 2 to 3 hours to help your body to acclimatize to the high altitude. Dinner and overnight camping (Karanga – 4000m).

NOTE:

On a 6 day Machame climb - climbers continue ascending to Barafu Camp after lunch and a short rest at Karanga Valley. Preparation for the summit ascent begins on reaching Barafu camp,

Day 6: After breakfast in Karanga Camp, begin hiking through alpine vegetation, which becomes more sparse as the trail ascends. If there is no cloud cover you may get a good view of Mawenzi peak. After 4 to 5 hours hiking, reach Barafu camp site. After dinner you will be briefed on the summit ascent before retiring to your tent for resting (Barafu 4,600m).

Day 7: After a light snack and hot drink, the final stage of your Kilimanjaro climb will begin around midnight while the scree (small stone) is still frozen. There is a steep climb to Stella Point (5,700m - 5 to 6 hrs). Some climbers finish here but for those with energy reserves, the route begins to flatten out along the crater rim. Uhuru Peak (5,895m) can be reached in 1 to 2 hrs. After a short rest on the top for photographs and energy snack, start the descent and return to Barafu for breakfast. Enjoy a short rest before descending via Mweka route to Mweka Camp (3,100m - 6 to 7 hrs) for dinner and a final Kilimanjaro camping night within the forest.

Day 8: Wake up to an easy days trekking on a well defined rocky path to return through the forest to reach Mweka gate (3 to 4hrs). Join the waiting vehicle to return to the hotel for overnight (dinner not included).

Day 9: Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for departure (not included) or continue to another activity.

Included in the quoted prices:

Two hotel nights ( B&B, based on 2 sharing)
Transfers to/from the national park gate
Mountain crew and salaries (guide, chef, assistants, porters)
Three mountain meals a day and water (bottled on first day, boiled and filtered thereafter)
Kilimanjaro entry fees and camping fees
Camping equipment - tents, sleeping pad, dining
Kilimanjaro rescue fee
All government taxes.

Kilimanjaro Airport transfers are charged extra (from US$25 per person)

To book a climb on Machame route return to the top of this page and follow the links.

Take a look at our climbing Upgrade Service available on this route for private bookings.

Fitness preparation is important for a successful and enjoyable kilimanjaro climb.

Return to kili trekking programs

page update 10/04/2013