7 Days Machame Route

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7 Days Machame Route

As you embark on this 6-day journey, you’ll enjoy the convenience of having all your equipment and supplies portered, while a dedicated cook prepares delicious meals for you each day. The route rewards hikers with breathtaking scenic views, from the stunning sunsets at Shira to the misty glimpses of Kibo at the Great Barranco Wall. Each day offers a new visual spectacle, creating a dynamic “slide show” of Kilimanjaro’s beauty.

One of the key advantages of the Machame Route is the emphasis on acclimatization. The route typically allows for a minimum of 6 days, providing valuable time for your body to adjust to the altitude. On Day 3, you will ascend to Lava Tower at 4,630 m, before descending nearly 700 m for an overnight stay at Barranco Camp (3,950 m). This strategic approach is essential for successful acclimatization and significantly increases your chances of reaching the summit.

Choose the Machame Route for a thrilling and rewarding Kilimanjaro experience that balances adventure with the beauty of nature!

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Day by Day Itinerary.

Upon arrival, a friendly driver will be waiting to whisk you away to your cozy hotel in Arusha. After settling in, join us for an engaging orientation session. Our expert guides will share key insights about your trek, and we’ll check your gear to ensure you’re fully prepared for the adventure that awaits!

Four Points by Sheraton Arusha

  • Luxury hotel located in Arusha (City)
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

Hiking Time: 7 hours
Distance: ~18 km
Habitat: Montane Forest

Your adventure begins early with a briefing from your tour organizer and guides. Afterward, enjoy a scenic 70-minute drive from your hotel (910 m) to Machame Village (1,490 m). Upon arrival, the guides and porters will prepare and pack your supplies and equipment. You’ll receive a packed lunch, and there’s an opportunity to purchase mineral water in the village.

 

Depending on road conditions, you may be able to drive directly to the Machame Gate. If not, a 1 km walk through muddy terrain will take approximately 30 minutes. After registering at the gate office, you'll commence your ascent, entering the lush rain forest almost immediately.

Be prepared for the possibility of rain, which can transform the trail into a foggy, muddy, and slippery path. Enjoy a welcome lunch stop about halfway through the hike before continuing to the Machame camping area, where you'll arrive in the late afternoon.

Your porters, who have arrived long before you, will have your tents set up upon your arrival. In the evening, they will boil drinking and washing water while the cook prepares a delicious dinner. As night falls, temperatures at Machame Camp can drop to freezing, so ensure you have warm clothing for a restful night under the stars.

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Tent 

Breakfast , Lunch and Dinner Inclusive 

Hiking Time: 6 hours
Distance: About 9 km
Habitat: Moorland

You’ll rise early at Machame Camp and enjoy a hearty breakfast before beginning your climb. After approximately an hour, you’ll reach the top of the forest and continue for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone.

 

Following a short lunch and rest, you’ll ascend a rocky ridge onto the Shira Plateau. As you progress, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the Western Breach and its impressive glaciers to the east.

After a short hike, you’ll arrive at the Shira Campsite at an altitude of 3,840 m. Here, your porters will boil drinking and washing water before serving a warm dinner. Prepare for a chilly night at this exposed camp, where temperatures can drop well below freezing, so ensure you have adequate layers to stay warm and cozy.

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climbing-kilimanjaro
 

Breakfast , and  Lunch Inclusive 

Distance: ~ 15 km
Habitat: Semi-desert

The route now turns east into a semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower. After about 5 hours of hiking, you will reach an altitude of 4,630 m. Lunch will be served in a designated area before you ascend the rocky scree path to Lava Tower, marking the toughest day of your trek so far.

 

At this altitude, many climbers may start to experience symptoms such as breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. After lunch, you will descend almost 680 m to the Barranco Camping Area, a journey that takes about 2 hours. This descent is crucial for acclimatization and offers fantastic opportunities for photography, particularly of the Western Breach and Breach Wall.

The Barranco Camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and the Great Barranco Wall, providing a stunning backdrop for a memorable sunset as you wait for dinner preparation. Enjoy a restful night at Barranco Camp, surrounded by the majestic beauty of Kilimanjaro.

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climbing-kilimanjaro
 
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: About 13 km
Habitat: Alpine desert

After a restful night at the Great Barranco Wall, you’ll tackle this impressive obstacle. Surprisingly, many hikers find the ascent easier than anticipated. Upon reaching the top, just below the Heim Glacier, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro’s beauty.

 

The route then descends through the Karanga Valley, crossing the last water point and navigating through a series of ridges and valleys. This section also connects to the Mweka Route, the preferred descent route from the summit, so keep this in mind for your journey ahead.

You will arrive at Karanga Valley Camp in the late afternoon, where you'll enjoy a hearty dinner and settle in for the night, preparing for the next leg of your adventure.

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Tent at camp

 

 
 
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

After enjoying breakfast at Karanga Valley Camp, you’ll embark on a scenic walk along a ridge, transitioning into a cold desert landscape for about four hours. You’ll arrive at Barafu Hut, where the crew will have collected water from the last water stop at Karanga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu.

 

Barafu, meaning “ice” in Swahili, is known for its bleak and inhospitable conditions. The campsite is exposed to strong winds, and the tents are set up on a narrow, stony ridge, making it essential to familiarize yourself with the terrain before nightfall to avoid any accidents.

With the summit now just 1,345 meters above you, preparations for the final ascent begin. Ensure your equipment, trekking poles, and thermal clothing are ready for the challenging climb ahead. Don’t forget to replace the batteries in your headlamp and camera, and carry spare batteries for emergencies. To prevent freezing, use a thermal flask for your water.

Retire to your tent by around 7 PM, aiming to rest well despite the excitement, but try to limit your sleep to about five hours in preparation for the upcoming ascent.

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Tent at camp

 

 
 
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Hiking Details for the Fifth Day on the Lemosho Route:

  • Hiking Time: ~7 hours
  • Altitude: 4,550 meters

After a restful night at Barranco Camp, you’ll face the impressive Great Barranco Wall, a stunning natural obstacle that often proves easier to navigate than anticipated. As you ascend just below the Heim Glacier, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views that showcase the true beauty of Kilimanjaro.

The trail then descends through the Karanga Valley, traversing ridges and valleys, leading you to the last water point on the mountain. After refilling your supplies, turn left up the ridge, and in about an hour, you'll arrive at Barafu Camp.

“Barafu,” meaning “ice” in Swahili, presents a stark and inhospitable camping area, where tents are pitched on a narrow, stony ridge exposed to the relentless winds. Familiarize yourself with the terrain before nightfall to avoid any accidents.

The summit now lies 1,345 meters above you, and you’ll prepare for the final ascent later that night. Ensure your equipment is ready, replace your headlamp and camera batteries, and pack a spare set. To prevent your water from freezing, carry it in a thermal flask.

Aim to get to bed around 7:00 PM, allowing for a short rest of about 5 hours before the thrilling challenge of summiting awaits.

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Tent at camp

 

 
 
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

– Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
– Distance: 10 km
– Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
– Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, descend through the lush rain forest to Mweka Park Gate, where you’ll receive your summit certificates. The trail can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles are helpful. Shorts and T-shirts will likely suffice, though it’s good to have rain gear ready. At the gate, a vehicle will be waiting to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha for a well-deserved rest.

 
No accommodation (End of tour)

 

 

 
(Dinner not included)

Inclusions

  • Park fees
  • All activities (unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
  • All Taxes/VAT
  • Roundtrip airport transfer
  • All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)

Exclusions

  • International flights (from/to home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Services not mentioned in this Trip
  • Items of a personal nature

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Frequently Asked Questions

The best months are January to mid-March and June to October, during the dry seasons.

Kilimanjaro is a non-technical climb, but the altitude and varying terrain make it challenging. Proper acclimatization is key.

Climbs typically take between 5 to 9 days, depending on the route and acclimatization schedule.

Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, and Northern Circuit are the most popular routes, each offering different experiences and scenery.

No prior experience is necessary, but good physical conditioning is important.

Essentials include layered clothing, trekking boots, a sleeping bag, warm gear, sunscreen, and water purification tablets. Gear checks are done before the climb.

Altitude sickness occurs due to low oxygen levels at high elevations. Acclimatize properly, ascend slowly, and stay hydrated to reduce risk.

Temperatures can drop below freezing, especially near the summit, ranging from -7°C to -29°C (20°F to -20°F).

Yes, tipping the guides, porters, and cooks is customary. Typically, around $250 to $300 per climber is standard.

There’s no electricity on the mountain. Bring power banks or solar chargers.

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