Machame route for your Kilimanjaro hike means smooth acclimatization and amazing views. This route is the second in popularity among the climbers, and the number of other climbers may be high. We have 6 and 7 days Mt Kilimanjaro hike tours by Machame. The Machame Route, with its diverse landscape and fantastic views, offers a unique experience to test your will power, fitness finesse and mental strength. The route takes you through lush rainforest, where Colobus monkeys wander, into heath and moorland, with its many Ferns and Ericas, until finally reaching the Icy caps of the mountain top. The varying altitudes on this 7 day tour as well as our expert crew support assists with a good environment for acclimatization, enhancing your chances of reaching the summit. Overnights on the Machame Route will be spent in tents.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) (Google Map)
Arusha Airport (ARK) (Google Map)
2 Hours Before Flight Time
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet African Wanderlust Adventures representatives. and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the fundamentals for a contented stay: comfortable accommodation, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. Evening time there will be a briefing conducted with our managers and Guide, just to ensure you are ready to begin the climb.
Our guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after that you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest into which tropical showers are highly probable, so we recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your raincoats.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Since it is your first day at this altitude, we strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
• Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
• Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
• Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.
At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Distance: Machame gate to machame camp – 5km
Change in elevation: machame gate (1,800m) – Macahame camp (3,010m)
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Next morning after breakfast you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp (3,845 m). This day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to spot stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Physically speaking, the trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, followed by the group going on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 300-meter gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp you will be served a hot dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
Distance: Machame camp to Shira camp: 5km
Change in elevation: Machame camp (3,010m) – Shira Camp (3,845m)
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
ACCLIMATIZATION:
Distance: 2 km
Change in elevation: Shira camp (3,845m) – Destination Point en route to Lava Tower (4,120m)
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
After breakfast you will leave Shira Camp (3,845 m) and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude advised to spend at least 1–2 hours here, in that case, this is where lunch will be served.
Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, exciting in both its gigantic size and steepness! Next day you will be climbing it, but don’t worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.
Note: If one or more participants feel sick, the group may refrain from passing the Lava Tower and adjust the route, following instead the road for porters. In this case you will not reach an altitude of 4,630 meters, getting up only to a maximum of 4,400 meters.
Distance: Shira camp to Lava Tower to Barranco camp: 11 km
Change in elevation: Shira camp (3,845m) – Lava Tower (4,630m) – Barranco camp (3,960m)
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of summiting Barranco Wall (we recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups). Today the Barranco Wall stands before you to conquer. Some stages will require you to use your hands for a better grip, but no actual climbing is necessary and your guide will be with you every step of the way to lend a helping hand, of course they are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. The route with its numerous ascents and descents allow for further acclimatization, before reaching the mountain ridge. Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.
Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours you will have to complete ascend to Barafu Camp (4,640 m) where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Distance: Barranco camp to Barafu camp – 11 km
Change in elevation: Barranco camp (3,960m) – Barafu camp (4,640m)
Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
At around midnight you will be awoken by your guide with a warm cup of tea and biscuits to get you ready for your final ascent. The moon and your headlamps will be your only source of light as you make your way up to Stella Point, reaching the crater rim in about 5 – 7 hours. Another 1 – 2 hours will take you to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), where you can enjoy the sun rising over the African landscape, casting a pink hue over the snowy peak and making the glaciers sparkle like diamonds around you. Technically the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude. Each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your physical and mental conditions. After capturing this incredible view and achievement on film, you will start your descent along the same route back to Barafu Camp. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and after a 2-hour rest continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).
Note: Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.
Distance: Barafu camp to Uhuru peak – 15 km
Change in elevation: Barafu camp (4,640m) – Uhuru camp (5,895m) – Millenium camp (3,820m)
Hiking Time: 8-12 hours
Millennium camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will depart heading to the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your memorial certificates in our office and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.
Distance: Millennium camp to Mweka gate – 12 km
Change in elevation: Millennium camp (3,820m) – Mweka gate (1,640m)
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Spend some time resting in the hotel and transfer to the airport.
Note: Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.
