Overview
Mount Kilimanjaro’s Machame route is one of the most popular climbing routes used to access the mountain. Many people prefer it because it offers spectacular views and a diverse range of habitats. Unlike the Marangu Route, which has a gentle rise with hut accommodations, climbers on Machame trek steeper paths for longer durations and sleep in tents. From gate to gate, the Machame Route is around 62 kilometers/37 miles. It’s made for folks who are physically healthy and have some hiking experience.
Day 1: Arusha to Machame camp
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Machame gate for sign up ready for your trek to the roof of Africa. Trek through the rain forest and on to Machame Camp Site where we will set up camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Machame camp to Shira camp
After breakfast, we start our walk leaving behind the rain forest. We continue ascending, traversing a valley going up a rocky ridge, quite steep and covered in heath. We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp Then we turn west to the river’s gorge. We will arrive at Shira Campsite where we set up our camp ready for dinner and overnight.
Main Destination:
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
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.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. 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 Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave from the Shira Plateau and continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. Today is crucial for acclimatisation, our bodies are getting prepared for the summit day. It’s an intense day and you may feel the altitude symptoms. We ascend until Lava Tower (4600m), where we have lunch and rest. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. 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 5: Karanga camp to Barafu 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. The day begins with a fun scramble, quite short until the top of Great Barranco Wall. Then we cross over the scree to Karanga Valley (3930 m), located under the icefalls of Kersten, Heim and Decken Glaciers. We spend the night at the camp Karanga.
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
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. The day begins with a fun scramble, quite short until the top of Great Barranco Wall. Then we cross over the scree to Karanga Valley (3930 m), located under the icefalls of Kersten, Heim and Decken Glaciers. We spend the night at the camp Karanga.
Day 7: Mweka camp to Arusha
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).
From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Arusha.
Mweka Camp to Arusha. | Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft. | Distance: 10 km. | Hiking Time: 3-4 hours. | Habitat: Rain Forest.
The following morning, you will be transferred to the airport for onwards travel.
End of tour
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Isekei – Ilboru, Arusha – Tanzania
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