Machame Route
- Duration - 7 Days
- Price Starts from $ 1,850
- Tour type - Mountain Trek
- Travellers - 2+
TOUR INTRODUCTION
7 Days in climbing via machame route 2 days in Hotel
Seven main route used to climb mount kilimanjaro, machame route is the most popular path. It is the route of choice of many people because it provides impressive views and variety of habitats. About the 50% of all climbers, and most seasoned climbers chooses the Machame route. It is also one of the cheapest route due to its access and shorter itinerary. The trek begins at machame gate, located in the southern base of mountain, which is just short drive from moshi or Arusha.
The hike start within kilimanjaro’s lush, fertile, Montane rainforest. As you might expect the lower slopes receive a quite a bit of precipitation. The trail may be steep and slippery ,so trekking pole are advised. As the route head towards the shira plateau, the tree disappears and are replaced by low brush in the hither zone.
Then the route climbs high to the volcanic plug, lava Tower, before dropping and circling below the south ice field.
- Kilimanjaro International Airport To Moshi
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. You will meet our professional guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
- Driving distance: 55 km/miles,
- Driving Time: 1hour
- Habitat: Cultivated zone
- Hotel: Bed and Breakfast
- DAY 1: Moshi – Machame Gate– Machame Camp
From moshi town to machame gate then to machame camp
This morning you will take a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, before setting out in our vehicle at around 08.00hrs to allow for a scheduled arrival at Machame Gate at 09.00hrs. Our first job will be to complete the registration formalities, before we start our trek. You will also enjoy the introduction to your mountain team: your guides, porters and everyone else who will accompany you as you make your ascent.
Today’s walk is a long one, in pure numbers, you will gain around 1332 metres of altitude over a distance of just under 11km/7miles and can expect to be walking for between 5 and 6 hours.
The beginning of the walk today is characterised by a wide track that winds its way up through dense forest, beautiful tall trees laden with green moss. As the route becomes steeper and narrower, so the vegetation changes and the appearance of flowers such as impatiens Kilimanjaro and impatiens pseudoviola introduce some bright colours to the scenery. You will also be able to see Kibo Peak, away to the east. The birdlife around the camp is surprisingly rich, so look out for species such as olive thrush and stonechat. We hope to reach camp at about 17.00hrs, giving you a couple of hours of welcome rest before dinner is served.
- Accommodationin: in tents at Machame Camp
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch box and Dinner
- Journey time and Altitude: 5-6 hours walking, from 1640m at Machame Gate to 2972m at the Machame Camp
- Walking distance11km/7miles
- DAY 2: Machame Camp – Shira Cave
Today’s stage is short and steep, as we push on up to an altitude of over 3804 metres. Our hard work in the morning, on a narrow path, is well rewarded at lunchtime with wonderful vistas both to the south and over to Kibo. Surely there can be no better location for lunch
Having made an early start around 08.30hrs, we would expect to reach our camp by 14.00hrs, by which time we will have encountered the moorland lobelias and the distinctive dark obsidian rock of Shira Plateau for the first time. From Shira Caves, you will have time to marvel at some great natural sights such as the so-called ‘Shira Cathedral,’ Klute Peak before enjoying your dinner around 18.00hrs.
- Accommodation: In tents at Shira 2 Camp
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch box and Dinner
- Journey time and Altitude: 4-6 hours, 2972m at Machame Camp to 3804m at Shira Caves
- Walking distance: 5km/3miles
- DAY 3: Shira Cave – Barranco Camp
Today’s stage is considerably different in character from yesterday’s, with a much longer trek. We start at 3804 metres, of course, but even though we cover nearly 10km/6miles, our gain in altitude will be a modest 146 metres by the time we reach Barranco Camp at around 16.00hrs. During our hike, however, we will climb to the base of the Lava Tower which is located at a lofty 4630 metres, before we descend again for our overnight stay. Although this may seem a bit of a waste, in fact it helps enormously with the crucial process of acclimatizing at altitude.
The overall distance today means that we will actually be walking for around 6 to 8 hours, excluding breaks. Once again, our day will begin with breakfast at 07.00hrs and departure at 08.30hrs, when we begin our trek across the stony landscape of Shira Plateau. The vegetation is sparse at first, with just a few hardy lichens to admire. You climb towards the Lava Tower and your picnic lunch is taken at 13.00hrs. After passing the highpoint of the day by the Lava Tower, we then descend down to the Barranco Camp. Once at camp, you should take time to admire the views of the southern face of Kibo as well as the Heim Glacier. Dinner tonight is served at 19.00hrs
- Accommodation: in tents at Barranco Camp
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch box and Dinner
- Journey time and Altitude: 6 to 8 hours, from 3804 at Shira Caves, up to Lave Tower at 4630m, then down to Barranco Camp at 3950m.
- Walking distance: 10km/6miles
- DAY 4: Baranco Camp – Karanga Camp
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
- Meals plan: breakfast, cooked lunch and dinner.
- Journey time and altitudes: 4-5 hours walking 3950m at barranco camp to 4033 at karanga camp
- Walking distance: 5km/3 miles
- Accommodation: in tents at karanga camp
- Vegetation: alpine desert
- DAY 5: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4556m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
- Meal plan: breakfast, cooked lunch and dinner
- Journey time and altitude: 4-5 hours walking from 4033m at karanga camp to 4556m at barafu camp
- Accommodation: in tents at barafu camp
- Vegetation: Alpine Desert
- DAY 6: Barafu Camp – Uhuru – Millennium Camp
You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first checkpoint is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), which will be around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 hours trekking to reach Uhuru Peak so dig deep for the energy. The slope flattens as you head west around the crater rim and you should arrive at the summit at or just after sunrise. Your stay here will be brief so get as many pictures as you can of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps back around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for your final night on the mountain. In total you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on day eight, so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated and keep your blood sugar levels up.
- Distance: 5km/3miles and 7km/4mile
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours and 2-4 hours
- Eleven: 15,331 ft to 19,341ft and 12,434 ft
- Accommodation: in tent at Millenium camp
- Vegetation: Arctic to Heath
- DAY 7: Millennium Camp – Mweka Gate- Moshi Town
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower then celebrate with cold drinks. Overnight at your arranged Hotel
- Distance: 12km/7miles,
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours,
- Eleven:12,434 ft – 5,380 ft
- Meal Plan: Brunch and Dinner
- Vegetation: Rain forest
- Meal Plan: Brunch and Dinner
- Depart Tanzania
This day left for your next destination. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to Zanzibar or fly back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.