All-Women’s Climb Along the Kilimanjaro Machame Route

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, please refer to the Tanzania’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, please refer to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure:

• • An experienced, English-speaking mountain guide with extensive knowledge of the area accompanied by local Tanzanian guides
  • 7 days of climbing
  • Airport transfers during the tour
  • Transportation during the tour
  • Accommodation
  • Main meals pre- and post climb
  • Meals on the trail (including water, coffee, and tea)
  • Team gear including mountaineering tents (double occupancy), kitchen, mess tent, bathroom setup, and team medical kit
  • Real-time GPS tracking and communication
  • Porter support up to 15kg per person
  • Pre-climb cultural tour of a Tanzanian village

What’s not included:

• • Transportation to Tanzania
  • Tanzanian visa (can be obtained either on arrival or in advance as an eVisa)
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Personal backpacking and climbing gear (including sleeping bag)
  • Climbing snacks (make sure to bring at least 2,500 calories of snacks)
  • Medical, travel, and rescue insurance (rescue insurance is mandatory – American Alpine Club or RipCord are recommended)
  • Sodas and alcoholic beverages
  • Personal expenses 
  • Safari costs or extra hotel nights in case of early arrival / late departure
  • Guide gratuities — optional

To climb Kilimanjaro via the Machame route, you need to be in excellent physical condition. Although the climb is best suited for those who have previous experience with endurance endeavors, you can also try to summit Kilimanjaro if you’re a first-time backpacker with extremely good fitness levels.

You will be hiking between 2-7 miles (3-11 km) a day, tackling between 2,000-7,000 ft (600-2,100+ m) of daily elevation gain while carrying 10-18 lbs of equipment (4-8 kg). While every day has its challenges, summit day is the most difficult, as it comes on the heels of five days of continuous extortion without rest days. To test if you’re ready, we recommend completing a trail half-marathon or hiking 15 miles (24 km) while carrying 20 lbs (9 kg). If you’re not feeling dead by the end of the day, you should be good to go.

The effects of altitude can be felt at elevations as low as 8000ft. Throughout the expedition, you will hike and sleep at elevations ranging from 4,600ft to >15,000ft (High Camp) with Kilimanjaro’s summit at nearly 20,000ft.  Kilimanjaro has a mountain-wide summit success of 45-55%. If you come physically prepared, pack adequate gear, and bring a lot of willpower, you’ll greatly increase your chances of reaching the top.

No prior experience with climbing and backpacking is necessary, but it is always welcome. Although climbing Kilimanjaro is physically strenuous, it’s still suitable for first-time backpackers with a desire to push themselves in a mountain environment. Above all, your instructor’s number one priority is your safety. Listen to the given instructions and you’ll greatly increase your chances of completing the climb.

Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring:

• • Backpack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40L bag)
  • Waterproof duffle bag (around 80L, max weight allowance is 15kg/ 33lbs)
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2-3L capacity)
  • Warm sleeping bag (20F or 0F) & compression stuff sack
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping bag liner (optional)
  • Headlamp & spare batteries
  • Glacier glasses & ski goggles
  • Insulated mountaineering boots & light hiking boots
  • Thick wool socks & thin trekking socks
  • Gloves (lightweight liner gloves, softshell gloves, insulated mittens)
  • Expedition-weight insulated puffy jacket
  • Hardshell (GoreTex) wind- and waterproof shell jacket
  • Softshell jacket
  • Warm mid-layer top & long-sleeve hoodie
  • Short or long-sleeved base layer top
  • Softshell pants & hardshell (GoreTex) pants
  • Fast-drying base layer bottom (no cotton)
  • Underwear
  • Buff, sun hat, and beanie
  • Light towel
  • Set of town clothes
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, bug spray, toilet paper, chapstick with SPF, etc.)
  • 100% UV Sunglasses
  • Adapter
  • Camera — optional

You will need clothes for hiking during the day, resting in the evening, and for sleeping. Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Your clothing should be lightweight, breathable, hand-washable, and quick-drying, which means no cotton.

Tents and group gear will be provided by your guiding service, but you’re required to bring your own backpack, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. If you do not have trekking equipment, such as sleeping bags and backpacks, you can rent it with KitLender.

The porters will carry your main duffel bag. The weight of this pack on Kilimanjaro is limited to 15 kg (35 pounds) per person. Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter. 

Group sizes and prices:

• • The group size for this adventure is 3-8 women climbers with guides. 
  • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

Climbing days in Kilimanjaro can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to climb on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

To get to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, most people fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport. From there, you can rent a car, take a taxi, or take a shuttle for a 40-min ride to Moshi. 

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location.