Kilimanjaro Machame Route 6 Days
$1615
per personIn Kilimanjaro Machame route, all climbers sleep in tents (tents are included) and meals are served in a dinner tent. It is done over 6 days, so acclimatization is easier, and the success rate is fairly high.
If Marangu is the “Coca Cola” route, then the Machame Route is the “Whiskey” route. It is the second most popular and one of the most scenic routes on the mountain. All climbers sleep in tents (tents are included) and meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside. It is done over 6 days(Machame Route 6 Days), so acclimatization is easier, and the success rate is fairly high. It is for physically fit people with some hiking experience. Descent is down the Mweka trail staying at the Mweka or Millennium camp the final night on the mountain.
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DepartureMoshi Town to Machame Gate
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Departure TimePlease be ready by 8:15 AM for a prompt departure at 9:30 AM.
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Return TimeApproximately 10:30 AM in the last day.
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Dress CodeCasual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat, cold weather jacket, gloves, pants, spare clothing.
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IncludeAll Park FeesHelicopter Rescue Fees18% VAT on Tour Fees & ServicesCamping FacilitiesTransfers to and from the park for Kilimanjaro climbersCrew salariesSleeping tentsProfessional GuideSleeping MatMeals according to the Itinerary
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Not IncludedBicycle HelmetsAll bicycle transfersSnacks and fruits at water points for Cycling toursAccommodation as indicated on the Cycling tour itineraryTREK Mountain Hardtail 4300 & Merida Matts 20-D Hardtail Mountain BikesCycling Tour Support Vehicle(s)Village entry fees (for the day trips)Any services not mentioned aboveSafari Camping Equipment (tents, sleeping mats, chairs, tables etc.)Overnight stays in safari tentsProfessional Safari CookCamping safari according to the itineraryFlightsOther Optional ActivitiesAlcoholic and Soft DrinksAll Mentioned Safari ActivitiesBottled Mineral waterTransportation in 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for easy game viewing and photographyClimbing gearsMeals not listedEmergency oxygenVisa FeesPersonal expensesTravel insuranceTips and gratuitiesPersonal trekking equipmentAirport TransfersHotel Accommodations According to the Itinerary
From Our Gallery
It is the second most popular and one of the most scenic routes on the mountain. All climbers sleep in tents (tents are included) and meals are served in a dinner tent.
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Day 1: Machame Gate (1490m) – Machame Camp (2980m)
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 18 kilometers
Habitat: Montane forest
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to the Machame Village. In the village, you can buy mineral water and will receive a packed lunch. From the village, depending on the road conditions, you will either continue to drive from the village to the Machame gate, but if not, the muddy 3 km walk will take about 1 hour to complete. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience. You will have a welcome lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon.
Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will have erected your tent on your arrival. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite.
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Day 2: Machame camp (2980m) – Shira camp (3840m)
Hiking time: 6hrs
Distance: Approximately 9 kms
Habitat: Moorland
You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite at 3 840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
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Day 3: Shira (at 3840m) to Lava Tower (at 4630m) to Barranco camp (at 3950m)
Hiking time: 7hrs
Distance: Approximately 15 kms
Habitat: Semi-desert
The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m). This is definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear.
This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner.
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Day 4: Barranco camp (3950m)- Barafu camp (4550m)
Hiking time: 7hrs
Distance: Approximately 13 kms
Habitat: Alpine desert
After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than what you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you reach Barafu Hut.
The last water stop on the route is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.
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Day 5: (Summit attempt) Barafu camp (4550m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)
Hiking time: 8h to reach Uhuru Peak, 7 – 8h to descend to Mweka
Distance: Approximately 7 kms ascent – 23 kms descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north - westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers, this 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue.
Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared.
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Day 6: Mweka camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 3hrs
Distance: Approximately 15 kms
Habitat: Forest
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers).
And you will drive back to your hotel in Moshi.
Our Gallery
It is the second most popular and one of the most scenic routes on the mountain. All climbers sleep in tents (tents are included) and meals are served in a dinner tent.
| Number of People | Price in USD |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1,615 |
| 2 | 1,420 |
| 3 | 1,383 |
| 4 | 1,378 |
| 5 | 1,375 |
| 6 | 1,371 |
| 7 | 1,366 |
| 8 | 1,360 |
| 9 | 1,355 |
| 10 | 1,363 |
Hotels: We offer the following hotel options
| Hotel/Lodge Name | Price Per Night in USD |
|---|---|
| Panama Garden Resort (Single Room) | USD 80 per night |
| Panama Garden Resort(Double Room) | USD 100 per night |
| Panama Garden Resort (Triple Room) | USD 150 per night |
| The Secret Garden | USD 18 per night |
| The Hibiscus Moshi | USD 35 per night |
| Kilimanjaro Cottages (Single Room) | USD 35 per night |
| Kilimanjaro Cottages (Double Room) | USD 56 per night |
| Kilimanjaro Cottages (Triple Room) | USD 84 per night |
| Parkview Inn (Single Room) | USD 71 per night |
| Parkview Inn (Double Room) | USD 81 per night |
| Parkview Inn (Triple Room) | USD 160 per night |
| Kilimanjaro Wonders (Single Room) | USD 130 per night |
| Kilimanjaro Wonders (Double Room) | USD 145 per night |
| Kilimanjaro Wonders (Triple Room) | USD 160 per night |
| Private Toilet | USD 90 |
| Sleeping Bag | USD 40 |
| Duffel Bag | USD 20 |
| Head torch | USD 10 |
| Oxygen Cylinder | USD 76 |
| Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) to Moshi (one way) | USD 30 per vehicle |
| Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) (one way) | USD 30 per vehicle |
| Arusha to Moshi (one way) | USD 50 per vehicle |
| Moshi to Arusha (one way) | USD 50 per vehicle |