Machame route 6 days
Machame route 6 days Kilimanjaro trekking is recommended for people with hiking experience. The Machame route is one of the most beautiful routes to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro. The climb begins in the lush rainforest and follows a path that offers occasional views of Mt Meru, Shira Ridge as well as the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The Machame route contains more steep passages and higher altitudes than the Marangu route and is slightly more physically demanding.
Highlights
Day 1-8
- Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania – drive to Moshi.
- Day 2: Trekking Machame Gate 1,790 meters to Machame Camp 3,010 meters.
- Day 3: Trekking Machame Camp 3,010 meters to Shira Camp 3,845 meters.
- Day 4: Trekking Shira Camp 3,845 meters to Lava Tower 4,640 meters to Barranco Camp 3,960 meters.
- Day 5: Trekking Barranco Camp 3,960 meters to Barafu Camp 4,640 meters.
- Day 6: Trekking Barafu Camp 4,640 meters to Uhuru Peak 5,895 meters to Mweka Camp 3,080 meters.
- Day 7: Trekking Mweka Camp 3,080 meters to Mweka Gate 1,630 meters to Moshi.
- Day 8: Departure from Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport.
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania – drive to Moshi.
You will be met on time of your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport by our transferring drive who you will welcome and escort you to the waiting vehicle then drive to Key’s Hotel in Moshi for the rest of the day your trek will start the next day morning. The rest of the day will be spent at the pool relaxing at the hotel or explore the town of Moshi. Your mountain guide will meet you in the evening for a briefing on the next morning trek.
- Accommodation: Key’s Hotel.
- Meal Plan: none.
Day 2: Trekking Machame Gate 1,790 meters to Machame Camp 3,010 meters.
After breakfast, you will be picked up at the Keys Hotel at 09:30 am and drive to Machame entrance gate of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park located about an hour’s drive away.
At the gate your guide will be busy with the registration forms and porters will be weighing the luggage, you can walk around the entrance gate seeing monkeys or watch the mountain team preparing for the climb and once this is all done, your Kilimanjaro trekking adventure will start.
In no time you will be deep within the wonderful mountain rainforest with very old trees, ancient ferns, liana, lichen, and moss that carpets the ground and drapes from the trees. You will hear and with a little luck, even spot the beautiful black and white colobus monkeys in the treetops.
After a walk of 5 to 6 hours, you will reach the day’s destination – the Machame Camp which is located just above the tree line at 3,010 meters. At the camp, at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro, you will have your first mountain hot dinner followed by an overnight stay in tents.
- Distance: 11 kilometers (7 miles)
- Habitat: Montane Forest, Heather and Moorland
- Elevation: 1,790 meters (5,870 feet) to 3,010 meters (9,870 feet)
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 5-6 hours
- Accommodation: Machame camp.
- Meal Plan: Full Board.
Day 3: Trekking Machame Camp 3,010 meters to Shira Camp 3,845 meters.
After early morning breakfast, you will start your second-day trekking, the path steepens and the landscape changes into moor- and heathland and the open landscape allows you to see the exciting mountain range.
The second day’s destination is shorter than the previous day and you will arrive at the Shira Camp by mid-afternoon. The camp has an incredible view of the mountain and during sunset, the sun lights the rock face and glacier of Kibo.
- Distance: 5 kilometers (3.1 miles)
- Habitat: Montane forest and moorland
- Elevation: 3,010 meters (9,875 feet) to 3,845 meters (12,615 feet)
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 4-5 hours
- Accommodation: Shira camp.
- Meal Plan: Full Board.
Day 4: Trekking Shira Camp 3,845 meters to Lava Tower 4,640 meters to Barranco Camp 3,960 meters.
Today you will climb up about 800 meters but you will be camping at an elevation only slightly higher than the previous night. This will allow your body to acclimatize better since you will have relatively altitude. The hike begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower 4,640 meters.
The vegetation becomes sparser as the landscape changes to an afro-alpine desert. The route passes through the wide Barranco Valley with its lobelia and giant Senecio plants. After a 6 to 7 hours walk, you will arrive at the most stunning camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp.
- Distance: 10 kilometers (6 miles)
- Habitat: Moorland and Alpine Desert
- Elevation: 3,845 meters (12,615 feet) to 4,640 meters (15,223 feet) to 3,960 meters (12,992 feet)
- Difficulty: Moderate to high difficulty
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 6-7 hours
- Accommodation: Barranco camp.
- Meal Plan: Full Board.
Day 5: Trekking Barranco Camp 3,960 meters to Barafu Camp 4,640 meters.
The trekking starts with the climb of the “Barranco Wall”. Safety is paramount and your guides will assist you wherever necessary. Following the ridge, as it traverses up and down, you can enjoy the splendid views of the south glacier of Kibo.
In the Karanga Valley, you will have lunch, followed by a 2 to 3 hours climb to Barafu Camp 4,640 meters. Once at the camp, you can relax, have dinner and call it an early night.
- Distance: 9 kilometers (5.6 miles)
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Elevation: From 3,960 meters (13,000 feet) to 4,640 meters (15,200 feet)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 7-8 hours
- Accommodation: Barafu camp.
- Meal Plan: Full Board.
Day 6: Trekking Barafu Camp 4,640 meters to Uhuru Peak 5,895 meters to Mweka Camp 3,080 meters.
After hot tea and light snacks, the trek begins at around midnight. By torchlight, you will climb the screes of Kibo. After 5 to 7 hours of ascending in the dark, you will arrive at Stella Point, the crater rim of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Another 1 to 2 hours climb along the crater ridge will lead you to Uhuru Peak (the summit) 5,895 meters. Here you will see Kilimanjaro in all its glory, enjoying the 360° view over the landscape below as the sun rises. You are now standing on the “Roof of Africa”.
After taking pictures and all your explorations the simple descent runs almost along the same route and shortly before midday you should arrive at Barafu Camp, where the porters and the cook will be waiting for you.
After a warm meal and a well-deserved break of approximately 1 to 2 hours, you will be on your way down to Mweka Camp 3,080 meters where supper and a well-earned rest await you.
- Distance: 18 Kilometers (12 Miles) – 5Km up and 13km down.
- Habitat: Alpine Desert, Stone scree and ice-capped summit
- Elevation: From Barafu Camp 4,640 meters (15,223 feet) to Uhuru Peak 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) to Mweka Camp 3,080 meters (10,070 feet)
- Difficulty: Very challenging.
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
- Accommodation: Mweka camp.
- Meal Plan: Full Board.
Day 7: Trekking Mweka Camp 3,080 meters to Mweka Gate 1,630 meters to Moshi.
The final ascend of your amazing Kilimanjaro trekking adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew.
Then a gentle 2 to 3 hours’ descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate, where your transferring driver will be waiting for you. He will take you back to Key’s Hotel in Moshi and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to rest, relax at the pool or celebrate your achievement.
- Distance: 10 kilometers (6.2 miles)
- Habitat: Montane and Rainforest
- Elevation: 3,080 meters (10,105 feet) to 1,630 meters (5,350 feet)
- Difficulty: Moderate to easy
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Accommodation: Key’s Hotel
- Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch.
Day 8: Departure from Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport.
After breakfast, you will be transferred on time to Kilimanjaro Airport or alternatively, you can extend your trip in Tanzania and go on safari or Zanzibar.
- Accommodation: none.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast.
THE CLIMB COST INCLUDES:
- Park fees
- All specified activities (unless labeled as optional)
- Accommodation as described in the itinerary
- Professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All meals as detailed in the day-by-day section
- Camping equipment
- Porterage services.
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
THE CLIMB COST EXCLUDES:
- Flights tickets
- Visa fee
- Climbing Gear
- Sleeping Bag
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry services
- Rescue Fee
- Tips for the mountain
2023 & 2024 prices
| NO. of PAX in one group | 1 PAX | 2 PAX | 3 PAX | 4 PAX | 5 PAX | 6 PAX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price pr. person | $1,076 | $629 | $448 | $413 | $373 | $347 |
Starting price per adult*
$5000
MORE SAFARI OPTIONS
- Lemosho Route
7 Days
- Lemosho Route
8 Days
- Lemosho Route
9 Days
- Machame Route
7 Days
- Machame Route
6 days
- Marangu Route
5 Days
- Marangu Route
6 Days
- Rongai Route
6 Days