TREKKING ITINERARY Overview
The Machame route is one of the most beautiful and most popular trekking tours on Kilimanjaro. The trail starts in the lush rainforest with views of Mount Meru, Shira Ridge as well the main summit of the Kilimanjaro – Kibo peak. The Machame route contains more steep passages at higher altitudes than for example the Marangu or Rongai routes and requires better fitness and determination from the mountain climber, but it’s worth it.
The Machame Route is one of the most popular routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, and for good reason. It’s a challenging hike, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.The route takes you through a variety of terrain, from lush rainforests to snow-capped peaks. Along the way, you’ll see amazing wildlife, including elephants, lions, and zebras.The Machame Route is a 6-day trek, and it’s important to be in good physical condition to complete it. But if you’re up for the challenge, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most stunning views in Africa.
Day 1: Your Arrival Day.
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Gran Melia Arusha
Day 01: Arrival Day
Arriving at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), you will be greeted upon arrival by our warm, friendly guide(s). You will be transferred to a nearby hotel to rest and relax after the long international flight. During the day on your way to nearby hotel from KIA-hotel you may get the chance to view the mountain showed itself for some time before shrouded in cloud. Overnight in the hotel in Moshi town notice the sounds and smells of Moshi town all around you.
Welcome to Tanzania’s Peace Land. Our driver will get you up at Kilimanjaro and take you to Arusha Town for the night. Stay the night in Arusha with half-board lodging
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Accommodation
Gran Melia Arusha
Day 2: Machame Gate (1790 M) – Machame Camp (3020 M)
Kilimanjaro experience
Machame Camp
Day 2: Machame Gate (1790 M) – Machame Camp (3020 M)
Once everything is prepared and picked your adventure will begin; after a few minutes, you will be deep within the forest with ancient trees, ferns, mosses, and black and white colobus monkeys frolicking in the treetops. After 5 – 6 hours you will reach – Machame Camp –situated just above the forest line at 3000 m. Arriving here, the porters have already set up your tents and warm water for washing is ready.
Kilimanjaro Experience
Camping
Machame Camp
Day 3:Machame Camp To Shira Camp
Kilimanjaro Experience
Shira 1 Camp
Day 3:Machame Camp To Shira Camp
After an early morning start, the path steepens and the vegetation changes into a moorland with shrubs such as hardy Ericas. Today’s stage is shorter than the previous day and by mid-afternoon, you will arrive at the campsite at the Shira Plateau. From the camp, you will have breath-taking views of the mountain and evening light on the rock face and glacier of Kibo as the sunsets.
Trekking Experience
Camping
Shira 1 Camp
Day 4: Shira Camp To Barranco Camp
Kilimanjaro Experience
Barranco Camp
Day 4: Shira Camp To Barranco Camp
Today will be a day for ups and downs. You will ascend almost 700 m but descend again after reaching the imposing Lava Tower (4640 m). This will help with acclimatization as you will reach a height of over 4500 m. You will move through different vegetation zones. After reaching Lava Tower the path traverses Barranco Valley dotted with the weird-looking senecios. Barranco Camp is reached after 6 – 7 hours. Considered the most beautiful camp on the mountain, the camp is situated just below the imposing Barranco Wall. Rest and refuel tonight.
Trekking Experience
Camping
Barranco Camp
Day 5: Barranco Camp To Barafu Camp
Kilimanjaro Experience
Barafu Camp
Day 5: Barranco Camp To Barafu Camp
The first section of today’s route is to scale the ‘Barranco Wall’. Use your hands and feet. Safety is paramount and you will be secured if necessary, but it looks more daunting than it actually is. The trail continues with many up and down sections, crossing a few streams, winding and climbing stopping for lunch in the Karanga Valley. After lunch, there will be another 2 – 3 hours climb before you reach Barafu Camp (4640 m). Tonight, drink a lot of fluids, try to eat, and go to bed early to rest enough before tomorrow’s summit trek.
Trekking Experience
Camping
Barafu Camp
Day 6: Mweka Camp (3080 M) – Mweka Gate (1630 M) – Moshi
Kilimanjaro Experience
Mweka Camp
Day 6: Mweka Camp (3080 M) – Mweka Gate (1630 M) – Moshi
You will be woken in the midnight hours with a cup of tea and a biscuit. Dressed warmly and geared with a headlight and your daypack you will set off in the darkness. After 5 – 7 hours of ‘pole pole’, you will reach the rim of the crater, Stella Point. Another one to two hours of going slowly along the crater’s edge and you will arrive at the summit – Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Looking down over the surrounding landscape below in the early morning light will make you feel on top of the world. You have now reached the ‘Roof of Africa’. The descent should be easy but dusty, as the volcanic ash will now have defrosted. Returning on the same route you should arrive at Barafu Camp within a few hours where the porters are waiting with food and tea. Resting for an hour or two, you will continue down to reach Mweka Camp (3080 m) for your overnight stay.
Kilimanjaro Experience
Camping
Mweka Camp
Day 7 Mweka Gate (1630 M) – Moshi
The first section of today’s route is to scale the ‘Barranco Wall’. Use your hands and feet. Safety is paramount and you will be secured if necessary, but it looks more daunting than it actually is. The trail continues with many up and down sections, crossing a few streams, winding and climbing stopping for lunch in the Karanga Valley. After lunch, there will be another 2 – 3 hours climb before you reach Barafu Camp (4640 m). Tonight, drink a lot of fluids, try to eat, and go to bed early to rest enough before tomorrow’s summit trek.
Kilimanjaro Trekking Experience
Tour Include
- Transfers in both directions between the International Airport .
- Transfers in both directions between the International Airport .
- Accommodation at the lodge in Arusha.
- Extended 4 x 4 safari jeep with pop up roof for game viewing
- Professional English, France, German Speaker safari guide
- Entrance fees to all national parks and Crater fees.
- All meals while on safari and mineral drinking water during the safari.
- Government taxes
Tour Exclude
- International flights
- Travel and personal accident insurance
- Visa
- Passport
- Vaccinations & medicines
- Tips/gratuities for guides, cook and porters
- Other expenditures like luxury drinks/beverage, alcoholic drinks at lodge/hotels or on your trip as well as souvenirs and personal items after or before trip.
- Optional excursions/activities not detailed in itinerary
- Any additional services that will be requested
