7-Day Machame Route Trek On Mount Kilimanjaro
Detailed Tour Itinerary
The Machame Route is a popular and challenging 7-day trek on Mount Kilimanjaro, known for its scenic beauty and gradual acclimatization. Starting at Machame Gate, the route ascends through diverse ecosystems, from lush rainforests to alpine deserts.
Climbers encounter steep climbs, like the Barranco Wall, and traverse the Shira Plateau before reaching the summit at Uhuru Peak. The itinerary emphasizes gradual ascent and rest days to increase the chances of summit success and minimize the risk of altitude sickness.
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you will be greeted by our transfer driver and taken to the nice and comfortable Hotel in Arusha. The rest of the day is for you to enjoy at leisure – relax at the hotel pool or explore the town of Arusha. In the late afternoon you will met by one of our Kilimanjaro team members, who will brief you on your upcoming trek.
Dinner and overnight at the hote
Elevation: 1800m to 3000m
Distance: 11km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
The drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes 1½ to 2 hours. The journey passes Arusha up Kilimanjaro region and 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 rainforest 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.
Elevation: 3000m to 3840m
Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rainforest 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.
Elevation: 3840m to 4600m (at the Lava Tower) then 3900m
Distance: 10km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Semi-Desert
From the Shira Plateau, we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the Southeast 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 4900m. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,900m. 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.
Elevation (m): 3,900m to 3995m
•Distance: 6 km
•Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert
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.
•Elevation (m): 3995m to 4673m
•Distance: 4 km
•Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert
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.
•Elevation (m): 4673m to 5895m (and down to
3100m)
•Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
•Habitat: Arctic
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), 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 (5766m), 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.
•Elevation (m): 3100m to 1640m
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, we continue the 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 gate to drive you back to hotel in Arusha
After breakfast you will be taken to Kilimanjaro Airport or you can opt to extend your trip with a safari or a beach holiday on Zanzibar
- • Park fees
• 9 days
• Pickup and transfer airport
• Porters who carry your luggage
• Private cook speaking fluently English
• Private guide speaking fluently English
• Chairs and tables for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• High quality tents (including dinner-tent)
• Portable toilet
• Rescue fee (up to 11.483 feet above sea level by car)
Excluded
- International flights
Travel insurance
Tips for guides and porters (recommended)
Personal gear (sleeping bag, hiking boots, warm layers, rain gear, etc.)
Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic, except for drinking water)
Travel visas
Items of a personal nature (batteries, toiletries)
