The Machame route is perhaps the most popular climbing route. It is the choice for many people because it provides impressive views and a variety of habitats. Unlike the gradual incline and hut accommodations found on the Marangu Route, the climbers on Machame hike steeper trails, for longer distances and sleep in tents. The Machame Route is approximately 62 km/ 37 miles from gate to gate. It is designed for physically fit people with some hiking experience.
| Start | Arusha (Day 1) |
| Day 2 | Machame camp (Mt Kilimanjaro) |
| Day 3-7 | Mt Kilimanjaro (Mountain) |
| Day 8 | Mweka camp (Mt Kilimanjaro) |
| End | Arusha (City) (Day 8) |
Getting around: normal 4×4 vehicle & hiking/walking
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
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.
Budget camping
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:
Budget camping
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.
Budget camping
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.
Budget camping
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.
Budget camping
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am) we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
Now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Budget camping
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.
|
Start dates
|
Solo |
2 people |
3 people |
4 people |
5 people |
6 people |
7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2021 – Dec 31, 2021 | n/a* | $2,090 | $1,986 | $1,777 | $1,693 | $1,652 | $1,631 |
| Jan 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022 | n/a* | $2,090 | $1,986 | $1,777 | $1,693 | $1,652 | $1,631 |
*n/a = not available. This tour is unavailable for solo travelers.
Please Note That: The tour price can change at any time. This is because of Government charges price changes, Park fee price changes, or Accommodation price changes.
The Machame route is perhaps the most popular climbing route. It is the choice for many people because it provides impressive views and a variety of habitats. Unlike the gradual incline and hut accommodations found on the Marangu Route, the climbers on Machame hike steeper trails, for longer distances and sleep in tents. The Machame Route is approximately 62 km/ 37 miles from gate to gate. It is designed for physically fit people with some hiking experience.
| Start | Arusha (Day 1) |
| Day 2 | Machame camp (Mt Kilimanjaro) |
| Day 3-7 | Mt Kilimanjaro (Mountain) |
| Day 8 | Mweka camp (Mt Kilimanjaro) |
| End | Arusha (City) (Day 8) |
Getting around: normal 4×4 vehicle & hiking/walking
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
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.
Budget camping
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:
Budget camping
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.
Budget camping
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.
Budget camping
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.
Budget camping
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am) we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
Now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Budget camping
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.
Please Note That: The tour price can change at any time. This is because of Government charges price changes, Park fee price changes, or Accommodation price changes.
| 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | n/a* | n/a* |
| 2 people | $2,090 | $2,090 |
| 3 people | $1,986 | $1,986 |
| 4 people | $1,777 | $1,777 |
| 5 people | $1,693 | $1,693 |
| 6 people | $1,652 | $1,652 |
| 7+ people | $1,631 | $1,631 |
*n/a = not available. This tour is unavailable for solo travelers.
