Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route
Product code: 2536 The Machame Route begins in the south west of the mountain and proceeds steeply north over two days until attaining the edge of the Shira Plateau at 3900m.
From here it drops 50 metres to Shira Camp where it joins the Lemosho and Shira Routes onwards to the summit. From Shira Camp the view west over the jagged peaks forming the southern edge of the Shira Plateau is phenomenal at sunset.
- Fully catered camping only
- Good opportunity to split pre-summit day climb to leave climbers rested before summiting.
- Challenging trek with stunning scenery through 5 diverse climatic zones
- Great for acclimatization with lots of walk high, sleep low opportunities
- Most technically difficult route available without a permit due to vertical climb on Day 4
- Highly recommended for scenic value, with medium success rate. Not recommended for first-time climbers.
- Some call this the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. Where accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame route offers strictly tents only. This makes Machame (also referred to as the
- Some call this the most beautiful route up Mont Kilimanjaro
Scheduling: Shared Tour
Languages offered on the Activity / Tour: English, French, Italian, Spanish
Duration: 8 days
Mobile Voucher Accepted
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Live GuideEnglish, German, French, Spanish
Pick-up serviceKilimanjaro Int Airpot
Easy CancellationThere is no cancellation fee once Customers Cancel at least 7 day(s) prior to the date of the activity or tour.
There is 50% cancellation fee for Customers to Cancel 3 and 6 day(s) prior to the date of the activity or tour.
There is 100% cancellation fee for Customers to Cancel 2 day(s) prior to the date of the activity or tour.
- Local tourist taxes
- Flying Doctors Insurance cover within East Africa
- Transport to Mt Kilimanjaro starting point
- Pick up from the airport of arrivals and drop off to the airport of departure.
- Park reserve entry fees for Mt Kilimanjaro trek-where applicable.
- Accommodation and meals as stipulated in the itinerary All meals breakfast and lunch
- Items of personal nature such as alcoholic drinks
- Airport customs entry Visas (currently US$ 50 per person)
- International flights
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 (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.
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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 a hotel in Moshi or Arusha
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You will be picked up from your hotel either in Moshi or Arusha and you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch a flight back home.
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- One can complete the Machame route on a 6 or 7 day itinerary. Both options include a climb high, sleep low acclimatisation day.
- The total Machame route distance is approximately 62 kilometers from gate to gate.
- According to statistics from Kilimanjaro National Park approximately 50% of trekkers use the Machame Route to ascend Kilimanjaro. The route is very scenic, providing hikers with incredible views and varying landscapes.
- Machame Route is one of the most popular routes on Mount Kilimanjaro.
- The Machame is relatively difficult as climbers need to be able to ascend the Barranco Wall on day four and contend with a steep incline up Kibo on summit night. That being said, there are no parts on the route that require any technical climbing skills
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