Welcome to an unforgettable adventure on the iconic Machame Route of Mt. Kilimanjaro! Join us on a 7-day trek that will take you through stunning landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and challenging terrain as you make your way to the "Roof of Africa."
Join us on this epic 7-day Machame Route trek and experience the magic of Mt. Kilimanjaro like never before. With expert guides, breathtaking landscapes, and unique features such as the Barranco Wall and the Southern Icefield, this adventure is sure to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. Are you ready to conquer Africa's highest peak and make your mark on this iconic mountain? Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
- One of the most popular routes on Kilimanjaro
- This tour is perfect to get acclimatized: “climb high, sleep low”
- High climber summit success rate: let’s get you to the top!
- Incredible, expansive views over the African plains
- Official summit certificate to stamp your brilliant achievement!
Hotel lodging the night before and the night after the climb
Breakfast before and after the climb
All meals and water on the mountain
All park fees and taxes
Transportation to and from the hotel and trailhead
Tents (3-person mountaineering tent)
certified guides, porters, and cooks
Day 1: Arrive at Machame Gate, the starting point of our journey. As we venture into the lush rainforest, be prepared to be enchanted by the sights and sounds of nature. The air is thick with the fragrance of wildflowers and the chirping of exotic birds, making it a truly magical experience.
Elevation: 1,640m/5,380ft to 2,850m/9,350 ft
Distance: 11km/6.8 miles
Hiking time: 5-7 hrs
Habitat: Rain forest
Day 2: The Machame Route is known for its breathtaking scenery, and today's hike is no exception. As we ascend through the forest, we'll catch glimpses of the mighty Kibo peak through the trees, creating an air of anticipation and excitement. Our expert guides will provide insights into the unique flora and fauna that thrive in this region, making it a truly enriching experience. After saying goodbye to the rainforest, we’ll continue on up the path onto a steep, rocky ridge. After we pass over the Shira Plateau, the land opens up to heather and moorland before we cross a large river to Shira 2 Camp.
Elevation: 2,850m/9,350ft to 3,800m/12,500ft
Distance: 5km/3 miles
Hiking time: 4-6 hrs
Habitat: Heath
Today will begin with a trek towards the Lava Tower (a 300ft tall volcanic rock formation). We’ll continue down to Barranco Camp through the unique Senecio Forest. This day is special because you’ll begin and end at the same altitude, very beneficial for acclimatization.
Elevation: 3,800m/12,500ft to 4,630m/15,190 ft
Distance: 7km/4 miles
Hiking time: 4-5 hrs
Habitat: Alpine desert
Elevation: 4,630m/15,190ft to 3,975m/13,044 ft
Distance: 3km/1.8 miles
Hiking time: 2-3 hrs
Habitat: Alpine desert
We’ll begin the day by heading down into a ravine before we tackle the Great Barranco Wall. It’s not a technical climb but it is steep, nearly 900ft of it. From the top, we’ll then continue our trek twisting and turning before descending sharply into Karanga Valley. After another short but fairly steep climb, we’ll reach Karanga Camp. Another short day designed to help with acclimatization.
Elevation: 3,975m/13,044ft to 3,995m/13,106ft
Distance: 5km/3 miles
Hiking time: 4-5 hrs
Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast at the Karanga Camp, we’ll trek towards the route that connects with the Mweka Trail. We’ll then gradually make our way to Barafu Hut. Today, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, and the views of the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks here are awe-inspiring. Once we make camp, we’ll eat, rest, and prepare the bags for summit day.
Elevation: 3,994m/13,106ft to 4,672m/15,331ft
Distance: 4km/2.5 miles
Hiking time: 4-5 hrs
Habitat: Alpine desert
At midnight, we will wake you up for a quick snack and get ready to begin our push to the summit. This is the most physically and mentally challenging part of the trek, a true endurance experience. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in darkness for several hours while taking frequent but short breaks. As we approach Stella Point, you’ll begin to feel the heat of the magnificent sunrise appearing over the Mawenzi Peak—a truly unforgettable moment. We will then continue on until we finally reach Uhuru Peak—the tip of Mount Kilimanjaro and Africa’s highest point!
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and, later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Elevation: 4,672m/15,331ft to 5,895m/19,341ft
Distance: 5km/3 miles
Hiking time: 7-8 hrs
Habitat: Arctic
Elevation: 5,895m/19,341ft to 3,067m/10,065ft
Distance: 12km/7.5 miles
Hiking time: 4-6 hrs
Habitat: Rain forest
After breakfast, we will say goodbye to our porters and continue our descent to the Mweka Park Gate to collect our summit certificates. It can be muddy and wet during our walk to lower elevation. You’ll begin to realize how good you feel as the altitude slowly begins to drop. We will be met at the gate by our local team who will drive us back to the hotel.
Elevation: 3,067m/10,065ft to 1,639m/5,380ft
Distance: 10km/6 miles
Hiking time: 3-4 hrs
Habitat: Rain forest
