Overview
The Machame route is our most popular and successful route leading to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Hikers sleep in tents which are carried up the mountain by porters. The Machame route is a very scenic and beautiful route, which can be completed in 6 days; however we strongly recommend hiking the route in 7 days, allowing for more time to acclimatize. The key to the success of the Machame route is its topography, allowing hikers to climb high and sleep low, helping towards better acclimatization. There are however two drawbacks on this route:
Tour Features
Hut Camping
This safari uses selected accommodation and services matched to the chosen tour style.
Shared Tour
This safari may be operated with other travelers.
Solo Travelers
Suitable for solo travelers.
Customizable
This itinerary can be customized.
Start Date
This safari starts on selected scheduled dates.
Highlights
Machame Camp (3000m) – Shira Camp (3880 m) Walking time 4-5 hours.
Shira Camp (3880 m) – Barranco Camp (3980 m) Walking time 5, 5-7Stunden.
Barranco Camp (3980 m) – Karanga Camp (4033 m), walking time about 3 hours.
Karanga Camp (4033 m) – Barafu Camp (4673 m), walking time about 3 hours.
Barafu Camp – Summit – Mweka Camp, walking time about 13-15 hours.
Mweka Camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1800 m) – hiking time approx. 5 hours.
Your Safari Map
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Safari Itinerary
Through Busch forests and moorland leads past the way of powerful Lava bridges. A little later the first Seneca’s and lobelia can be seen. Around noon, where this section is mostly shrouded in dense fog.
Accommodation
shira camp
The ascent through the dark, almost vegetation-free gravel desert of lava rock. With a bit of luck here the Kili shows for the first time up close! The path leads up to just below the Lava Tower (up to about 4450 m) and then down into the Barranco Valley. This area with its alpine vegetation is one of the highlights along the Machame Route.
Accommodation
baranco camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
Accommodation
karanga camp
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, 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.
Accommodation
barafu camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), 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 (18,600 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 may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka 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.
Accommodation
barafu camp
The path leads to a mostly wet, slippery path through the dense cloud forest steeply downhill to Mweka Gate. Transport back to your hotel or lodge.
Accommodation
panama garden resort
Includes & Excludes
No inclusions listed.
No exclusions listed.
Tanzania