Machame Route 7 days
Route: Machame
Machame Route 7 days Itinerary
For travelers who have a few extra days in their schedule, Machame route is an excellent option. One or two additional days of acclimatization can make a big difference in the success rate, so trekkers who choose this route reach the summit more often, despite the fact that this is a more challenging hike than the Marangu route.
One of the biggest and most intimidating of those challenges is the Barranco Wall, a steep cliff face that can look quite scary upon the first approach. In reality, Barranco isn’t nearly as frightening or difficult as it first appears, although you will have to watch your step, and possibly use your hands for extra leverage while scrambling over certain sections. The climb usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half to complete, and the view from the top makes it worth the effort.
The downside of the Machame Route is that it can get crowded at times. Because it is so scenic and offers a few extra days to acclimate, it is a popular choice for Kilimanjaro trekkers, which can make the trail and campsites very busy, particularly during the high season.
Still, if you’re looking for the quintessential Kilimanjaro experience, it is difficult to beat the Machame route.
Climbing Kilimanjaro offers Machame as a seven-day climb or as a six-day climb. The six-day variation combines days four and five, going from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp without staying at Karanga. You Skip Karanga Camp
Climbing Kilimanjaro offers Machame as a seven-day climb or as a six-day climb. The six-day variation combines days four and five, going from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp without staying at Karanga. You Skip Karanga Camp
For travelers who have a few extra days in their schedule, the Machame route is an excellent option. One or two additional days of acclimatization can make a big difference in the success rate, so trekkers who choose this route reach the summit more often, despite the fact that this is a more challenging hike than the Marangu route.
One of the biggest and most intimidating of those challenges is the Barranco Wall, a steep cliff face that can look quite scary upon the first approach. In reality, Barranco isn’t nearly as frightening or difficult as it first appears, although you will have to watch your step, and possibly use your hands for extra leverage while scrambling over certain sections. The climb usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half to complete, and the view from the top makes it worth the effort.
The downside of the Machame Route is that it can get crowded at times. Because it is so scenic and offers a few extra days to acclimate, it is a popular choice for Kilimanjaro trekkers, which can make the trail and campsites very busy, particularly during the high season.
Still, if you’re looking for the quintessential Kilimanjaro experience, it is difficult to beat the Machame route.
Climbing Kilimanjaro offers Machame as a seven-day climb or as a six-day climb. The six-day variation combines days four and five, going from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp without staying at Karanga. You Skip Karanga camp
Starting from Machame Gate to the summit and finishing at Mweka Gate. For a day-by-day itinerary for the Machame Route please click on this link: 7 day Machame Route
Machame Route 7 days ITINERARY
Arrive in Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you are met after passing through customs. Transfer toNgare Sero Mountain Lodge and have a comprehensive briefing and equipment check with your climbing manager and your guide. Overnight at Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge
Accommodations: Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrival
ACCLIMATIZATION DAY
Mount Meru Day trip
Acclimatize during a day at Arusha National Park the foothills of Mount Meru (the second highest peak in Tanzania ). Spot wildlife on foot as you warm up for your climb accompanied by an armed ranger.
Overnight: Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge
TREK DAY 1
Arusha to Machame Camp
Altitude gain: 5,380 to 9,350’; Hiking time: 5-7 hours, 7 miles
Drive from Arusha to Mt Kilimanjaro National Park, passing by the village of Machame to meet your climb crew at the Machame Gate. As you begin the gentle ascent, the trail winds through the verdant Afromontane rainforest that beards Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes. Moss and tattered lichen dangle from tall branches, tree ferns rest in soft cradles, and begonias, busy Lizzie impatiens, and violas bloom year-round in multiple colors on the forest floor. Many species of birds – as well as colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and other creatures of the forest – can be seen and heard. The first camp is set amongst giant heather at Machame Camp.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
TREK DAY 2
Shira Camp
9,350 ft to 12,500 ft, 3 miles, approx. 4-6 hours
Leaving the glades of the rainforest behind, you continue on an ascending path along a steep ridge onto heather-clad moorland. This is known as the heath zone and, as the vegetation becomes more sparse, attractive helichrysum and lobelia are the only plants dominating the harsh mountain landscape. Various geological features can be observed, ranging from lava tubes to glacial valleys. A picnic lunch is taken on trail today. Continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira Plateau. By now you can see the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers, and after a short hike, you reach the Shira Camp. Your tent tonight can definitely be described as “a room with a view” looking out towards the snow-dusted Kibo peaks. Overnight Shira Camp.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Campin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
TREK DAY 3
Barranco Camp
12,500 ft to 15,223 ft (Lava Tower), down to 13,044 ft, 7km, 6-8 hours
Today is a walk-high sleep-low day. You ascend into the alpine desert towards the main peak of Kibo, where the western glaciers become clearly visible. Lunch is taken as a picnic en route. If you feel very strong there is an optional ascent of the 300-foot-tall Lava Tower before descending to Barranco Camp in the afternoon, passing through the strange yet beautiful ‘Garden of the Senecios’ (giant groundsel), which also features many giant lobelias. The Barranco Valley is one of the prettiest areas of the entire trail. This is a long day but the next time you head to this altitude is in two days’ time, making this a great acclimatization day! Overnight at Barranco Camp.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
TREK DAY 4
Karanga Camp
13,044 ft to 13,123 ft, 3 miles, 4-5 hours
You now have a relatively short day to reach Karanga Camp, after conquering the intimidating Barranco Wall. Be prepared to use all four limbs as you traverse the wall to the top of the Karanga Valley. From here, follow a path that sojourns through many inclines and declines to Karanga Camp, arriving in the late afternoon. Our selection of Karanga Camp is strategic – significant time at altitude is essential for safe acclimatization. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering over 3000 feet above you. Overnight at Karanga Camp.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
TREK DAY 5
Barafu Camp
13,123 ft to 15,288 ft, 2 miles, 4-5 hours
Today is another half day ascending to Barafu Camp. Once again lunch is taken in this high camp, allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and, at times, strong winds rip over this camp, yet in the evening's splendid views of Mawenzi Peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before resting for the evening. Overnight at Barafu Camp.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
TREK DAY 6
Summit Ascent, Mweka Camp
15,288 ft to 19,341 ft to 12,467 ft, 3 miles ascent, 7 miles descent, 7-8 hours ascent, 4-6 hours descent
Depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit, and this is the coldest, windiest section of your adventure. Most likely by dawn, as the first rays of light start to appear across the Tanzanian landscape, you arrive near the rim at Stella Point, at an altitude of 18,652ft. Here, you are rewarded with the most glorious sunrise you are ever likely to see, appearing over Mawenzi Peak.
Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! Take as many pictures as you can! After a short celebration at the summit, begin the ebullient trek down. Go slowly and enjoy the wonderful rainforest scenery as you head towards Mweka Camp, arriving before dusk. With every step the air has more and more oxygen so although your legs will be jelly your heart will be light. Overnight Mweka Camp.
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
TREK DAY 7
Arrive in Arusha
12,467 ft to 5,380 ft, 6 miles, 3-4 hours
After breakfast you descend once again through montane forest and at around midday, after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your hotel for a well-deserved shower and a celebratory dinner!
Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
TREK DAY 8
Departure
Today you have a dayroom to pack, freshen up, and get ready for your flight home or your onward adventures in East Africa.
Included in this Trek :
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents:
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
- All Park fees Airport transfers Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Oximeter
- Medical Kit
- Emergency oxygen
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Accommodation in Arusha
- Portable toilet
Items not included:
- Flights
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Visa fees
- Tips Personal spending monies for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is the Machame Route?
The Machame route is considered one of the less difficult routes on Kilimanjaro, as it's a longer itinerary, allowing for better acclimatization. However, hikers will still need to ascend the Barranco Wall and climb steeply on summit night. No technical climbing is required but a good level of fitness is highly recommended. You can read more on training to climb Kilimanjaro and our Kilimanjaro training program page to help you prepare accordingly.
What is the distance of the Machame Route and how many days does it take?
The approximate trekking distance for the Machame Route is 62 km or 37 miles the entire climb is from the trailhead up to the summit and all the way down to Mweka gate. The shortest number of days required for Machame Route is 6 days, but by the time you have added on arrival and departure days, it is 10. However, as it is a much longer approach route it is actually best done over 7 or 8 days to increase your chances of success.
What is the Machame Route Summit Success Rate?
Due to its climb high sleep low mechanism, summit success rates on the Machame route are very high. Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate across all operators is 85% for the 7-day trek and a 73% success rate for the 6-day trek. However, We have a 95% summit success rate for the Machame route. Read more about how many days it takes to climb Kilimanjaro to know why we recommend longer treks.
What is the Scenery like on the Machame Route?
The scenery is extremely varied and you will pass through 5 climatic zones on your way to the summit. The trek begins in the rain forest on the lower slopes before continuing up into the low alpine zone of wild grasslands and moorlands.
From there you trek into the high alpine zone before reaching the glacial zone. You will encounter many incredible vistas and visit stunning places such as Shira Plateau, Barranco, and Lava Tower.
When is the best time to Trek Machame Route?
July-September is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro, as the weather is most stable during this period, and encountering rain is less likely. That said, since it is close to the equator it is possible to climb the mountain at any time of the year. April and May is the rainy season so this period is best avoided.
