Climbing Kilimanjaro via the 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 Machame, Kilimanjaro, 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!

What you get on this adventure:

• Experienced, local hiking guides with extensive knowledge of the area
• Adequate number of guides, cooks and porters (carrying maximum of 32 lbs/ 15 kg per person)
• 7 days of trekking and climbing + 2 days for arrival and departure
• Transfer to and from the route gates
• Transfer from and to Kilimanjaro airport
• Tents and camping gear
• 2 nights in a hotel in Moshi
• 3 full fresh meals daily (menu specially designed for climbers — choice between vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals)
• Drinking water and hot water provided daily
• Sleeping mattress pads, dining tents, sleeping tents
• Transportation to the trailhead and back
• Park fees and permits
• Portable toilets
• Emergency evacuation (if the climber has insurance)
• Safety devices
• All park fees, camping fees, rescue and team fees
• Tanzania’s 18% VAT on tourism activities and park fees

What’s not included:

• Transportation to Kilimanjaro airport
• Accommodations prior to and after the trip
• Personal hiking/ trekking gear (can be rented in Tanzania)
• Sleeping bag (can be rented for $50 per trip)
• Snacks, personal medicine, water purifying tablets
• Extra porter for excess gear (can be rented for $30 per day)
• Single supplement for a single tent and a single room ($250 per trip)
• Airport transfer for those who don’t come with the group

The Machame route is considered a difficult one—compared to some other Kilimanjaro routes, the days are longer and the walks are steeper. It is a demanding trip better suited for people with at least some hiking experience. Still, it does not require technical skills or mountaineering equipment such as ice axes, crampons, harnesses, and ropes. Therefore, even if you’re a first-time trekker with excellent fitness and a desire to push yourself in a mountain environment, this 9-day climbing tour in Kilimanjaro might be for you.

All climbing and camping equipment will be provided by your guiding service. Here’s what you’ll need to bring:

• Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 35-45L bag)
• A duffel bag (maximum weight of 32 lbs/ 15 kg)
• Hiking poles — optional
• Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
• Warm hat and a buff or scarf
• Sun hat
• Warm gloves or mitts and thin liner gloves are also useful
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Waterproof gaiters
• Warm jacket – fleece or down jacket, potentially ski jacket
• Waterproof jacket over the top
• Fleece tops or hiking shirts/sweatshirts
• Base layers or T-shirts
• Pair of trekking trousers and shorts
• Leggings or thermal bottoms or running tights
• Several sets of underwear – cotton best avoided
• Several pairs of good quality trekking socks
• Waterproof trekking boots
• Trainers or flip flops/sandals
• Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
• Favorite snack bars
• Headtorch
• Powerpack for charging phones etc
• Wash kit
• Flask for hot drinks — optional, useful on summit night
• Earplugs — optional
• Sunglasses
• Camera — optional (but recommended)
• Sleeping bag (can be rented for $50 per trip)
• Pillow — optional
• Sleeping bag thermal liner — optional

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Keep in mind that it can get very cold in some of the camps due to strong winds.
A porter can carry a max of 32 lbs/ 15 kg per person. There will be multiple porters depending on the amount of baggage and in case your baggage weighs more, you can hire another porter for an additional fee.

Group sizes and prices:

• For this group adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 12:1. Group trips are guaranteed to depart, regardless of the number of climbers.
• All prices are per person and don’t change as the group size grows.
• If you wish to stay in a single room/ single tent, the supplement is $250 for the whole trip.

Climbing days on the Machame route 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.

A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 1 month (30 days) prior to departure. If you do not pay the remaining balance by the due date, your guides reserve the right to cancel your reservation, with the deposit being forfeited. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. 

• • If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty three (33) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of seventy-five percent (75%) of the total amount paid.
  • For cancellations eight (8) to thirty two (32) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking. 
  • After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.

To get to your Climbing Kilimanjaro Tour, most people fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport. You and the rest of the group will be picked up by the guides at an arranged time. If you’re not joining the group at that time, you’ll need to get a taxi ride, rent a car or take a shuttle to Moshi.

You’ll meet your guide at the Panama Garden Resort in Moshi.