Machame Route is the second most popular route on Mount Kilimanjaro with length of 26 km. This route is considered as the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. With a gradual ascend through the forest you emerge to see wide views of the moorland on Shira plateau, Kibo and Western Breach. The different kinds of vegetation found along the route make it the most scenery route. We are approaching the summit with an acclimatization day by walking in the same heights (Barafu Camp to Karanga Valley Camp), and another day by stopping at Karranga Valley camp (we are one of few tour operators offering this).
There are no mountain huts on this route; the accommodation is in mountain tents. For a slightly more technical climb on Kilimanjaro, one can conquer Uhuru peak from Arrow Glacier camp, but a less challenging route can be taken from Barranco hut. The route done in six days is physically challenging for most people. The last two days (the trek from Barranco to Barafu and then the overnight trek to the summit) require mental and physical toughness, due to the high altitude and short amount of time to rest before the overnight summit attempt.
Travel Members
Amazing Tanzania Tours encourages Groups companion to a limit of 4-6 people though we guarantee possibility of accommodating large groups of any size. The above proposed combination is limited to groups starting the same route on the same day. With our professional safari planners, private groups climbs can be arranged at no extra cost for interested clients. Single travelers can be added to groups upon agreement with group members.
Kilimanjaro Climbing Program Machame Route
Day 01: Arrival
Arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport/Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Transfer by normal (0800am or 0200pm) shuttle Bus to Arusha where you booked in Arusha Crown Hotel/Impala hotel for the night BB
Day 02: Hotel – Machame Gate
At 7:30 a.m., you will transfer to the Machame Park Gate (5,950 ft./ 1,815 mt.). After registering with the park authority, we’ll begin our climb through the lush forest. Trekkers will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above, and many even see black & white colobus monkeys and Sykes monkeys as they hike along the knotted roots and mud on the forest floor. We’ll continue on to some heath land before reaching our overnight camp at Machame Camp (9,850 feet, 6-7 hours of walking), just above the forest zone. The trek is quite long, thus not steep. Dinner and Overnight at Machame camp.
Day 03: Machame Gate – Shira Camp
Today’s segment of the ascent will continue across beautiful heath land and alpine moorland with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Peak. We begin up the steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, and trees of Giant Heather and Erica. Scramble around large boulders as you enter the moorland zone, marked by lobelia and Seneca plants, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards, which protect wild alpine flowers growing at their bases. We’ll overnight at Shira Camp (12,600 feet, 5-6 hours of walking).Dinner and Overnight at Shira camp.
Day 04: Shira Camp – Barranco Camp
Breakfast. You will draw nearer the peak as we get closer to the Lava Tower. The trek becomes a bit more strenuous as the trail steepness on the approach to the lava Tower, a 300 foot tall volcanic plug which marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet. In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a cool (flat area) enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (Seneca Kilimanjaro), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia. Then we slowly ascent to our overnight stop at Barranco Camp (12,950 feet, 5-6 hours of walking). This day and the following day will be your acclimatization day. Dinner and Overnight at Baeranco Camp.
Day 05: Barranco Camp – Karanga Valley Camp
Breakfast. The day will begin with a descent into the Gorge, before we climb its eastern wall where we will enjoy views of Kilimanjaro ice fields, an equatorial anomaly. We will continue trekking until we reach our camp in Karanga Valley (13,900 feet, 4-5 hours of walking).Dinner and Overnight at Karanga valley camp.
Day 06: Karanga Valley Camp – Barafu Camp
Breakfast. You will trek up through the Karanga Valley, the trail turns steadily uphill, following the lava ridge to the Barafu camp. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting as a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight. Barafu camp (15,200 feet, 6-7 hours of walking).Dinner and Overnight at Barafu camp.
Day 07: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp
Just after midnight we start of a challenging trek (12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 12:30 to 1am, passing between the Rebmann and Tarsal glaciers to the rim at Stella Point. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to –10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at the summit. As dawn nears, we’ll summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet. Uhuru will be the culmination of – and the reward for – 6-7 hours of strenuous hiking. We’ll then descend back to Barafu Camp, resting for a while before continuing our descent to Mweka Camp (9,840 feet, 3-4 hours of walking on the descent). Dinner and Overnight at Mweka camp.
Day 08: Mweka Camp – Machame Gate
Breakfast. You will make our final descent to the park gate, a walk of about 3 or 4 hours. After bidding our farewells to our guide and porters, we’ll drive to Arusha for b/breakfast.
Enquire for Price
Price Includes:
- National Park entry fees, camping fees, rescue fees
- English speaking guide(s), cook and porters
- Full board camping accommodation during the climb
- Camping equipment i.e. Tents + Form mattress
- Mineral water for the first day, boiled and filtered water on the other days
- Transfer to the gate and return to Arusha/Moshi
Price excludes:
- Other drinks
- Meals and accommodation in Arusha/Moshi – We can arrange this one too.
- Sleeping bag
- Personal expenses and tips