For decades, adventurers from around the world have been summoned to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, "Africa’s Rooftop." As the highest free-standing mountain in Africa, those who reach the summit have both bragging rights and wonderful memories of an incredible adventure. The Machame 10-day Trek offers travelers the most scenic and viable ascent route of Kilimanjaro. This physically challenging climb includes steep and long hiking days paired with luxury camping accommodations and guide services to give you the best chance of reaching the summit. This deluxe climb includes walk-in tents, portable toilets, and a shower to ensure you can rest and relax each evening. Safety equipment such as oxygen, portable hyperbaric chambers, and oximeters to monitor 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
Requires the highest level of physical challenge and performance. Includes tours involving strenuous multi-day trekking or summit hikes. The majority of the hours in most days are physically active. Travelers will need intensive training in advance to meet the physical demands on these trips.
Today is a free day in Moshi to rest and prepare for your trek. You can also arrange additional excursions such as:
Arusha National Park - Introduction to game viewing with options for a 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!
Leaving from Moshi, a 45-minute drive leads you through charming mountainside villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. Wait for your permits while observing the busy activity as crews prepare for their journey. Enjoy the stunning rainforest scenery and winding trails as your guide shares insights about the local flora, fauna, and wildlife. Be aware that the trail can be muddy and slippery at these lower elevations, so it is strongly suggested to use gaiters and trekking poles.
Rainforest Elevation: 1,830 m/6,000 ft to 3,050 m/9,950 ft Hiking length: 6-8 hours Hike Distance: 11km /7 miles
After a restful night's sleep and a satisfying breakfast, leave the rainforest behind and continue on a path that ascends gradually. As you move away from the forest, the trail steadily climbs, offering wide views until you reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. You'll notice the temperatures starting to drop as you ascend.
Moorland Elevation: 3,050 m/9,950 ft to 3,810 m/12,500 ft Hiking length: 4-5 hours Hike Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Day 5: Shira II Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Leave Shira 2 and follow the trail into the Alpine Desert. Take the path that ascends to Lava Tower Camp, where you'll stop for lunch. Soon after passing the tower, you'll reach a second junction leading to the Arrow Glacier. Keep descending and spend the night at Barranco Camp.
Moorland Elevation: 3,050 m/9,950 ft to 3,810 m/12,500 ft Hiking length: 4-5 hours Hike Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Slowly cross the floor of the great Barranco Valley and climb up the Barranco Wall. Continue trekking along the South Circuit path to Karanga Valley, where the camp is set up for dinner and an overnight stay. This day is impressive as you witness the power, agility, and strength of your crew effortlessly scaling the wall. Spend the night at Karanga Camp.
Alpine Desert Elevation: 4,000 m/13,000 ft to 4,050 m / 13,250 ft Hiking length: 4-5 hours Hike Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Continue slowly upward toward Barafu Camp. Upon arrival, you complete the South Circuit, which offers breathtaking views of both Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Barafu Camp is located on an exposed and dangerous ridge, so familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark. Rest and prepare for the summit night.
Alpine Desert Elevation: 4,050 m/13,250 ft to 4,700 m / 15,350 ft Hiking length: 4-5 hours Hike Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Starting early between midnight and 2 a.m., this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. Head towards the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, staying warm and focused on the incredible sense of accomplishment ahead. Ascend through heavy scree to Stella Point on the crater rim, where you'll be rewarded with a magnificent sunrise during your short rest. Faster hikers may see the sunrise from the summit.
From here, it's about a one-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, likely through snow. Step by step, you reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa! Take a moment to enjoy this incredible achievement before beginning the steep descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a brief rest. We strongly recommend using gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel and volcanic ash terrain. A well-deserved rest awaits you at Mweka Camp, where you can enjoy your last evening on the mountain.
Glaciers Elevation: 4,700 m/15,350 ft to 5,895 m/19,340 ft Descent to 3,090 m /10,150 ft Hiking length: 11-14 hours Hike Distance: 5 km /3 miles up - 12 km/ 7miles down
After breakfast, continue down to Mweka Gate to collect your certificates. From there, you'll be driven back to Moshi for a well-deserved hot shower and a soft bed.
Rainforest Elevation: 3,090 m/10,150 ft to 1,680 m/5,500 ft Hiking length: 3-4 hours Hike Distance: 10 km/6 miles
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
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Sleeping Bag
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
Return transfer Kilimanjaro International Airport - Moshi
3 nights BB at Pink Flamingo Boutique Hotel
Return mountain gate transfers from Moshi
All Kilimanjaro National Park Entry, Camping (or Hut) and Rescue fees
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Trekking Pole $15/pair
Departure Transfer
Airport Departure Tax
Tourist Visa - Contact your Consulate in advance
Personal Hiking Equipment - Please bring daypack, clothing, and sleeping bag. Gear rental is also available--please reference your MyTrips documents for current rates.
Entry Visa Fees
Meals in Moshi
Medical and travel insurance
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.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
