7 Days Machame Route
Tour snapshot
Duration
7 Days, 6 Nights
Tour Type
Trekking
Tour Style
Private
Tour Overview
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. The path leads hikers through the rain forest to Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro’s routes converge. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
Tips:
Crater camping is possible with an extra day & costs
- scenic Kilimanjaro trail
- crossing the barranco wall
Tour Plan
DAY 1: RONGAI GATE TO RONGAI CAVE
- Elevation: 5,380 ft. to 9,350 ft.
- Distance: 11 km/7 miles
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
From here, we will be driving 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 and overnight.
DAY 2: MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA 2 CAMP.
- Elevation: 9,350 ft. to 12,500 ft.
- Distance: 5 km/3 miles
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
- Habitat: Heath
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 and overnight.
DAY 3: SHIRA 2 CAMP TO LAVA TOWER.
SHIRA 2 CAMP
- Elevation: 12,500 ft. to 15,190 ft.
- Distance: 7 km/4 miles
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP
- Elevation: 15,190 ft. to 13,044 ft.
- Distance: 3 km/2 miles
- Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
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.
- Elevation: 13,044 ft. to 13,106 ft.
- Distance: 5 km/3 miles
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
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 steeper climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
DAY 5: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
- Elevation: 13,106 ft. to 15,331 ft.
- Distance: 4 km/2 miles
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
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.
- Elevation: 15,331 ft. to 19,341 ft.
- Distance: 5 km/3 miles
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
- Habitat: Arctic
UHURU PEAK TO MWEKA CAMP
- Elevation: 19,341 ft. to 10,065 ft.
- Distance: 12km/7 miles
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
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
- Elevation: 10,065 ft. to 5,380 ft.
- Distance: 10km/6 miles
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
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
You will be picked up from the hotel and be transferred to the airport to catch up your flight back home.
What are Included on the Trek
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
- Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary.
- Professional, English-speaking Wilderness First Responder & CPR certified Guide
- Proper Ration of Mountain crew (Cook & Porters)
- Pre and Post accommodations
- Airport Transfers
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water and Full Board Meals
- All National Park & Hut Fees, Crew Permits and VAT
- Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages
- Gate Transfers
- Complimentary Oxygen Cylinder
- Portable Private Toilet and Porter
- Quality Imported Equipment’s
EXCLUDED IN THE PRICE
- Flights
- Visa fees
- Travel or Medical Insurance is required and you should ask for Recommendation
- Gamow Bag
- Medication
- Tips for porters and mountain crew
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Energy food & beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
- Extra hotel nights if early arrival or descent from the mountain$120 per room
Packing List for Mount Kilimanjaro Trek
Here is a list of what you might want to pack for the Mount Kilimanjaro hike. Please take this as a starting point.
General
- Four-season (zero degree) sleeping bag (We have rental sleeping bags available for an additional USD 35)
- Puffy down jacket (We have rental jackets available for an additional USD 35)
- Daypack (35-45 liters recommended) with rain cover
- Sleeping bag liner
Upper Body
- Sun hat or cap
- Knitted hat
- Headlamp
- Sunglasses
- Neck gaiter
Torso
- Technical fabric base layer (light for warmer months, heavy for colder months)
- Technical fabric short (2) and long sleeve (2) shirts
- Waterproof, windproof shell
- Fleece jacket or pullover
Lower Body
- Technical fabric base layer (light for warmer months, heavy for colder months)
- Hiking pants (2)
- Comfortable pants for inside the teahouses
- Waterproof, windproof shell
- Hiking shorts
Hands
- Wool or technical fabric liner gloves
- Hard-shell outer gloves (insulated for colder months)
Feet
- Wool or technical fabric warm socks
- Hiking socks
- Liner socks (optional such as silk)
- Trekking/hiking boots (waterproof recommended)
- Ice Cleats/Micro Spikes (recommended to prevent slipping on icy or wet surfaces.)
- Casual shoes
- Gaiters (lightweight for dust or heavy for snow in colder months)
Undergarments
Note: The quantity of each article of clothing can be adjusted to suit the preferences of each participant.
- Technical fabric/quick drying is best for underwear (opportunities to launder during the trip)
- Sports bras (women)
- Pajamas or sleeping clothes
First Aid Kits and Medications
(Note: Guides carry medications and first aid kits during the trip. However, personal kits and medications are highly recommended.)
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Ointment
Optional
- Power bank or extra batteries
- Cameras and mobile phone
- Cards/book
- Binoculars
- Trekking poles
- Whistle
- Thermos for hot water
Speak to an Expert
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Can be customized upon request, to meet travelers needs
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