Machame Route
The Machame Route, with its varied landscape and fantastic views, offers a unique experience to test the willpower, physical endurance and mental strength of climbers.
It passes through the lush rainforest, where the colobus monkeys live, in the moorland with its numerous ferns and heather, until it reaches the ice of the top of Kilimanjaro.
The different altitudes between those reached during the day and those lower than where you will spend the night, offer a good acclimatization, increasing the chances of reaching the summit.
Overnight stays on the Machame Route will be in tents. For any information you can check our guide.
Machame Route: day by day program
Day 1 – Pick up at Kilimanjaro
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, you will be met by one of our guides and transferred to Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel in Moshi. The rest of the day is free. In the evening, a preparation and control briefing for trekking will be organized.
Day 2 – Moshi – Machame Gate (1,790m) – Machame Camp (3,010m)
Walking time: 6-7 hours.
In the morning we will leave for the Machame gate. After completing the administrative formalities, you will start walking through the dense rainforest, with its large old trees, primordial ferns and endemic flowers, such as the Impatiens kilimanjari. We will reach the Camp in about 6 hours.
Day 3 – Machame Camp (3,010m) – Shira Camp (3,845m)
Walking time: 5-6 hours.
We will start early in themorning to reach Shira Camp in the middle of the afternoon. The climb is also accompanied by a change in the landscape: from the lush, green rainforest to the moorland. Arriving at the camp you will have a splendid view of the mountain and the Kibo glaciers.
Day 4 – Shira Camp (3,845m) – Lava Tower Hut (4,640m) – Barranco Camp (3,960m)
Walking time: 6-7 hours.
Today you will go up for about 800 m but the Camp for the night will be at a slightly higher height than the previous night. This will allow the body to acclimatise. The trek begins with a long climb over the Shira plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower. Vegetation becomes scarcer as the landscape changes in an Afro-Alpine desert. After 6-7 hours, you will arrive at the most beautiful camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp.
Day 5 (optional day) – Barranco Camp (3,960m) – Karanga Camp(4,035m)
Walking time: 3-4 hours.
Acclimatization day. The Barranco Wall is the wall to climb. Some phases require the use of the hands for a better grip, but climbing is not necessary- You will be always under the control of the guide. The path with its many climbs and descents allows further acclimatization.
The trek will take between 3 and 4 hours, leaving more than enough time to rest at Karanga Camp.
Day 6 – Karanga Camp (4,035m) – Barafu Camp (4,640m)
Walking time: 3-4 hours.
Today’s destination is Barafu Camp. Most of the day will be spent walking on a very dry desert terrain, with the Kibo always present on the left side. After 3-4 hours you will reach Barafu Camp, where you will have dinner as soon as the highlight of the trip is only a few hours away…
Day 7 – Barafu Camp (4,640m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp (3,080m)
Walking time: 12-14 hours.
Today is the big day. It will start in the middle of the night. The moon and torches will be the only source of light as you climb up to Stella Point (5,730 m), reaching the edge of the crater in about 5-7 hours. Another 1-2 hours separate us from Uhuru Peak, where you can enjoy the sun rising over the African landscape.
The descent to return to Barafu Camp is along the same route, where you can rest and relax a bit before heading to Mweka Camp for the last night on Kilimanjaro.
Day 8 – Mweka Camp (3,080m) – Mweka Gate (1,630m) – Arusha
Walking time: 2-3 hours.
Once again it will descend through the rainforest, with the opportunity to spot colobus monkeys, finally reaching the Mweka gate of Kilimanjaro National Park. Arrived at the park entrance we will continue with private vehicle for the Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa in Arusha.
Day 9 – Arusha – Kilimanjaro
After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport. Alternatively, you can extend your trip with a safari or a relaxing beach holiday.
