Machame Route 7 Days
- Difficulty: Medium
- Distance: 62km
- Duration: 6 Days
- Success Rate: Medium to High
- 7 Days For Better Acclimatization
Machame Route 7 Days Itinerary Highlights
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
- Scenic Variety: Traverse five distinct climatic zones and witness natural marvels like the Lava Tower.
- Acclimatization: Offers good acclimatization profile for a successful climb.
- Success Rate: Ranges from medium to high.
- Duration: 6-7 days, with optional extra day for better acclimatization.
- Best Time: Dry seasons of January to March and June to October.
- Popular Choice: Favored by nearly half of Kilimanjaro climbers each year.
- Approach: Begins from the south, ascends the southern slope, and descends via Mweka route.
- Intimate Experience: Lower foot traffic provides a more personal and immersive journey.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Arusha
Today is an acclimatisation day and you will continue along a steep ridge passing the Great Barranco Wall passing below the Heim Glacier and through the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley where you will have views of the summit from many different angles.
- Overnight – Ilboru Safari Lodge, Arusha
Day 2: Machame Gate 1,640m
After breakfast you will depart Arusha and drive to the village of Machame located at the base of the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Standing at 5,895m high, it is known as the Roof of Africa. The road from the Machame village to the Machame gate can become very muddy and at certain times of the year may be impossible for vehicles to pass. In this instance, you will complete the 3km walk on foot and upon arrival at the Machame Gate you will sign in, complete your registration and other formalities before beginning your Machame Route 7 Days with your team of Guides, Chefs and Porters.
You will enter the rainforest and continue up a winding trail up a ridge and have the opportunity to see black and white colobus monkeys and exotic birds before arriving at the Machame Camp in the late afternoon.
- Starting Point: Machame Gate 1,640m
- End Point: Machame Camp 2,835m
- Walking Time: 5-7 Hours approx.
- Overnight – Machame Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro
- Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Machame Camp 2,835m
- Starting Point: Machame Camp 2,835m
- End Point: Shira Camp 3,850m
- Walking Time: 4-6 Hours approx.
- Overnight – Shira Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro
- Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Shira Camp 3,850m
From the Shira Plateau you will continue east up a steep and rocky trail to Lava Tower. At 3,901m high, this chunky remnant of Kilimanjaro’s earlier volcanic activity is several hundred meters high and the trail passes right below. You will then descend to the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall to Barranco Camp where you will be rewarded with beautiful landscape and spend the night. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, today is an important acclimatisation day.
- Starting Point: Shira Camp 3,850m
- Via: Lava Tower 4,600m
- End Point: Barranco Camp 3,900m
- Walking Time: 6-8 Hours approx.
- Overnight – Barranco Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro
- Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Barranco Camp 3,850m
For clients trekking the Machame Route 7 Days today is an acclimatisation day with a short but steep hike from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp where you will spend the night.
Today you will continue your ascent along a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall and the Helm Glacier to the Karanga Valley Camp and on to Barafu Camp. You have now completed the Southern Circuit and the Barafu Camp is located on a narrow, rocky ridge with no barriers to block the wind but offers views of the summit from many angles. You can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is and from now, all eyes are on the summit.
Tonight you will enjoy an early dinner and retire to your tent where you will prepare for your hike to the summit later tonight. At 11:30pm you will be woken with tea or coffee and a snack before making your way into the night.
- Starting Point: Barranco Camp 3,850m
- End Point: Barafu Camp 4,680m
- Walking Time: 8-10 Hours approx.
- Overnight – Barafu Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro
- Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Barafu Camp 4,680m
You will continue your trek into the early hours of the morning and the route from Barafu Camp to the summit is mentally and physically, the longest and most challenging day of the entire trek. You will pass the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers before reaching Stella Point at 5,756m which is located on the Crater rim in time to watch the sun rise from the Roof of Africa, a once in a lifetime experience. Here you will rest and take in the magnificent beauty around you. You will continue the snow covered trail to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895m. Temperatures near the summit can range from -23 degrees Celsius in the morning to just below freezing during the night. Upon arrival at the summit you will have the opportunity for a short rest and celebrate a successful climb. Note: faster climbers will see the sun rise from the summit at Uhuru Peak.
From the summit you will now make your descent to Barafu Camp where you will enjoy some well-deserved rest before continuing your descent into the moorland and then the forest before reaching Mweka Hut where you will spend your final night on the mountain.
- Starting Point: Barafu Camp 4,680m
- Via: Uhuru Point 5,895m
- End Point: Mweka Camp 3,100m
- Walking Time: 11-14 Hours approx.
- Overnight – Mweka Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro
- Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Mweka Camp 3,100m
After a leisurely breakfast of Machame Route 7 Days you will continue your descent to the Mweka Gate where successful climbers receive their summit certificate. Your vehicle will be waiting for you and will drive you to Arusha where the remainder of the day is at leisure.
- Starting Point: Mweka Camp 3,100m
- End Point: Mweka Gate 1,640m
- Walking Time: 3-5 Hours approx.
- Overnight – Ilboru Safari Lodge, Arusha
- Meals – Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8: Arusha
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. The end of Machame Route 7 Days.
- Meals – Breakfast
You Trek Includes:
- Arrival transfer from Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport to hotel
- Pre trek accommodation at the Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha
- Return transport from Arusha to Mount Kilimanjaro
- Guide, Assistant Guide, Chef and Porters
- Non participation, full service camping on Mount Kilimanjaro
- Meals as specified and drinking water
- All national park entry and climbing fees
- Rescue fee
- Post trek accommodation at the Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha
- Departure transfer from hotel to Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport
- All current Government taxes and surcharges
Upgrade Your Accommodation:
We also offer accommodation located in the heart of Arusha as well as at coffee lodges and 5-star hotels. Upgrade to one of our 5-start hotels – The Arusha Hotel or the Mount Meru Hotel for just $35 per person, per night. If you would like to upgrade your pre or post safari accommodation in Arusha please ask us for recommendations and availability.
Enhance Your Experience:
A Tanzanian holiday is a dream come true and a once in a lifetime experience for most of our clients. We understand that every traveller is different and we are proud to offer a range of optional activities to enhance your safari experience.
Arusha Day Tours
We offer Arusha City Tours (half or full day), Coffee Farm Tours, Night Tours with Dinner or visit the Lengo Football Academy with Village Walk. Please ask us for a detailed tour description and prices.
