Climbing Kilimanjaro isn’t just a trek—it’s a fast pass to the most mind-blowing landscapes on Earth. Picture this: one minute, you’re in a tropical rainforest; the next, you’re crossing an alpine desert that looks straight out of Frank Herbert’s “Dune”. Then, just when you think it can’t get wilder, you’re standing at Uhuru Peak, watching the sun rise over Africa from a place only a handful of people will ever reach. This isn’t a vacation. It’s a badge of honor. And if you’re up for the challenge, we’ll see you at the top.
Your expert guide will pick you up from the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. You’ll then be taken to your hotel in Moshi city, the second-largest tourism hub of Tanzania and the capital of Kilimanjaro region. Your guide will brief you on what to expect on this tour and make sure you’re prepared.
Accommodation: Panama Garden Resort
Only an hour’s drive from Moshi separates you from beginning this adventure. After completing some final park formalities, your trip will start at Machame Gate. The first section of the trail involves jungle bashing through Afromontane forests. The path is less worn and it can often be wet and muddy. Your trekking for the day ends at Machame Camp at 10,170 ft (3,100 m), which sits near the border of the rainforest zone and the low alpine zone. Spend the night at the camp.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 4-6 hours, 9 km (6 mi)
Altitude gain: 3,870 ft / 1,210 m
Accommodation: Machame Camp
Your route continues on up through the forest until you reach the steep ascent to the Shira Plateau. Stretching out over 8 miles (13 km), the Shira Plateau is actually a caldera—what you’re seeing today are remains of a volcano boasting deep valleys and weather-beaten lava flows. Looking back, you’ll be able to see Mt Meru, Tanzania’s second highest mountain and a dormant volcano rising high above Arusha town. Your camping spot for the day are the Shira Caves.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 4-6 hours, 5 km (3 mi)
Altitude gain: 2,430 ft / 740 m
Accommodation: Shira Caves
A walk-high-sleep-low day ahead of you! Hiking on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. You’ll traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the monumental Lava Tower in the desert portion of the mountain and finally reach the Western Breach. You’ll spend your day at high altitudes of 15,092 ft (4600 m), but for your night’s sleep descend to the Barranco Camp at 12,795 ft (3,900 m). While it’s a long day, it’s also an opportunity to abide by the mountaineering code in order to aid your body in altitude acclimatization. Spend your night at the Barranco campsite.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 6-7 hours, 10 km (6 mi)
Altitude gain: 197 ft / 60 m
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Kick of the day by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. Exit steeply, up what has been termed the Breakfast Wall, which divides you from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rocks, but not overly technical. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, head towards the Karanga Valley at 13,123 ft (4000 m) for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 4-5 hours, 5 km (3 mi)
Altitude gain: 328 ft / 100 m
Accommodation: Karanga Valley
The day is characterized by a short hike on terrain formed by scree. Hike arid land towards Barafu Camp at 15,092 ft (4,600 m) where you’ll have the entire afternoon to rest before ascending towards the summit. The terrain here is tough—strong winds often rip over this campsite in the desolate alpine desert. However, the far-reaching views of the Mawenzi peak make the struggle worth it. Take your time to rest and save your energy for tomorrow. Spend the night at Barafu Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 2-4 hours, 4 km (2.5 mi)
Altitude gain: 1,969 ft / 600 m
Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Here’s where you get to show what you’re made of! In order to stay away from the heat of the sun as much as possible, depart around midnight and hike steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. You’ll be climbing scree for 5-6 hours, but also gain incredible height over a short distance. Arrive to the crater rim at Stella Point as the first rays of sunshine emerge. You’ll be surrounded by ice cliffs within the crater and views of the Mawenzi peak.
All that’s left to do is to conquer an hour’s walk to your goal—the summit of Uhuru, meaning freedom, at 19,341 ft (5,895 m). Having climbed the celebratory 4,252 ft (1,296 m), take some photos and begin your descent. Continue going down scree slopes back to Barafu Camp for breakfast before finally heading down to Millennium Camp. Spend the night there for a well-deserved rest and rejoice at your victorious climb!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 6-8 hours, 12 km (7.5 mi)
Altitude loss: 9,501 ft / 2,896 m
Accommodation: Millennium Camp
A gentle trek takes you down through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate where park formalities will be completed. You’ll receive your certificate of ascent, courtesy of the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority. Drive back to Moshi for a well-deserved shower and a cold beer!
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Hiking: 4-5 hours, 10 km (6 mi)
Altitude loss: 4,462 ft / 1,360 m
Accommodation: Panama Garden Resort
Your guides will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport. If you’re planning on staying in Tanzania for a bit longer, you can extend your tour to wildlife safari in the northern circuit to Serengeti and Ngorongoro of Zanzibar, but at an additional cost.
Meals: Breakfast
Included:
Not included:
This Machame route 7-days adventure is rated moderate, which means that almost anyone can participate, as long as they have a very good fitness level. Expect hiking up to 8 hours and 12 km (7.5 mi) per day, while gaining up to 4,252 ft (1,296 m) in elevation.
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 best 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 very good fitness and a desire to push yourself in a mountain environment, this climbing tour in Kilimanjaro might be for you.
Discover more amazing Kilimanjaro tours here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Technical clothing:
Headwear:
Hand wear:
Footwear:
Accessories:
Equipment:
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.
Important note: The most common mistake that climbers make is that they overpack and bring way too much gear. Be selective in what you take with you. Please note that the porters are limited to carrying 33 lbs (15 kg) of your personal belongings. Everything the porters will carry for you between campsites should be placed into the duffel bag, including the sleeping bag, but it is an option to pack the sleeping bag separately if necessary.
The porters will place your duffel bag and sleeping bag into a large, sturdy, waterproof bag with a roll-top closure. If you have excess weight, you will be required to hire an additional porter.
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Group sizes and pricing
A Machame route 7-days adventure can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Machame route 7-days adventure is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
Once you’re there, your guide will pick you up at a predetermined time and transfer you to the hotel in Moshi city. Your guide will provide more information before the adventure begins.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.