This fully inclusive Climb Kilimanjaro Hike takes the Machame Route, starting and ending in Usa River, near Arusha. 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 hiking trail up Mount Kilimanjaro. This Kilimanjaro hike is generally done by climbers that are physically fit with some previous hiking experience. On the Machame Route hiking tour, you stay in tents and your meals are included. This Kilimanjaro climbing route entails a 6-day hike up Kilimanjaro allowing you time to acclimatize, with a high success rate in reaching the summit at Uhuru Peak. The descent 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 safely, and affordably. Let's get you to the summit of the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro!
This Climb Kilimanjaro Hike 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 Meru View Lodge (or similar) - our pre-hike lodge in Usa River. Located 23km east of Arusha city, Usa River is the capital of Meru District in the region of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy as you choose. Relax under the old indigenous trees in the 10-acre tropical gardens of the lodge and take a refreshing swim in the swimming pool. The lodge offers a peaceful retreat, featuring a restaurant, lounge, and bar. Alternatively, you can take a taxi to Arusha and explore the bustling town.
In the evening a briefing is held at the safari lodge, in preparation for our epic Kilimanjaro hike.
Today you will be collected from the lodge near Arusha, after breakfast, and driven to 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 and your Kilimanjaro climb begins! 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 to 6-hour hike brings us to our first overnight stop, Machame Camp, located just above the treeline at the base of Kilimanjaro. After our first day of hiking on Mt Kili, we enjoy dinner and rest at Machame Camp, situated at 3010m.
We sleep in twin-share mountain tents with sleeping mats. Single travelers are usually paired up with another group member of the same gender, sharing a tent for the duration of the hike.
Please note: Single tent occupancy can be arranged at extra cost if you prefer not to share a tent on your Kilimanjaro hike.
We leave Machame Camp early in the morning hiking up the increasingly steep 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 hike is shorter bringing us to our next campsite by mid-afternoon. The camp is located at the Shira Plateau offering a spectacular view of Mount Kilimanjaro. At the end of the day, the rock faces, and the glacier of Kibo take on a warm glow in the sunset light.
Today our Kilimanjaro Hike begins with a long climb from the Shira Plateau towards the Lava Tower Hut lying at 4640m. We will ascend around 800m on day four camping at a slightly higher elevation than the night before. This gives your body time to acclimatize to the increasing altitude as we climb Kilimanjaro to over 4500m high in the next two days.
As we continue the vegetation thins out and the terrain becomes an afro-alpine desert. The Machame Trek passes through Barranco Valley, an expansive area where giant senecio and lobelia plants grow. After 6 to 7 hours of hiking, we arrive at the beautiful Barranco Camp where we have a well-deserved meal and a rest.
Today's hike starts with the challenging climb of the “Barranco Wall” the steepest part of our Kilimanjaro climb. On this challenging stretch of the hike, your guide will secure you to a safety line when necessary to keep you safe.
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 to 3-hour hike to Barafu Camp (4640m). At camp, we have dinner and get a very early night before our final ascent to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The next leg of our Machame Hiking Tour starts at midnight. You will be awoken for a hot cup of tea and a light snack before we set off into the darkness. We hike up the scree fields of Kibo by torchlight on this exhilarating stretch.
A 5 to 7-hour ascent through the night brings us to Stella Point (5739m), on the crater rim of Mount Kilimanjaro. After a further 1 to 2 hrs of climbing along the ridge of the crater, we reach the summit of Uhuru Peak at a lofty 5895m!
At the summit of Uhuru Peak, you will have reached the highest point of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and will be standing at the top of Africa's highest mountain! You have now hiked to the top of the tallest free-standing mountain in the world!
Reveling in your achievement from the towering summit of 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 support climbing team welcomes you with a hearty meal. Following a much-deserved break of 1 to 2 hours, we proceed to Mweka Camp at 3080m. In the evening we have dinner and enjoy a hard-earned rest.
After breakfast and a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain guides, we set off on the last leg of this unforgettable Kilimanjaro hiking adventure. A gentle 2 to 3-hour 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 safari lodge in Usa River for some rest and relaxation. Enjoy a soothing hot shower and take it easy at the lodge in the foothills of Mount Meru. You can take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool or nap in your comfortable room. Celebrate your achievement of climbing Kilimanjaro with dinner and drinks at the lodge tonight.
On day eight of your Kilimanjaro hiking tour, a delicious breakfast is served at the safari lodge. Then it is time to pack up and say goodbye to the majestic mountains of Tanzania.
Your driver transfers you back to Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you part ways, bringing your extraordinary Kilimanjaro Hike via Machame Route to a close.
This Kilimanjaro Hike is available as a private hiking tour. Contact African Budget Safaris for more details.
An affordable Tanzania Safari and/or Zanzibar Beach Holiday can easily be added to your booking as an extension to your Kilimanjaro Hike. Contact us for more details.
An additional day at Karanga Camp (4035m) can be added to this Machame Route Hiking Tour, giving you an extra day on Kilimanjaro. See the Full Pricing above for the cost of the 9-day Kilimanjaro Hike, and please contact us for the detailed itinerary.
Day |
Start |
Finish |
Altitude (m) |
Walking time |
Route description |
|
1 |
Machame Gate (1790m) |
Machame Camp (3010m) |
↑1220m |
5-6h |
A long first trek that offers a beautiful climb through the mountain forest. |
|
2 |
Machame Camp (3010m) |
Shira Camp (3840m) |
↑900 |
4-6h |
Wonderful views of the Shira Ridge and the Kibos mountain range. The route is shorter than the previous day. |
|
3 |
New Shira Camp (3840m) |
Barranco Camp (3960m) |
↑800m ↓680m |
6-7h |
A longer stage with great views and fantastic vegetation. |
|
4 |
Barranco Camp (3960m) |
Barafu Camp (4640m) |
↑680m ↓ 50m |
5-6h |
Begins with a steep climb then rises and falls. Views of the southern glaciers. The altitude will become noticeable. |
|
5 |
Barafu Camp (4640m) |
Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m) |
↑1250m ↓2810m |
10-14h |
Very steep, long and cold climb to Stella Point. Spectacular panoramic views of the crater ridge and the summit. Relatively steep and long descent with the altitude playing a major role. |
|
6 |
Mweka Camp (3080m) |
Mweka Gate (1630m) |
↓1450m |
2-3h |
Easier and relatively shorter descent with good paths. Luscious rainforest. |
Discover more about Mount Kilimanjaro and the hiking routes up Africa's highest mountain in our blog post on Climbing Kilimanjaro.
This tour does not take children.
We advocate a minimum of 14-16 years on the basis that children are more susceptible to altitude sickness.
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