Embark on a thrilling 7-day Kilimanjaro trekking adventure via the Machame Route. Discover the rich history of the Machame area and experience the breathtaking beauty of Tanzania’s highest peak.
Day 01 – Moshi/Arusha – National Park Gate
Mount Kilimanjaro - The climb starts from Machame Gate (1,800 m.) after a short walk through the attractive banana and coffee farms of Machame village. The path follows a ridge through dense montane forest. This is the richest forested area on the mountain and also the zone from where 96% of the water on Kilimanjaro originates. On sunny days and especially in the dry season, this section is very lush and beautiful; it can also be a very muddy experience, particularly if it has rained. We have lunch at ‘halfway clearing’, a small opening in the trees, and then continue climbing steadily. The gradient becomes gentler as the forest slowly merges into giant heather, close to the next camp near the ruins of Machame (3,000 m.). We may get our first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo, if the evening clouds permit. (6-8 hours walking)
Overnight on the mountain on a full board basis.
Day 02 – Climb to Shira Plateau
Mount Kilimanjaro - A shorter day that begins by climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known as Picnic Rock. Here, there are excellent views of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau. It’s a good rest point too! The trail continues less steeply to reach the Shira Plateau. We camp near Shira Cave (3,7200 m.) which has some of the most stunning views on Kilimanjaro; close to the huge volcanic cone of Kibo, the spectacular rock formations of Shira Plateau and looking across to Mt. Meru floating on the clouds. (4-6 hours walking)
Overnight on the mountain on a full board basis.
Day 03 – Climb to Barranco Camp
Mount Kilimanjaro - A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4,550 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley (3,900 m.), sheltered by towering cliffs, with extensive views of the plains far below. (5-7 hours walking)
Overnight on the mountain on a full board basis.
Day 04 – Climb to Barafu Camp
Mount Kilimanjaro - A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the southeastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. Lunch is usually taken at Karanga , the last water point, in a steep valley. After lunch, the terrain changes to scree and we climb steeply to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m.) by mid afternoon. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, before a very early night. (6-8 hours walking). Overnight on the mountain on a full board basis.
Day 05– Summit Day
Mount Kilimanjaro - We start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m.), in about five or six hours. We rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,100 m.) at the edge of Mweka Forest. (11-15 hours walking)
Overnight on the mountain on a full board basis.
Day 06 – Moshi
Mount Kilimanjaro - A sustained descent through lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to the National Park gate at Mweka (4-6 hours walking). When we finish the climb, there will be a vehicle waiting to meet you and transfer you back to your hotel based in Moshi town centre.
Overnight at Springlands Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.
- Meet and greet services
- Assistance at the airport
- Mountain guide and porters included
- Transfers as specified
- Lunch provided
- Dinner included
- Breakfast provided
- Other Things on Personal nature
Machame is located on the southwestern flank of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. In 1889, Hans Meyer referred to it as a magnificent African colossus,[1] and described it as the most extensive and densely populated among all Chagga domains on Kilimanjaro,[2] with a ruler in 1849 considered a mighty African monarch whose power spanned all Chagga territories save for Rombo.[3] By the 1860s, a German adventurer known to the Chagga as Baroni, or Von der Decken, portrayed Machame as a union of western Chagga polities, including Narumu, Kindi, Kombo, reaching to Kibongoto’s western limit, each governed by their own leaders under Machame’s sovereign.[4] ‘Baroni’ remarked that at that time only two Chagga territories maintained a degree of independence from Machame’s monarch: Lambongo (which became Kibosho under the formidable leader Sina) and Kilema. The swift and decisive weakening of its control over neighboring Chagga lands occurred following a devastating assault that led to Machame’s subjection by Sina from Kibosho.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
