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Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trekking
  • Tour Category

    Group Tour

  • Tour Types

    Climbing, Camping, Volcano

  • Duration

    8 Days

  • Activity Level

    Medium

  • Language

    English, French, Spanish

Description

Trek up to Kili, Africa's highest mountain. Through the Machame Route, you will go past various landscapes and see diverse flora and fauna. Marvel at breathtaking views from atop Stella Point (5,735 m) and Uhuru Peak (5,895 m).

Highlights

Machame Route, also known as the “Whiskey” route, begins at Machame Gate, located in the southern base of Mount Kilimanjaro, within its green, abundant rainforest. We climb to the Shira Plateau, then traverse the mountain beneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Icefield, before summiting from Barafu Hut and descends using Mweka Gate. Machame 7 Day route is recommended because it provides an additional acclimatization day and shortens some of the daily hikes.

  • ARRIVE IN TANZANIA expand_more
    • Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), and there will be a private transfer waiting at the airport to pick you to Arusha.

    • Stay at Green Mountain Lodge, which is a beautiful hotel located on the lower slopes of Mount Meru and is a perfect place to prepare you for adventure.

    • Gather in the evening at 5:30 pm for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check. The guides will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.

    Dinner and overnight at Green Mountain Lodge: Bed, dinner, and Breakfast-included.

  • MACHAME GATE TO MACHAME HUT (FULL BOARD) expand_more
    • Start the climb from Machame gate (1830 m) with your Tanzanian mountain guide. 

    • Walk through the lush lower slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Slowly gaining altitude while enjoying the diverse flora and fauna of the rain forest, you will arrive at the first Machame Hut, situated at 3000m above sea level. If it is a clear day, you may get your first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo if the evening clouds permit.

    Machame Gate to Machame Hut (3,000 m): 6-7 hours walking.

  • MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP (FULL BOARD) expand_more
    • Enjoy a shorter day climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known as Picnic Site. 

    • Continue up a gentler ascent through the lower alpine moorland, which is known for beautiful wild alpine flowers. The most spectacular views of Kibo peak can be seen from Shira Camp.

    Machame Hut to Shira Camp (3,840 m); 4-6 hours walking.

  • SHIRA CAMP TO BARRANCO VALLEY (FULL BOARD) expand_more
    • Walk on a gentle ascent and panoramic views. 

    • Traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach.

    • Enjoy hot lunch at the bottom of the Lava Tower (4,600 m).

    • Descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,900 m) with your Tanzanian mountain guide.

    Shira Camp to Barranco valley (3,900 m): 5-7 hours walking.

  • BARRANCO CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP (FULL BOARD) expand_more
    • Embark on a steep climb up the eastern wall which leads to just below the Heim Glacier, where you may have some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. 

    • Take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides you from the southeastern slopes of Kibo, and the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley. 

    • Take a short break for a hot lunch.

    • Go on a steep climb out of Karanga, and an easy path on compacted scree with wide views through this empty and dry landscape up to Barafu Camp. The two peaks Kibo and Mawenzi can be seen from Barafu Camp. 

    • Have a hot meal at the camp.

    • Spend the remainder of the day resting as you prepare for the final ascent before an early night summit walk.

    Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (4,600 m): 7-9 hours walking.

  • BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA CAMP (FULL BOARD) expand_more
    • Wake up before midnight in the cover of darkness. 

    • Begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take you to the rim of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5,735m. 

    • Rest for a few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. 

    • Continue slowly to make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to main peak Uhuru (5,895 m), which is the highest point in Africa if you are still feeling good.  

    • Spend a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment.

    • Descend to Barafu which is amazingly fast.

    • Stop at Barafu Camp for some refreshment.

    • Continue to descend to reach Mweka Camp.

    Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp (3100 m): 13-15 hours walking.

  • DESCENT – MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE TO ARUSHA (FULL BOARD) expand_more
    • Embark on a gentle walk which takes you down through the rain forest to Mweka gate. Successful climbers will receive their summit certificates. 

    • After lunch, drive back to Arusha Safari Lodge.

    Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate: 3-5 hours walking.

    Dinner and overnight at Green Mountain Lodge: Bed, Dinner and Breakfast-included.

  • DEPARTING DAY expand_more
    • Say goodbye to the team of guides. Depart from Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in a private transfer for your flight. Unless you have an option to have a short safari or any other option, then you can discuss.

What's Included
  • Tanzania VAT on tourism activities and park fees.

  • Return transfers Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha and Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport.

  • Hotel lodging the night before and the night after the climb, with dinner and breakfast included (double occupancy) with bed dinner and breakfast.

  • Transfer from your hotel to starting point for your climb, and return to your hotel after your climb.

  • Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food.

  • All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping fees and climbing permits.

  • Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team).

  • Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summiting aid).

  • Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only).

  • Qualified Tanzanian mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cook.

  • Salaries for the mountain crew as per guidelines set by Kilimanjaro National Park.

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain.

  • Camping equipment (tents, camp chairs, tables & sleeping mattress).

  • Water for washing up daily.

  • Porter to carry your duffel bag (max weight 15kg / 32 lbs) from one camp to the next camp.

  • Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt.

  • A comprehensive Climbing Kilimanjaro travel info pack.

  • Flying Doctor Service.

What's Excluded
  • Flights and airport taxes.

  • Items of a personal nature.

  • Compulsory tips for guides, porters and cook (average tip is anything from USD 230 to USD 300 per hiker – depending on the number of days/how many hikers in the group and route chosen).

  • South African passport holders do NOT require a visa for Tanzania, however, most other nationalities require a visa for Tanzania.

  • Health requirements (Yellow Fever compulsory if travelling to Tanzania recommended).

  • Highly recommended travel and medical insurance.

  • Personal hiking/trekking gear – can rent some of the gear from the equipment store in Tanzania.

  • Optional but highly recommended portable toilet.

  • Snacks, personal medicine and water purifying tablets.

  • Meals & drinks not specified and snacks.

Know before you go
  • Normally March, April, and May are the months with long rains and should be avoided. November is usually short rains but it does not often rain all the days so climbing is possible. The best months for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro are January, February and also August and September. July can be colder and November to December can be wet. January to February are the warmest months, almost clear of clouds each evening and morning. The success rates with guides are outstanding compared to the overall success rates for all climbers who attempt to reach the top.

  • All airport transfers are the part of the package, no extra fee is required.

Meeting Point

Kilimanjaro Airport Road, Tanzania

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price Details
The group size and price
1 To 1USD 2500 Per Group
2 To 12USD 2050 Per Group

This is a group tour

Starting From

Fromss

see details
USD 2500 / group