Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below
Overview
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, 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.
What's included
Private transportation
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast
WiFi on board
What to expect
Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Hike to Machame Camp
Kilimanjaro National Park
7h
Drive from your Hotel to Machame Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
• Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
• Distance: 11km/7mi
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest
• Meals: LD
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Mount Kilimanjaro
6h · Admission ticket included
After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.
• Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
• Distance: 5km/3mi
• Walking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
• Meals: BLD
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Mount Kilimanjaro
6h · Admission ticket included
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
• Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
• Distance: 10km/6mi
• Walking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Semi-desert
• Meals: BLD
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
Mount Kilimanjaro
8h · Admission ticket included
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elev 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp with views of the summit in the distance.
• Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
• Distance: 9km/6mi
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals: BLD
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
Mount Kilimanjaro
7h · Admission ticket included
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit
between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and
ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most
mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a
short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to
see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the
summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro
and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp,
stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose
gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the
mountain.
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi
Kilimanjaro National Park
5m
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Experience Zanzibar Tours & Safaris vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).
• Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
• Distance: 10km/6mi
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Forest
• Meals: B
Meeting and pickup
Pickup details
We contact our clients for pickup location
Additional information
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
