Adventurers from around the world have been summoned to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s Rooftop, for decades. As the highest free standing mountain in Africa, those who make the summit have not only bragging rights, but wonderful memories of an incredible adventure. The Machame Trek offers travelers the most scenic viable ascent route on Kilimanjaro. This physically challenging climb contains steep and long hiking days paired with luxury camping accommodations and guide services to give you the best chance to make the summit. This deluxe climb features walk-in tents, portable toilets and a shower to ensure you can rest and relax each evening. Safety equipment such as oxygen, portable hyperbaric chamber, and oximeters for monitoring blood oxygen levels are included.
Highlights
Explore Moshi at your leisure or arrange a day excursion
Hike through valleys, across plateaus, and over ridges
Spend 7 days trekking Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Watch the sunrise from the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
Today is a free day in Moshi to rest and prepare for your trek, and we can arrange additional excursions such as:
Arusha National Park - Introduction to game viewing with options for canoe ride on Small Momela Lake or a walking safari.
Coffee Cooperative and Village Tour - Visit the village of Uru on the slopes of Kilimanjaro which produces some of the world's finest coffee. Get an understanding of village life for people living on Africa's highest mountain.
Mountain Biking - Day trips are available to stretch your legs and explore the backcountry.
Join a pre-climb briefing with your mountain guide in the evening. Get a good night’s rest, as tomorrow you start off on the Mount Kilimanjaro climb!
This morning you depart early and transfer just under an hour to the Machame Gate, from here start the day's hike. Trek through a thick mountain forest of Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes as you gain approximately 4000 ft during the 6-8 hour hike. Camp will be set up when you arrive, so you can relax and enjoy your first camp dinner.
Camp altitude: 9843 ft Hiking length: 6-8 hours Hike Distance: 6 Miles
After breakfast the group sets off for another day of hiking. Start by traversing the moorland zone, while you take in views of Shira Platea and Mount Meru. After a quick rest continue up the rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. The altitude gain today means walking at a slower pace, so take the time to enjoy the views. Tonight dine and sleep at Shira Camp.
Camp altitude: 12,600 ft Hiking length: 4-6 hours Hike Distance: 5 Miles
Depart Shira Camp in the morning, hiking a gradual path towards Kibo Peak. Today the terrain shifts again to a semi dessert and rocky landscape. Today’s hike will be the most challenging yet. The effects of the altitude starting showing in breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. Once you reach Buttress point, descend down to Barranco Camp for dinner and overnight.
Camp altitude: 13,000 ft Hiking length: 6-8 hours Hike Distance: 7.5 Miles
Cross the Barranco Valley and up the Barranco wall this morning before heading across the scree and ridges where you will meet up with the South Circuit path and hike though the Karanga Valley. Karanga Valley is the last water stop on the route. Reach Karanga Valley camp by lunchtime today and have a chance to acclimate and rest before dinner.
Camp altitude: 13,105 ft Hiking length: 5-6 hours Hike Distance: 2.5 Miles
Today make a slow ascent up a moraine ridge to Barafu camp. The hike is very steep and offer views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks as well as of the southern glaciers and glacial valleys. Again, you should arrive by lunch time and it is important to familiarize yourself with the camp layout before dark, as it is situated on an exposed and dangerous ridge. Barafu is the Swahili word for ‘ice’ and tonight’s camp is in a bleak and inhospitable camping area. This evening rest and prepare for summit night.
Camp altitude: 15300 ft Hiking length: 5-6 hours Hike Distance: 2.5 Miles
Your final push to the summit starts tonight at midnight! Tonight’s climb is one of the steepest on the non-technical paths of Kilimanjaro. It is a 6-7 hour hike to Stella Point (18,815 ft), but the sunrise that awaits you is a once-in-a-lifetime event. From Stella Point, hike one more hour to the summit, Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft), be prepared, as most likely you will experience snow. After enjoying your accomplishment, descend down to Mweka Camp for a well-deserved rest and your last dinner on the mountain.
Today you complete your climbing experience with an easy walk (3-4 hours) back to the Mweka gate, where a waiting vehicle will transfer you back to your hotel. The evening is free to toast your incredible accomplishments of the previous week!
Day 10: Departure Day
1 Breakfast
Today you say goodbye to Tanzania with your summit certificate and memories in tow, or, continue on with a traditional Africa Safari or visit to Zanzibar.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 25% ($400 minimum), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
9 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 6 Dinners
9 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Meals as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Professional, bilingual guide service as listed
Excursions and activities as listed
Arrival Transfer
Gear Rental: Camping Gear (walk-in tent, camp bed with pillow, portable toilet (1 per 5 climbers), dining chairs with backs, & camp shower (1 per 5 climbers))
All National Park Entry, Camp, and Rescue Fees
Safety Equipment - Oxygen (1 per 5 climbers), Hyperbaric (Gamov) Pressure Bag (1 per 10 climbers), and oximeters
6 nights of camping are included on this trekking itinerary. Accommodations are walk-in tents with camp beds and camp pillows.
Machame Route Camps
Day 2 - Machame Camp elevation: 9,843 ft
Day 3 - Shira Camp elevation: 12,600 ft
Day 4 - Barranco Camp elevation: 13,000 ft
Day 5 - Karanga Valley Camp elevation: 13,105 ft
Day 6 - Barafu Camp elevation: 15,300 ft
Day 7 - Mweka Camp elevation: 10,065 ft
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Tourist Visa
1) Both US Dollars and Tanzania Schillings are equally accepted. Most tourist stores and restaurants price items
in USD. Therefore, it is not necessary to have Schillings, if travelers bring enough USD.
2) If travelers do bring USD, bring small bills ($20$10$5$1). Old $100 bills are not accepted and vendors are reluctant to accept new ones.
3) Travelers can get Schillings if needed, but there are very few ATMS.
Travelers will need to plan ahead with the guide to get cash. It is best to withdraw a large amount at once since there are so few opportunities.
4) Most stores and restaurants will accept major credit cards, however they will
charge you a fee (typically 4-5%).
Meals not Included
International Flights
Departure Transfer
Airport Departure Tax
Optional Excursions
Tourist Visa - Contact your Consulate in advance
Personal Hiking Equipment - Please bring daypack, clothing, and sleeping bag
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
