6 Days Machame Trail Kilimanjaro Mountain

ITINERARY

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Elevation: 1830m to 3000m, 6000ft to 10,200ft
Distance covered: Approximately 11 kilometers
Vegetation: Montane Forest
Approx. time taken: 5-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journeys pass through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, 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.

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Elevation: 3000m to 3840m, 10,200ft to 12,600ft
Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Vegetation: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 3800m to 4630m to 3986m, 15,000ft to 13,700ft
Distance covered: Approximately 11 kilometers
Vegetation: Semi-desert
Approx. time taken: 5-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 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 Sharks Tooth. Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4876m / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860m / 12,664 ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 3900m to 4600m, 13,007ft to 15,295ft
Distance covered: Approximately 9 kilometers
Vegetation: Alpine Desert
Approx. time taken: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (lunch at 4200m / 13,779 ft), and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m) 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft)
Distance: 5km ascent / 12km descent
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours ascent / 3 hours descent
Vegetation: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am),, we continue our way to the summit. 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 (5685m / 18,652 ft), 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 encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Beer and soda may be available for purchase at the Mweka Hut — the only location on this route.

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka gate

Elevation: 3100m to 1830m, 10,200ft to 6000ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Vegetation: Forest
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). A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to hotel in Moshi

MACHAME ROUTE FAQ

How difficult is the Machame route?
Average Moderate: This route is considered Moderate as it does not offer the same climb height. The longer you take to complete this trail, the higher the success rate will be. A 7-day hike often sees an 80% success rate, and a 6-day hike is much lower at 65%.

How many days do you need to see the Machame route?
The approximately trekking distance for the Machame Route is 62 km or 37 miles the entire climb from trail head up to the summit and all the way down to Mweka gate. The shortest number of days required for Machame Route is 6 days, but by the time you have added on arrival and departure days it is 10.

Why Machame is the best route?
It is the route of choice for many people because it provides impressive views and a variety of habitats. About 50% of all climbers, and most seasoned climbers, choose the Machame route for their trip. It is also one of the cheaper routes due to its easy access and shorter itinerary.

What is the difference between Machame and Lemosho route?
Being a more popular and cheaper option among the two, Machame route presents larger crowds compared to Lemosho route which is a more remote, quieter track. With a longer trek, a more remote experience, an added transport cost and a lesser competition among budget tour operators, Lemosho is the more expensive option

How busy is the Machame route?
The Machame route is the busiest of the Eight Kilimanjaro routes, with about 50% of Kilimanjaro climbers using it each year. It's also one of the most scenic Kilimanjaro routes.

What is the elevation profile of Machame route?
What is the altitude profile of the Machame route? The 7 days route on Machame allows for a first night at 3000m, then the following three nights at around 3900m, then the final camp at 4600m at midnight on day 6. Summit day involves ascending 1385m to Uhuru Peak and then descending all the way down to 3800m

Price Per Person

• GROUP SIZE (US-Dollar)
• 1 Person $ 1850
• 2-4 People $ 1790
• 5-7 People $ 1720
• 8-10 People $ 1650
• 10 ++People $ 1600

Price Include

• Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
• 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
• Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
• Park entry fees,
• Camping fees.
• 18% VAT on tour fees & services
• 4 Season mountain tents
• Double layered Sleeping Mats
• Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
• Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters.
• 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
• Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
• Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
• Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
• Hot water for washing.
• Government taxes
• Emergency first-aid kit.

Price Exclude

• Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
• Travel insurance.
• Flights.
• Laundry (Available at hotel).
• Personal items and toiletries.
• Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain.