Machame Route

ITINERARY

Day 1: Machame Gate To Machame Camp

Elevation:  5,400 ft to 9,400 ft
  Distance: 11 km or 6.8 miles
           Time:  5 hours
         Zone:  Rainforest

We start at the Machame Gate, at the altitude of  5,400 feet. The Machame Gate starts on the Southern Side of the mountain. We make our way through the Rainforest zone, until we reach our first campsite: Machame Camp.
 

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Elevation:  9,400 ft to 12,500 ft
  Distance:  5 km or 3 miles
           Time:  4-6 hours
         Zone:  Heather or Moorland

Starting at 9,400 feet, we climb to 12,500 feet. We enter a new ecological zone called the Moorland / Heather Zone. Trees are more scarce and small plants become more common in this zone. We have lunch, and continue to head to our next campsite: Shira 2 Camp.
 

Day 3: Lava Tower Acclimitization

Shira Camp to Lava Tower

Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
  Distance: 10 km or 6.2 miles
           Time: 6 hours
         Zone: Alpine Desert

Starting at 12,500 feet, we climb to 15,190 feet. This is our acclimitization day, and we have our lunch at the Lava Tower. The landscape becomes more and more desolate as desert starts to take over. The views of the Great Breach Wall are fantastic from this camp, probably better than anywhere else on the mountain. After resting at Lava Tower, we head towards our next camp: Barranco Camp. We camp at Barranco Camp. Since Lava Tower is at a higher altitude than Barranco Camp, we descend from 15,190 feet to 12,960 feet.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 13,000ft to 13,100ft
Distance: 5 km or 3 miles
Time: 4 hours
Zone: Alpine Desert

Today's mission is to climb over the Great Barranco Wall and reach the Karanga Valley Camp. It is a short distance, but it gives our bodies what we need to acclimatize. This day is great for acclimitization as well, as we climb high and sleep low. We will be camping overnight at Karanga Camp.

Day 5: Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp

Elevation:  13,100ft to 15,300ft
  Distance:  4 km or 2.4 miles
           Time:  4 hours
         Zone:  Alpine Desert

Starting at 13,100 feet, we climb to 15,300 feet. We will be hiking to Barafu Camp, which is near the peak, and as a result provides us with perfect views to take pictures. We will be going to sleep at about 7 pm, in order to wake up at 11 pm for our summit climb. We sleep overnight at Barafu Camp, in order to prepare for our biggest day: Summit Day.

Day 6: Summit Day

Barafu Camp to Summit

Elevation: 15,300ft to 19,345ft
  Distance: 5 km or 3 miles
           Time: 7 hours
         Zone: Arctic

Starting at 15,300 feet, we will climb to Uhuru Peak, which is at 19,365 feet. We will wake up at 11 pm the night before and start our climb of approximately 4,000 feet to the summit for an amazing sunrise.

We descend via Stella Point, all the way down to Mweka Camp (10,000 feet) in the Tropical Rainforest Zone.

Day 7: Mweka Gate & Official Certificate

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 10,000ft to 5,400ft
  Distance: 10 km or 6.2 miles
           Time: 4 hours
         Zone: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue to climb down to Mweka Gate, at approximately 5,400 feet. This is where we sign the official register, have a cold drink, and get presented our official certificate by our Head Guide. We then head to our bus, where we leave for our hotel and a well deserved shower.

7-Day Machame Route for 2 people costs $6,700 USD

Please make sure you read our Terms of Service before booking with us! 

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Three nights at a hotel, in a standard room, including breakfast

• Pick ups / drop offs at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

• Transfers to/from the hotel and the Kilimanjaro trailhead

• Mountain Hardwear Trango 4 tent

• All meals in a private mess tent (three meals per day)

• Porters/team for the climb

• Filtered water

• Private toilet tent

• Hot water bottle

• Foam mattress and pillow

• Chairs at camp

• Facebook updates

Our climbing team carries and has been trained to use our emergency safety equipment consisting of a Pulse Oximeter, Oxygen Cylinder, Hyperbaric Chamber and Automated External Defibrillator(AED).

NOT INCLUDED

• Airfare to Tanzania

• Travel and Medical Insurance

• Cost of Visa

Tipping

We recommend tipping a minimum of
$ 300 USD per climber. These funds are lumped together with other guests and distributed amongst all the team based ranking.

Route Overview

PACKING LIST

We compiled all the necessary clothing and equipment needed for any trekker in one simple list at your convenience. If you have any questions about the packing list, please do not hesitate to send us an e-mail.