Kilimanjaro Hike - Machame Route

This fully inclusive 8 day Kilimanjaro Hike follows Machame Route, starting and ending in Moshi. The Machame Kilimanjaro Hike is considered the most beautiful route offering spectacular views and passing through a variety of habitats.

The Machame Route, known as the "Whiskey" route is a steep trail up Kilimanjaro and is generally done by climbers that are physically fit with some previous hiking experience. On the Machame Route your accommodation will be in tents with your meals served to you in your tents or if the weather is good, on a blanket outside.

This route is a 6 day hike up Kilimanjaro allowing you time to acclimatize, which is important in preventing altitude sickness. There is a high success rate amongst hikers reaching the summit at Uhuru Peak. The decent is down the Mweka trail where you will stay at Mweka Camp for your final night.

This guided Kilimanjaro Hike helps to ensure that you reach the "Roof of Africa" successfully summiting the highest peak in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro!

Day 1: Arrival in Moshi, Hotel transfer

This Machame Kilimanjaro Hiking Package starts with collection from the Kilimanjaro International Airport, located between the Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions in Northern Tanzania. From the airport you are transferred to the Keys Hotel in Moshi, located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.

On day one you will be briefed on the Kilimanjaro Trek with the remainder of the day free for you to enjoy as you choose, relaxing at the hotel or exploring Moshi. Moshi is a quiet town surrounded by coffee plantations and other crops in the Kilimanjaro Region of north eastern Tanzania.

Dinner

Day 2: Machame Gate (1790m) – Machame Camp (3010m)

Today you will be collected from the hotel in Moshi after breakfast and driven to a nearby entrance of the Kilimanjaro National Park. At the park entrance you get a glimpse into the preparations required for this hike up Kilimanjaro as you watch the mountain team getting ready for the Machame climb - an impressive feat.

Once your guide has completed the necessary entrance requirements you proceed into Kilimanjaro National Park for your Kilimanjaro Trekking Adventure. We head into the mountain forests covering the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and are soon surrounded by the ancient rainforest. Walking on we listen to the sounds of the wild animals and birds inhabiting the forest as we encounter towering trees, primordial ferns, lichen and carpets of moss draping the trees and forest floor. Walking through this ancient habitat we keep our eyes and ears open for black and white colobus monkeys found in the treetops.

Our 5 - 6 hour walk brings us to our first overnight stop, Machame Camp, located just above the tree line at the base of Kilimanjaro. After our first day of hiking we enjoy  dinner and rest at Machame Camp, situated at 3000m.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 3: Machame Camp (3010m) – New Shira Camp (3845m)

We leave Machame Camp early in the morning hiking up the steepening path through moors and heathlands. Here the vegetation opens up providing us with magnificent views over the surrounding landscapes and dramatic mountain range.

On day three our walk is shorter bringing us to our next campsite by mid-afternoon. The camp is located at the Shira Plateau offering a spectacular view of Kilimanjaro mountain. At the end of the day the rock faces and glacier of Kibo take on a warm glow as the sun sets.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 4: New Shira Camp(3845m) – Lava Tower Hut (4640m) – Barranco Camp (3960m)

Our trek for the day begins with a long climb from the Shira Plateau towards the Lava Tower Hut lying at 4640m. We will ascend around 700m on day four camping at a slightly higher elevation than the night before. This gives your body time to acclimatise to the increasing altitude as we hike up Kilimanjaro to more than 4500m high over the next two days.  

As we continue the vegetation thins out and the terrain becomes afro-alpine desert. The Machame Trek passes through Barranco Valley, an expansive area where giant senecioand lobelia plants grow. After 6 – 7 hours of hiking, we arrive at the overnight Barranco Camp where we have a well-deserved meal and a rest.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 5: Barranco Camp (3960m) – Barafu Camp (4640m)

Today's hike starts with the challenging climb of the “Barranco Wall” a stretch where you will be secured to ensure your safety when necessary.

We follow the ridge as it stretches above the south glacier of Kibo admiring the views. We stop for lunch in In the Karanga Valley and prepare for the 2 - 3 hrs trek to Barafu Camp (4640m). At camp there is time for you to relax and have dinner, resting before we embark on the next stretch of our climb up Kilimanjaro.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4640m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m)

The next leg of the Machame Hike starts at midnight, with a hot tea and light snack before we set off into the darkness. We hike up the screes of Kibo by torchlight on this exhilarating stretch.

A 5 - 7 hour ascent through the night brings us to Stella Point, on the crater rim of Mount Kilimanjaro. After a further 1 - 2 hrs of climbing along the edge of the crater we reach the summit of Uhuru Peak at a mighty 5895m!

Having hiked to the summit of Uhuru Peak, the highest point of Mt. Kilimanjaro, you will be standing at the top of Africa's highest mountain!

Reveling in your achievement from the lofty summit of Africa’s Kilimanjaro you will be rewarded with the breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro's slopes and the sweeping landscapes below. Here you get to bask in the glory of this magnificent setting and the empowering experience of reaching the “Roof of Africa” on your own two feet.

We follow a simple route down Kilimanjaro descending along a similar path. Before midday we arrive back at Barafu Camp where the rest of the climbing team welcomes you with a warm meal upon your return. Following a much-deserved break of 1 - 2 hrs, we proceed to Mweka Camp at 3080m. In the evening we have dinner and enjoy a hard earned rest.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 7: Mweka Camp (3080m) – Mweka Gate (1630m) - Moshi

After breakfast  and a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain guides we set off on the last leg of this unforgettable hiking adventure. A gentle 2 -3 hrs descent takes us through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, at the base of Kilimanjaro.

Our driver meets you at the gate and takes you back to the Keys Hotel in Moshi for some comfortable rest and relaxation. Relax at the hotel soothing your aching muscles in the swimming pool or taking a nap as you recollect your adventure to the “Roof of Africa”. 

Breakfast; Dinner 

Day 8 Moshi – Additional Services

On day eight you have a hearty breakfast at the hotel, before continuing with your travels or taking a transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport. This brings your memorable Kilimanjaro Hike via Machame to a close.

Breakfast

Kilimanjaro - Machame Route Itinerary

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