The Machame Route is known for its scenic beauty and high success rate in reaching the Uhuru Peak. As you ascend Kilimanjaro, you’ll witness stunning views of lush rainforests, moorlands, and alpine deserts before finally reaching the snow-capped summit.
Alongside experienced guides and a team of dedicated porters, you’ll embark on an extraordinary journey filled with challenges, personal triumphs, and unforgettable memories.
Upon arriving in Moshi, Tanzania's vibrant gateway town at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, you'll be warmly welcomed by your guide. Spend some time relaxing and preparing for your adventure ahead. Attend a pre-trek briefing where your guide will provide essential information about safety measures, equipment needed, and an overview of each day's trekking activities. Rest well to prepare yourself for the exciting days ahead.
Your trek begins at Machame Gate after breakfast. Transfer from Moshi to this starting point amidst lush rainforests. Along the way, you'll catch glimpses of local villages, enjoy stunning views, and immerse yourself in nature.
As you start ascending, the vegetation transitions into dense montane forests, filled with ancient trees, moss-covered rocks, and unique flora .Reach Machame Camp, settle into your campsite, and savor delicious meals prepared by experienced cooks. Retire early, surrounded by serene wilderness under starlit skies.
Accommodation : In tents, at Machame Camp
Meal Plan : Breakfast, Picnic Lunch box and Dinner
Journey time and Altitude: 5 – 6 hours walking from 1640m at Machame Gate to 2972m at the Machame Camp
Walking distance : 11km/7miles
Today’s stage is short and steep, as we push on up to an altitude of over 3804 metres. Our hard work in the morning, on a narrow path, is well rewarded at lunchtime with wonderful vistas both to the south and over to Kibo. Surely there can be no better location for lunch?
Having made an early start around 08.30hrs, we would expect to reach our camp by 14.00hrs, by which time we will have encountered the moorland lobelias and the distinctive dark obsidian rock of Shira Plateau for the first time. From Shira Caves, you will have time to marvel at some great natural sights such as the so-called ‘Shira Cathedral,’ Klute Peak and Mount Meru, before enjoying your dinner around 18.00hrs.
Accommodation In tents at Shira 2 Camp
Meal Plan Breakfast, Picnic Lunch box and Dinner
Journey time and Altitude 4-6 hours from 2972m at Machame Camp to 3804m at Shira Caves
Walking distance 5km/3miles
The fourth day presents a challenging yet rewarding trek. Begin your ascent towards Lava Tower, an imposing volcanic formation that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers. Continue descending into the scenic Barranco Valley, a picturesque landscape dotted with unique flora such as giant scenarios and everlasting flowers. Drawing closer to Barranco Camp, you'll conquer the famous Barranco Wall a thrilling climb that rewards you with unparalleled vistas .Spend the night at this beautiful campsite, enjoying well-deserved rest.
Accommodation in tents at Barranco Camp
Meal Plan Breakfast, Picnic Lunch box and Dinner
Journey time and Altitude: 6 to 8 hours from 3804 at Shira Caves, up to Lave Tower at 4630m, then down to Barranco Camp at 3950m.
Walking distance 10km/6miles
Today we breakfast slightly later (07.30hrs) with a departure time from camp scheduled for 08.30hrs. Today’s walk is actually quite short, being only about 6km/3miles but it will still take between 4 to 5 hours of trekking time. We will break for lunch at around at 13.00hrs on reaching Karanga and have the afternoon to enjoy the views before eating our dinner at 18.00hrs.
At the beginning of the day, we encounter the hardest part of the stage as we have to scramble up the near-vertical face of the Barranco Wall (also commonly referred to as the ‘Breakfast Wall’ as you tackle it right after your breakfast!). At the top of this climb, you will be rewarded with views of the Heim Glacier. After this, the rest of today’s walk becomes a bit easier as we first gradually descend to the gully below, and into the cold but beautiful Karanga Valley. We then continue and finally climb up a steep series of zig-zags until reaching the Karanga Camp (4033 meters). Our overall altitude gain today is only 160 metres.
Accommodation Karanga Camp
Meal Plan Breakfast, Cooked Lunch box and Dinner
Journey time and Altitude 4-5 hours’ walking from 3950m at Barranco Camp to 4033m at Karanga Camp
Walking distance 6km/3miles
As you near your ultimate goal, the excitement builds. On this day, you'll ascend further towards Barafu Base Camp. The terrain becomes steeper, the air thinner ,but your determination fuels your progress. Reach Barafu, in Swahili meaning "ice," where chilling winds blow from nearby glaciers. Settle into camp early, eat nourishing meals, and prepare for tomorrow's summit attempt. Retire early for a few hours of rest before embarking on an unforgettable journey towards Uhuru Peak.
Accommodation Barafu Camp
Meal PlanB reakfast, Cooked Lunch box and Dinner
Journey time and Altitude 4-5 hours’ walking from 4033m at Karanga Camp to 4556m at Barafu Camp
Walking distance4km/2miles
Our schedule for our ‘Summit Day’ is of course very different. Rising at 23.00hrs, we take our tea and biscuits (23.30hrs) before a midnight departure. We begin with a long, tough climb from Barafu at 4556 metres to Stella Point at 5756 metres; for some of this you will be walking on scree, making your trek more difficult.
We would expect to arrive there at 17.00hrs and take our dinner at 19.00hrs. (In total, we cover around 17km/10miles today with about 11-14 hours of walking – tough going, but with our objective hopefully achieved!)
Accommodation Mweka Camp
Meal Plan Brunch and Dinner
Journey time and Altitude 11-14 hours from 4556m at Barafu Camp to the summit at 5895m, then down to 3100m at Mweka Camp
Walking distance 17km/10miles
On your last day, take in the final moments of Kilimanjaro's beauty as you descend through lush rainforests. The air becomes warmer and filled with scents of exotic flowers and chirping birds. A sense of accomplishment accompanies you as you reach Mweka Gate. Celebrate your successful summit with a certificate presentation ceremony. Return to Moshi for a hot shower, a delicious meal, and some well-deserved relaxation.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro requires a good level of physical fitness and mental determination. The Machame Route is considered challenging due to its steep ascents, difficult terrains, and long hiking days. It’s crucial that climbers are adequately prepared both physically and mentally prior to undertaking this expedition. To make your climb successful, it’s recommended that you engage in regular exercise routines such as cardio workouts, stamina-building activities, and endurance training.
It’s advisable to engage in regular cardiovascular exercises ,stamina-building activities like hiking ,jogging ,cycling, to prepare your body for the demands of this expedition. Consulting with medical professionals before undertaking such an endeavor is highly recommended.
Do not hesitage to give us a call or chat direct WhatsApp with us. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
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