Machame is the climbing route which is more difficult route than the Marangu route. The route is known to be the most scenic route of the Kilimanjaro Mountain as it gives the climber an experience of the scenic view. The route is well known due to the success rate of summit for the climbers at it gives a great time for acclimatization on the ascending to the Lover tower and descending to Baranco before heading up to Karanga and the Barafu to the Summit. With this route on second day you will join other climbers from Lemosho and Shira routes before heading to the lover tower up to the summit and descending through the Mweka gate as it is different from the Marangu route, the ascending route for Machame route is not the same as the descending route, as you will be ascending via the Machame route and descending via the Mweka route to Mweka gate. The six days ascending and descending of the Kilimanjaro Mountain via the Machame route will be in the following manner.
Day 1, Moshi to Machame gate and hike up to Machame camp
On this day you will be picked and have a 50 minutes drive p to the Machame, at the gate you will complete the registration formalities and start the hiking up to the Machame camp.
Accompaniments: Mountain guide/guides, chef and porters
Time and distance: hiking of 5 to 6hrs a distance of 11km
Walking through: The misty montane forest
What to see: A fairytale forest which is lush, deep and green
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
Meal plans: Lunch & dinner
Day 2, Machame camp to Shira camp
the second day f your adventure to the roof of Africa via the Machame route will starts in the morning with a breakfast and after star the hiking deep up to the Shira plateau where you will have your overnight. This is a short hiking day as you will have just an hour hiking after your lunch up to the Shira camp.
Walking through: The moorland, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge
Accompaniments: Mountain guide/guides, chef and porters
Time and distance: hiking of 4 to 5hrs a distance of 5km
What to see: Kibo peak, the Western breach the Shira Cathedra and the sunset
Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower then to Baranco
This is the long day climbing where you will be ascending up to the lava tower which is the volcanic plug remain after the Kilimanjaro was volcanic. Thereafter you will be descending down to the Baranco valley which is the massive landline of some years back. Climbers tend to reach the Baranco camp through Machame, Shira, Lemosho and even the special northern route. Although at some point you might feet the shocking change of altitude and even experiencing the short of oxygen, but it is the best day for adaptation to the environment changes.
Walking through: The semi- desert rocky ground of the lava ridges
Accompaniments: Mountain guide/guides, chef and porters
Time and distance: hiking of 5 to 6hrs a distance of 10km
What to see: Kibo peak, the Western breach and the southern glaciers
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner
Day 4, Baranco camp to Karanga camp
This day it is when you can keep and myth or proves it to be just a myth, as the day will begin with attacking the Baranco wall, where the myth says only experienced climbers made it but with your energetic you can make it. It is a steep slope yes but it is no way that it needs a climbing experience. It takes an hour to climb it and from there you will suddenly see the great view of Kibo peak which is more closer from there, thereafter will be crossing the valleys until you reaches the Karanga valley camp.
Walking through: The Baranco wall and alpine desert valleys
Accompaniments: Mountain guide/guides, chef and porters
Time and distance: hiking of 4 to 5hrs a distance of 4km
What to see: Kibo peak, the Western breach and the southern glaciers
Elevation: 13,000ft to 13,100ft
Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner
Day 5, Karanga to Barafu
After the morning breakfast from the camp, you will leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. There after you continue the trekking up to the Barafu Hut. From there you have completed the South Circuit. This is the point which offers the great views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Walking through: Alpine desert
Accompaniments: Mountain guide/guides, chef and porters
Time and distance: hiking of 4 to 5hrs a distance of 4km
What to see: The Mawenzi and Kibo peaks
Elevation: 13,100ft to 15,300ft
Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner
Day 6, Summit and descend to Mweka camp
This is the dream come true day where you will be leaving in the midnight passing between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You will be heading to the northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim where you can stop and have some rest. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit at the Uhuru peak and from there you will meet a Congratulation spot sight that you have reached the highest peak in Africa and you are on the list of the successful people who has made it to the roof of Africa as you will be certified for that. After the summit you will take your way back descending down until you reach the Mweka camp.
Walking through: The crater rim
Accompaniments: Mountain guide/guides, on the summit then joining the chef and porters at Barafu on descending back
Time and distance: hiking of 5to 7hrs ascending and 5 to 6 hrs descending a distance of 5km up and 13km down respectively.
What to see: the great view at the Uhuru peak
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft up and 3090m/10,150ft down
Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner
Day 7, Mweka camp to Mweka gate then back to Moshi
This is the last day of your adventure to the roof of Africa where you will be taking your morning breakfast at the camp and then takes time to continue the descending up to the Mweka gate where you will meet Ngaiza Adventures staff waiting to pick you back to Moshi. On descending at the lower elevation it will be wet and muddy hence the gaiters and highly recommended to be used.
Walking through: Wet and muddy forestry ways
Accompaniments: Mountain guide/guides, chef and porters
Time and distance: hiking of 3 to 4hrs a distance of 10km
What to see: The forest and its features
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Meal plans: Breakfast .
- Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees and 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Both domestic and international Flights
- Tanzania Visa
- Items of a personal nature such as Mountain Climbing equipment
- Tips and gratitude for the mountain crew
- Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport $25 per route
- Pre and after Trek accommodation in Moshi Kilimanjaro