The Machame route was voted as the most beautiful climbing route in the world! This is due to the stunning views of Mount Meru, the impressive ascent along the Barranco wall and other highlights you see. The route has also well-maintained hiking trails. You can also see more of Kilimanjaro, because the Machame route takes a different route to the summit than for the descent.
The ascent via the Machame route takes a total of six days, but is also possible in seven days so that your body can acclimatize properly. We recommend this extra day as it increases your chances to reach the summit. In this case, you would take an extra day to hike from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp and day five of this route will correspond with day five and six of the Lemosho route.
How fit do you need to be to climb Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route?
Climbing Kilimanjaro is a real challenge due to the altitude, rate of ascent and different temperatures. During an average climbing day you will walk six to seven hours per day. If you are healthy and fit it is absolutely within reach. There are many things you can do to increase your chances to reach the summit and to make sure you enjoy the trek.
- It’s important you take your time. Don’t hike too fast so your body has time to adapt and acclimatize.
- Prepare. Being in good shape also makes the climb much easier. Go hiking a few months before the climb, especially multiple day hikes are excellent training. But also running and aerobic exercise are a good preparation.
- Add an extra day. It is always difficult to predict who will be affected by altitude sickness. By adding one extra day to your climb, you will reduce this risk. Since you spread the climb over more days and your body gets more time to get used to the higher altitude. We do really advice to do this to increase the chance of making it to the top.
If you like advice on how to prepare yourself for climbing Kilimanjaro, you can always contact us or read our blog How to prepare for climbing Kilimanjaro?
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb
- Day 2: Machame route 6 days, day 1: Machame Gate (1,800 m/ 5,905 ft) – Machame Camp (3,000m/ 9,840 ft)
- Day 3: Machame route 6 days, day 2: Machame Camp (3,000m/ 9,875 ft) to Shira Camp (3,840m/ 12,600 ft)
- Day 4: Machame route 6 days, day 3: Shira Camp (3,840 m/ 12,600 ft) – Lava Tower (4630 m/ 15,190 ft) – Barranco Camp (3,960m m/ 12,992 ft)
- Day 5: Machame route 6 days, day 4: Barranco Camp (3,960 m/12,992 ft) to Barafu Camp (4,640 m/15,223 ft)
- Day 6: Machame route 6 days, day 5: Barafu Camp (4,640 m/ 15,100 ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/ 19,340 ft) to Millennium Camp (3,820 m/ 12,532 ft)
- Day 7: Machame route 6 days, day 6: Millennium Camp (3,820 m/ 12,532 ft) – Mweka Gate (1,650 m/ 5,380 ft) – Hotel
- Day 8 – 9: Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb
Included/Excluded
- Park fees
- Pickup and transfer airport
- Private cook speaking fluently English
- Chairs and tables for breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Portable toilet
- 9 days
- Porters who carry your luggage
- Private guide speaking fluently English
- High quality tents (including dinner-tent)
- Rescue fee
Tour Plan
When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport our guide is there waiting for you. He then drops you off at your hotel, where you can relax from your flight.
Preparation for your climb: You meet your guide before the start of your climb, where he briefs you and offers advice on what to wear, what to pack, and other important tips to make your climb as comfortable as possible.
The first morning, your guide picks you up from the hotel and takes you to Machame Gate. The first part leads you through coffee and banana plantations, as well as an untouched and very green rainforest. After a five to six-hour hike, you reach the Machame Camp on the edge of the forest area with a heath zone. This is your first day at this altitude, so remember to drink plenty of water!
This second day on the mountain starts with another nice climb that is a little steeper. You first pass to a small circular cliff known as the picnic rock where you are rewarded with stunning views of Kibo (a peak of Kilimanjaro) and Shira (one of the other volcanic peaks). From the picnic rock, you hike on to Shira Camp via a beautiful route to have lunch and rest. If you wish, you can take an acclimatization walk towards the Lava Tower (to an altitude of 4120 meters and a distance of 2 km).
From Shira Camp to the beautiful Lava Tower, you go through many ascents and descents with amazing views along the way. You have lunch at Lava Tower for one to two hours for your body to acclimatize as you might feel uncomfortable with the increase in altitude. After lunch, you descend to Barranco Camp. Watch out for strange-looking flowering plants that grow up to five meters high! Barranco Camp is located at the foot of the imposing Barranco Wall, which is impressive in both its sheer size and steepness.
After breakfast, you depart Barranco Camp and hike towards Barranco Wall. After a challenging but enjoyable route, you reach the top of the Barranco wall and have a spectacular view of the Kibo volcano to your left and of the distant Mount Meru to your right. Then a more difficult hike starts through Karanga Camp, with many ascents and descents, after which you reach your camp for the night: Barafu Camp, the last camp before the summit! Enjoy a hot meal and make sure to relax and sleep, before your final ascent to the summit!
day is the day! Around midnight you start from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak. The climb leads over good trails and the most challenging part is the high altitude. Once you reach the summit you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise, which is quite impressive at this height! After a small time at the top, where you celebrate your ultimate triumph you descend slowly to the scenic Millennium Camp.
The Millenium camp is located in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up today, you feel a sense of relief from the reduced altitude and satisfaction from reaching the summit. After breakfast you take an easy walk to the park exit.
Your driver then brings you back to the hotel for a well-deserved rest!
Sadly, this is the end of your holiday and the time to go home has arrived. Enjoy your last hours in Tanzania before our driver comes to pick you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. Still longing for more? It's also possible to add a few days of safari or a beach holiday to your Kilimanjaro adventure!
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