Overview
Tackle Africa’s highest peak, Mt Kilimanjaro, via the Machame Route.
It is not for the faint-hearted – this will test you to your limits, mentally as well as physically. The main problems encountered are altitude sickness, which can be countered by use of medicines, and lack of oxygen. Good preparation and advice, as well as good guides on the mountain, have given us an over 95% success rate (the average is 60%) . Any reasonably fit person who enjoys walking can reach the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Machame Route is one of the most scenic routes up the mountain. After Umbwe Route, this is probably the most beautiful route by which to ascend.
All your supplies and camping equipment are portered up for you (tents, 20 – 25mm compressed foam sleeping mats, awnings, stools, lights, etc) and your meals are prepared. Your personal baggage limit is 12kg for the climb.
The guides employed are excellent (some have climbed Kili over 400 times)! They are employed by the Let’s view Tanzania, your base to help you, and have looked after a multitude of our clients. Each trip is led by a senior guide, with other guides in a ratio of approximately one guide per 2 or 3 climbers. If you are a bit slower than the rest or get ill and have to descend, a guide will always be with you.
Then, join us to climb Mount Kilimanjaro the Africa’s highest free standing mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, in one of Africa’s iconic marathons, the Kilimanjaro Premium Lager Marathon.
The route passes through many smallholding farms, villages, banana and coffee plantations, providing great excitement to the locals who give ample vocal support. It’s really a vibey race!
Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our representative will meet you and assist with the transfer to your accommodation in Moshi, the starting point for your Trekking.
> Meals: Breakfast
> Accommodation: Park view Hotel or Kilimanjaro the Crane
* Elevation Gain: 1,200 meters, 3,935 feet
* Distance: 9 kilometers
At 9am, leave Moshi for Machame Gate, where you will meet our porters and cooks that will spend the next seven days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. Once you arrive, you will have a chance to wait at the gate while the staff registers your climb and the porters and guides make final preparations.
Your first day's destination is Machame Camp. Each day, porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival. On the first day, hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro's cloud forest. The forest will thin at the end of the hike and vegetation will change to include heathers, tall grasses, and wildflowers. If the weather is clear, view the surrounding area and your ultimate destination, Kibo Peak.
> Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
* Elevation Gain: 840 meters, 2,760 feet
* Distance: 7 kilometers
Although considered to be the easiest day on the Machame Route, today's trek includes several uphill sections. Carry plenty of drinking water, as the exposed hike can be hot on a clear day. There are several viewpoints from which you can see the plains and forests below and Kibo and Mawenzi peaks above.
As you gain altitude, notice the change in vegetation. The trees diminish in size, giving way to Kilimanjaro's famous high-altitude plants, Scenario and Lobelia deckenii. After eating lunch, climb the Shira Plateau, created when Kibo's lava flows filled the Shira crater. Continue to Shira Camp, where you will relax for the rest of the day. Kibo lies to the west and Mount Meru to the east.
> Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
* Total Elevation Gain: 690 meters, 2,264 feet
* Distance: 10 kilometers
Although this up and down day ends with an elevation gain of only 110 meters, by early afternoon you will have climbed 690 meters to a height of 4,530 meters before beginning your descent to Barranco Camp. This day is crucial for acclimatization. After breakfast, hike east on the Shira Plateau before reaching the junction for the Shira and Lemosho Routes.
Continue on through the barren landscape before stopping for lunch. Shortly after lunch, reach the highest point of the day before descending quickly to Barranco Camp. Faster hikers can take a detour via Lava Tower, a 300-foot lava formation jutting out of the mountainside.
Barranco Camp, set among stands of Senecio Kilimanjaro, is considered to be the most scenic campsite on the Machame Route.
> Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
*Elevation Gain: 250 meters, 820 feet
*Distance: 7 Kilometers
Leave Barranco Camp after breakfast for Karanga Valley. The day begins with a 1.5 hour scramble up Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places, you will have to use your hands to pull your body up. After reaching the top make a short descent into the greener Karanga Valley. We generally camp on the ridge above the valley to allow for greater acclimatization.
> Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
* Elevation Gain: 400 meters, 1,320 feet
* Distance: 6 kilometers
After breakfast, begin the hike to Barafu Camp. On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo's glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail. During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. Although the trail to Barafu passes through alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Try to sleep as soon as you finish dinner as you will awake before midnight for your summit hike.
> Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
* Elevation Gain: 1,295 meters, 4,240 feet
* Elevation Loss: 2,795 meters, 9,170 feet
* Distance: 18 kilometers
Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. For the next six hours, hike by the light of your headlamp. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point. 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 hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour.
Upon reaching Uhuru, take as many photos as you would like, enjoy the scenery and the views and you allowed to do anything that you would enjoy to do before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers. At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.
> Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
* Elevation Loss: 1,600 meters, 5,250 feet
* Distance: 10 kilometers
After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro's cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery. Our vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Moshi.
At Mweka Gate gate you sign your name and details in a register book. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive Golden certificates.
You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner descent bed, and celebrations!!
> Meals: Lunch | Breakfast
> Accommodation: Park view Hotel or Kilimanjaro the Crane
This day is dedicated to rest and preparation for the Kilimanjaro Full/Half Marathon. You'll have the opportunity to collect your race number and explore the town of Moshi at your leisure. Take this time to relax and ensure you're ready for the race.
> Meals: Breakfast
> Accommodation: Park view Hotel or Kilimanjaro the Crane
Today is the highlight of your trip—the Kilimanjaro Half Marathon. You'll join fellow participants from around the world in this challenging and memorable race. The course takes you through stunning landscapes, with views of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop.
> Meals: Breakfast
> Accommodation: Park view Hotel or Kilimanjaro the Crane
After breakfast, we'll arrange your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport, ensuring you depart with wonderful memories of your Kilimanjaro adventure.
We always advise clients to choose the seven-day over the six-day Machame route. This is because we don’t think the latter offers enough time for your body to acclimatise properly. Proper acclimatisation is essential for avoiding altitude sickness.
That said, it’s a personal choice and we’re happy to lead climbers on both the six- and seven-day Machame routes. You can find both itineraries spelled out in our Machame route blog post.
The total distance of the Machame route is 62 km (39 miles), making it the third shortest Kilimanjaro route. See a detailed breakdown of the Machame route.
Yes, the Machame route leads you up the magnificent Barranco Wall. This is a highlight of the trek for many.
What is Included
- High-quality mountain sleeping tents
- Kilimanjaro Marathon Ticket
- 4 nights’ accommodations (Panama Garden Resort, Moshi Bed and Breakfast)
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
- Guaranteed entry to the Marathon or Half Marathon
- All Park fees
- Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Arrival and Departure transfers
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs:
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food:
- Clean, purified drinking water:
- Crisis management and safety procedures:
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters:
- Sleeping Mattress
What is Excluded
- Tanzania Visa
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed above
- Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc.)
- Tips (guide, porters and cooks) and any items of personal nature.
- Flight Ticket
- Person Climbing Gear
