Mount Kilimanjaro Climb 7 Days Machame Route
The Machame route is our most popular and successful route leading to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Hikers sleep in tents which are carried up the mountain by support crews. The Machame route is a very scenic and beautiful route, which can be completed in 6 days, however we strongly recommend hiking the route in 7 days, allowing for more time to acclimatise. The key to the success of the Machame route is its topography, allowing hikers to climb high and sleep low, helping towards better acclimatisation. There are however two drawbacks on this route:
Firstly hikers will need to pass an area just before the Shira ridge and hike the Barranco Wall, both of which are physically demanding and also present a potential problem for hikers with a fear of heights.
The second problem relates to the route’s high success rate, compounded by the fact that other routes join the Machame route from day 3 onwards – higher numbers of hikers can be therefore be encountered on this route.
The route utilises the Mweka route as a descend route..
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp.
After breakfast in the hotel drive from Moshi to Machame gate takes about 50 minutes. Through the villages of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. After reaching Machame gate they will be a session of registration before begin with your hiking through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery during rainy season continue a short distance until you reach Machame Campsite dinner and overnight.
Machame gate 1,800Mt to Machame Campsite 3000Mt. Distance: 11 km.
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours;
Habitat: Rain Forest
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Breakfast served at 7:30Am after breakfast depart the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather and Moorland, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Leisure for rest, dinner overnight at the Shira campsite.
Machame Campsite 3000M to Shira Campsite 3840Mt Elevation Distance: 7 km;
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours.
Habitat: Heath and Moorland
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Breakfast session take place at 7:30am Shira campsite depart to Barranco campsite continue east up a ridge via junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you walk, your direction change to the southeast towards Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after reaching the second junction which brings you near to Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4600Mt descent downhill to Barranco campsite at altitude of 3950Mt Although you end your day at the same elevation as you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and it will help you to prepare for the summit session.
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp; Elevation 4600Mt.
Distance: 11 km;
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours;
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 4: Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp
From Barranco camp, you climb up through the edge of great Barranco Wall. It’s a tough morning climb on a steep trail, but once you reach the top, the views are spectacular.
Dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp (4035m / 13238ft).
Day 5: Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp
Leisure breakfast at Karanga Camp before you complete your ascent to the base campsite at Barafu campsite and hit the junction which connects with Mweka Trail after this point you only have 15-20Minutes to complete your hiking day. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offer views of the summit from many different angles. Your lunch will be save at this point following by afternoon leisure, rest, enjoy early dinner, and prepare for the summit session which take place at mid night right after the o’clock change. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this campsite..
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp;
Elevation 4600Mt
Distance: 4 km;
Hiking Time: 2-3-5 hours it a shorter day by no means easy hiking.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Day 6: Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp
In between end of you day 5 and changing in to day 6 at mid night -dress enough layers of the clothing ready to begin the final session to the summit. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy screen towards Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,747Mt. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella you will have a stop for a short rest will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. From Stella Point you have one hour to reaching the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers may see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit after Uhuru Peak session descent continuing straight downhill to Mweka Hut campsite you will take a short rest at Barafu for lunch before you departing to mweka campsite situated in the upper forest. Your last dinner on the mountain will be save at late hours follow by well-earned sleep.
Barafu Camp to Uhuru peak 4,600Mt to 5,895Mt - 19,341ft.
Distance: Ascend to Uhuru pear 5Km Descent to Barafu Camp 5Km and from Barafu campsite to Mweka Campsite 11Km.
Hiking Time: 11-12 hours;
Habitat: Arctic Moorland and Forest
Day 7: Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate
After your last breakfast on the mountain which save in the morning leave mweka camp descent downhill via rainy forest to Mweka gate at lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate our vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to a hotel in Moshi for hot shower and leisure dinner overnight.
Mweka Camp to–Mweka gate 3100Mt-1640Mt
Distance: 10 km; Hiking
Time: 3-4 hours;
Habitat: Rain Forest.
END OF TREKKING TOUR.
Tour Location
History Of Machame Route
The Machame route is on the southwestern slope of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Historically, it was referred to by Hans Meyer as a great African giant. It was a change state in Kilimanjaro.
Machame Route starts from the southern circuit of Kilimanjaro which crosses the ice fields before reaching to the summit. Climbers call it the Whiskey route as it is comparatively active than the Marangu route and also a bit more exclusive. The Best Time To Climb Kilimanjaro via Machame Route is the dry season.
The Kilimanjaro Machame Route has a very beautiful scenic view and incredible landscapes for which it is more popular. It also has the Barranco wall to climb which is considered to be steep half an hour climb and you will need to use your hands occasionally to balance the climb.
Machame Route Climate
The Machame route has varied climatic conditions and supports the vegetation across the route. The trek begins through the rainforests. As the proximity to the equator, this route does not experience more winter and summer weather, but it has wet and dry seasons.
The rainfall varies from 2000 mm per year in the rainforest area to less than 120mm per year in the summit zone. The weather cycles are largely dependent on altitudes. The temperature will decrease always as you go through Kilimanjaro’s ecological zone. The temperature in the Summit can range from 0 degrees Fahrenheit to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Price Included
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation
- Professional guides, cooks and porters
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Park fees, Camping fees & rescue fees
- VAT fees and Charges
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Pick up and drop off at the airport.
- Fair wages for the mountain crew.
Price Not Included
- International flights.
- Bank charges
- Personal Expenses
- Tips to Crew (highly recommended).
- Visa, Travel Insurance (we can help arrange of them).
- Expenditures of personal nature like drinks, telephone, laundry, Internet etc.
Hayate H
January 25, 2025
Amazing trip Kilimanjaro hike
We had an amazing trip with Tanzania Seasons.Guide and his crew was excellent and really appreciate their efforts . We had a great time. Highly recommend!!