Machame Route
7 DAY CLIMB
Climb Level:
Duration:
Climb Stops:
Easy to Moderate
7 days / 6 nights
Machame Camp, Shira Camp, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Uhuru Peak, Mweka Camp
USD$3,099*
7
DAYS
ITINERARY
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
After an 8am breakfast, a car will pick you up from your hotel and bring you to the Machame Gate. This first day takes you into the forest of Kilimanjaro's lower slopes. You will find plenty of beautiful plants and potentially spot some monkeys as you distract yourself from the 10.5km sweaty uphill walk.
By days end, you will reach the Machame Camp (gaining 1210 metres) with views over the African Plains below. Your tents will be set up by our porters for you and dinner underway.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Cave
Leaving the forest behind, today is another steep climb and you will gain 818 metres in altitude over 5.3km. You will also see your first glimpse of Kibo, the famed snowy summit of Kilimanjaro.
There will be a deliberately slow pace set from today onwards for acclimatisation purposes. Our final destination today is the Shira Cave Campsite with views across the Plateau to Kibo. Again, as with every campsite your tent will be set up for you.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
A lengthy crossing of the Shira Plateau will take us further toward Kibo. Most people find this to be their favourite part and it is extremely photogenic.
You will ascend a further 788 metres to Lava Tower where we stop for lunch, sitting at the foot of Kibo you will be 4530 metres above sea level. You will then descend down to the prettiest campsite of the trek, Barranco Camp, which is 3986 metres above sea level.
At this point, it is normal to have a slight headache due to the altitude and should only be concerning if symptoms persist.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley
Today is our shortest trekking day of approximately 3 hours to make sure you are acclimatised and rested to reach summit tomorrow! You will however need to climb the Barranco Wall, which should not over-concern anyone we have never seen anyone fail to complete it (you just might get your hands dirty)
After an hour or so of climbing, we will meander gently through Karanga Valley and after a stiff but short climb, we find our campsite just up from the stream.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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Ascend through the cloud forest of Kili's southern slopes
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Dry and dusty Shira Plateau Crossing
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Beautiful Barranco Campsite
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Reach Uhuru Peak
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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Copy of a best-selling climb Mt. Kilimanjaro Guidebook to help you prepare before you arrive in Tanzania.
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Transfers to and from Kilimanjaro Airport
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Two nights stay in a B&B style hotel (one before your trek and one after)
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Transfers to and from the mountain
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All park fees, camping fees, rescue fees and permits while on the mountain.
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Camping equipment
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All food and drink on the mountain
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Wages of trek crew (guides, assistant guides, cooks and porters) at KPAP rates.
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Financial failure protection
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Personal service and advice every step of the way leading up to your trek, provided directly from Kilimanjaro's leading expert - Henry Stedman
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
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Flights - however we can assist in this area
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Visas
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Hire of clothing, trekking poles, head torches & sleeping bags
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Insurance
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Souvenirs
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Food and drink away from the mountain (other than those included in your hotel stay)
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Tips / gratuities for your mountain crew (you can refer to the guidebook prior to arrival for details)
Day 5: Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp
Another 3 hour day is ahead of you as we walk through a spectacular lunar landscape, traversing the southern side of the Kibo Summit. Once we reach Barafu Camp, you will rest and take in lunch, dinner and sleep before the ascent to the summit tonight!
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
4.86km to Uhuru Peak; 11.5km descent to Mweka Camp, 1233 metres in altitude gained followed by a descent of 2789 metres.
Be ready and rested by midnight to begin your slow march up to Stella Point, an incredible 5745 metres above sea level, on the edge of Kibo Crater. Expect it to be steep, slow and cold!
Assuming all goes well, you are in good health and physical fitness and you have avoided altitude sickness, you will reach Stella Point at approximately 5am. Before ascending a mere 45 minutes further, past glaciers and snowfields to Uhuru Peak where you can take in views over the Kibo Crater from the highest point in Africa!
5895 metres above the African Plains, we aim to watch the sun rise, take photos and a breather too! Before descending back down to Where we started at Barafu Camp, we promise it is quicker than on the way up. After breakfast and a quick rest, you will descend from alpine desert to forest and reach the final stop on our trek, the Mweka Campsite (3106 metres above sea level).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
*Price shown is per person for 1 to 2 trekkers, in $USD joining a 7 day public trek. Additional trekkers reduce cost per person. Our policy towards the welfare of porters and the dedication to a high standard of service means that our prices will never be rock bottom. Nevertheless, a brief internet search will hopefully convince you that our prices are the best value on the mountain.
(Private Trek)
1 Trekker USD$3,299 Per Person
(Public Trek)
1 Trekker USD$3,099 Per Person
2 Trekkers USD$3,099 Per Person
3 Trekkers USD$2,949 Per Person
4 Trekkers USD$2,849 Per Person
5 Trekkers USD$2,849 Per Person
6 Trekkers USD$2,749 Per Person
7 Trekkers USD$2,699 Per Person
8 Trekkers USD$2,649 Per Person
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
With only a couple of hours to go, we descend 9.1km to Mweka Gate where you will receive your certificate if you made it to Stella Point or the Summit. Your trek is at an end and a car will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.