Climb mount Kilimanjaro Via Machame Route
From US $2,390
Planning to climb mount Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa…Zazu Tanzania Safaris leads Kilimanjaro climb adventures via the Machame route, a beautiful route on Mount Kilimanjaro.
This route is the most popular to climb mount Kilimanjaro as it allows you to experience the southwest and south sides of the mountain, since you go up one way and down another.
Machame, which is referred to as the “Whiskey Route,” is a good option for trekkers who are happy to brave a more challenging climb with some steep terrain and long days.
During your climb Kilimanjaro adventure, all your equipment and supplies are carried by porters and a cook prepares all your meals. Unlike the Marangu Route where you sleep in huts, on the Machame you sleep in tents (tents are included), and the porters will pitch your tent for you. Meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside.
The Machame Route is normally completed in 6 days, but to be for better results of your climb mount Kilimanjaro adventure, we recommend to do it in 7 days in case you would prefer more time of acclimatization.
The Machame Route takes you high to Lava Tower (4,630 m/15,190 ft.) on day 3 then brings you down for an overnight at Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,960 ft.). This intermediate ascent and descent is the secret to successful acclimatization and is the reason that this route has a high success rate of reaching to the summit.
Day 1: Arrival!
Arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by one of our experienced driver guides, ready to greet and escort you to Onsea Lodge in Arusha or similar hotel.
Day 2: The Climb Mount Kilimanjaro Adventure Starts Today!
Moshi (915 m/3,000 ft.) to Machame Gate (1,490 m/4,890 ft) to Machame Camp (2,980 m/9,780 ft.) 18 km, 5-7 hours Montane Forest
After an early breakfast in Moshi or Arusha get ready for your climb mount Kilimanjaro adventure. Transfer to Machame Gate where you will meet the whole team of porters, guides, and cooks that will spend the next six or seven day trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the highest point of Africa.
After registering at the park office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest immediately. Heavy rains on this side of the mountain often transform the trail into a soggy, slippery experience, so good foot-gear, trekking poles, and gaiters are useful.
You will enjoy a welcome lunch stop halfway up and will reach the Machame camp in the late afternoon. Your porters will arrive at camp before you and will pitch your tent before you arrive. In the evening, the porters boil drinking and washing water while the cook prepares your dinner. Night temperatures can drop to freezing at the Machame Camp.
Day 3:
Machame Camp (2,980 m/9,780 ft), to Shira Camp (3,840 m/12,600 ft), 5 hours
On your day 3 of climb mount Kilimanjaro adventure you hike to Shira Camp. The first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira Plateau where you will be able to see Kilimanjaro’s great Western Breach with its stunning glaciers.
Sometimes, the walls of the Western Breach are draped with extensive ice curtains. After a short hike west, you reach the Shira campsite. The porters will boil drinking and washing water before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will be colder, with temperatures dropping below freezing .
Day 4:
Shira Camp (3,830 m/12,600 ft.), to Lava Tower (4,630 m/15,190 ft.), to Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,960 ft.), 7 hours
Today you will hike east up a steepening path above the highest vegetation toward Kilimanjaro’s looming mass. After many hours of walking through a rocky landscape, you will reach the prominent landmark called Lava Tower at 4,630 m/15,190ft.
Lunch is taken as a picnic lunch en route to Lava Tower, then we descend for 2 hours below the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall to Barranco Camp at 3,950 m/12,960 ft. Stay alert for great photos opportunities on this hike! On this day, be careful to notice any ticking signs of altitude sickness.
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,960 ft.) to Karangara Camp (3,994 m/ 12,960 ft.)
From Barranco camp, famous for its giant groundsels (Senecio species), you ascend the Barranco wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga camp. Today is a relatively short day of your Kilimanjaro climb day by day hikes and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. In the afternoon a walk can be taken with your guides for great views of the southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys. Overnight at Karanga Camp.
Day 6:
Karanga Camp (3,994 m/12,960 ft.), to Barafu Camp (4,550 m/14,930 ft.), 8 hours
After spending a night under the imposing Great Barranco Wall, you climb this awesome obstacle, which turns out to be easier than it looks. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley and goes over intervening ridges and valleys to join the Mweka Route, which will be your descent route.
You have now completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. For now, all eyes are still on the summit, so turn left and hike up the ridge for another hour to the Barafu Hut.
Preparing your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb is imperative. This should include replacing your headlamp and camera batteries, and to prevent freezing, consider carrying your water in a thermal flask, all of this is for the safety of your climb mount Kilimanjaro adventure. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the evening.
Day 7:
Barafu Camp (4,550 m/14,930 ft), to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft.), to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft), 7 km up, 23 km down 8 hours up, 7-8 hours down
This night carries the main goal of your climb mount Kilimanjaro adventure. You will be waken up at midnight to begin your ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa!.
For the next six hours, you will hike by flashlight which will be a complete different experience of climb mount Kilimanjaro adventure. The ascent from Barafu to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire six-day of Kilimanjaro trekking adventure.
For much of the hike, you will walk on a gravel slope that causes you to slip back slightly with every step forward.
The going is extremely slow until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point (5,685 m / 18,650 ft.). The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult.
The altitude, however, makes the climb mount Kilimanjaro adventure a psychological battle, and you will need to go very slowly to reach the top. The guide will advise you on how to make the hike easier. The crater rim hike takes about forty-five minutes and you should reach Uhuru Peak around sunrise.
After your 3-hour descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, you will have a well-earned but short rest, collect your gear, and hike down a rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft.).
This camp is in the upper forest, so you can expect mist or rain in the late afternoon. Dinner, and washing water will be prepared, and the camp office sells drinking water, soft drinks, chocolates, and beer!
Day 8: Mweka Camp – Arusha!
Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft.), to Mweka Gate (1,980 m/6,500 ft), to Moshi (890 m/2,920 ft.), 3 hours
Begin the hike back to Moshi and then Arusha through the beautiful rain forests.
After a well-deserved breakfast, it is a short, scenic, 3-hours hike back to the park gate. Don’t give your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely, but do remember to tip your staff at the gate.
-Its Time to be Rewarded for your Climb Mount Kilimanjaro Adventure!
At Mweka Gate, you can sign your name and add details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates, These certificates will indeed keep unforgettable memories of your Kilimanjaro climb adventure.
In the Mweka Village, you will be served a delicious hot lunch after which you are driven back to Arusha for an overdue hot shower and comfortable night in the hotel. Accommodation & meals at Green Mountain Lodge.
Trip Inclusions/Exclusions
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Arusha (before & after climb)
- Group transport to and from the ascent and descent gate
- Mount Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping or hut fees, rescue fees
- All the government taxes
- Professional mountain guides, assistant guides, porters and chiefs.
- Supplementary oxygen
- Private portable toilet
- Mountain tents , double occupancy
- Portable beds & sleeping mats
- Portable shower tents
- Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
- Three meals a day
Not included in price:
- Airfare
- Personal Gear & equipment
- Tips for your guides, cooks and porters
- Lunch or dinner at hotel
- Beverages at hotel
Costs of additional services:
- Single supplement, for single tent, per trip $200
- Extra night of hotel accommodation
- Sleeping bag available for rental, per trip $40
- Trekking poles available for rental, per trip $20
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