7 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro-Machame Route

From $2,428
2pax: per person sharing
Duration: 7 days trekking
Destinations: Kilimanjaro National Park, Mt Kilimanjaro
What to Expect:
- Climb the world’s tallest free-standing mountain.
- Most popular & highly rated Machame route of Mt.Kilimanjaro
- Budget friendly option & easy to access
- Trek to see snow on Mt. Kilimanjaro.
- Trekking in wilderness at high elevation up-to 5895m/19341feet.
- Climb in one of best months to climb Kilimanjaro.
- Once-in-life time experience.
Route Map
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro – Machame route | 7 Days
The 7 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro–Machame Route is the ideal schedule for this route, the easiest and one of the busiest Kilimanjaro routes. Remember ‘No whisky route’.
Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the top three natural wonders of Africa, is Africa’s tallest. At 19341ft, 5895m above sea level, it’s the highest walkable summit in the world. The diameter of its base is an incredible 40 miles. although just 3 degrees south of the equator, Kibo and Mawezi peaks have permanent snow and ice.
Active hikers have used the Machame route in 6 days however we recommend 7 days over 6 as the extra day makes a big difference to the success rate, improving acclimatization. 7 trekking days allow you ample opportunity to acclimatize, as you climb higher during the day but lose height to camp, giving you a strong chance of reaching the summit.
On the 7-day Machame route, the trek from Barranco to Barafu is broken up into two days, allowing for a short day just prior to the summit attempt. This is important because summit day begins very early, around midnight, so climbers are sleep-deprived going into the toughest day on the mountain. By having a short day beforehand, climbers can be better rested. The 7-day Machame route is highly recommended and used by the most prominent Kilimanjaro operators.
ITINERARY
Day 0: Arrival in Tanzania – Drive to Moshi
The first day on your amazing Kilimanjaro Machame Route journey is filled with anticipation. After arriving at the airport, you’ll be greeted warmly by our driver who’ll transport you to the hotel in Moshi. You’ll then settle down then attend an orientation session. Our experienced team leaders will guide you through all the important details of your trip and offer advice for a successful journey. Your hiking gear will then be carefully inspected and adjusted if necessary. The rest of the day is spent getting ready for your life-changing adventure. Dinner and stay overnight on half board basis.
Trek Day 1: Machame route 7 days – Machame Gate (1490m) – Machame Camp (2980m)
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 18 kilometers
Habitat: Montane forest
After an early breakfast at your hotel in Moshi, you will be picked up and driven to Machame Village. In the village, you can buy mineral water and will receive a packed lunch. From the village, depending on the road conditions, you will either continue driving 3 kilometers or walk to the Machame Gate (1490m). At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the lookout for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! About halfway up the trail, you will have a lunch break and you will reach the Machame Camp (2980) in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chef, who move very fast up the mountain, will reach camp before you and set up your tents and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served. For overnight, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!
Trek Day 2: Machame route 7 days – Machame Camp (2980m) – Shira Camp (3840m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 9 kilometers
Habitat: Moorland
After early morning breakfast, you will start your ascent leaving the rain forest and entering the heathland moorland vegetation. You will cross many streams and walk over a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau that leads to Shira Camp (3840m). At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and its glaciers in the East. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks and then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.
Trek Day 3: Machame route 7 days – Shira (at 3840m) – Lava Tower (at 4630m) – Barranco camp (at 3950m)
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat: Semi-desert
Following an early morning breakfast, you will leave the moorland environment and enter the semi-desert and rocky landscape. After 5 hours of walking east, you will come face to face with the Lava Tower (4630m). Packed lunches are served at the Tower and hikers have the option of climbing the massive Lava Tower weather permitting. At this point of the hike, it is normal for hikers to start feeling the effects of the altitude including headaches and shortness of breath.
After lunch, you will descend from Lava Tower (4630m) to the Barranco Campsite (3950m). The 6800m descent gives hikers a huge advantage to allow their bodies to adjust to the conditions of high altitude. The descent to camp takes around 2 hours to reach. It is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall (“Breakfast Wall”). Drinking and washing water and dinner will be served as hikers view the sun setting.
Trek Day 4: Machame route 7 days – Barranco Camp (3950m) – Karanga Camp (3950m)
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Distance: Approximately 5 kilometers
Habitat: Alpine desert
After early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. This is an ideal hiking day for acclimatization.
Trek Day 5: Machame route 7 days – Karanga Camp (3959m) – Barafu Hut (4600m)
Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Distance: Approximately 4 kilometers
Habitat: Alpine desert
Following breakfast, you will leave Karanga Camp (3959m). The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu Camp (4550m). The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!
Trek Day 6: Machame route 7 days – Summit Attempt
Barafu camp (4600m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 7-8 hours to descend to Mweka
Distance: Approximately 7-kilometer ascent and 23-kilometer descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Your guide will wake you up around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest and you will ascend over stone scree. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In about 6 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5685m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 2 hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours.
At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Mweka Hut (3100m). The Mweka Trail will lead you through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.
Trek Day 7: Machame route 7 days – Mweka camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat: Forest
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
Day 8: Departure from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport.
If you are flying back home we mostly recommend booking an evening flight so that you can spend the afternoon doing shopping in Arusha and of course, this is the reason why we booked your last night’s accommodation in Arusha. This is the beating heart of the wild and the last port of civilization. The markets of Arusha burst with color, and throng with locals picking up their weekly wares. The numerous cafes sell dark and deliriously good coffee from the plantations, and close by the infamous National Park lures visitors in to explore her evocative Maasai culture and exotic flora and fauna. In the late evening, depending on your flight time we will come to pick you up and drop you at Airport.
End of our service.
Price Includes
- Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport;
- Transfer to the hotel — in Moshi;
- Half Board accommodations prior to and after the climb (including dinner and breakfast);
- Transfer to the trailhead at Machame gate;
- Professional mountain crew. All guides have “Wilderness First Responder” and “Wilderness First Aid” certificates, along with over 7 years of experience in climbing. Each participant will be provided with a porter (who can carry up to 15 kg of personal baggage);
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits;
- Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees;
- Camping gears (mattress, guest tent, porter tent, kitchen tent, mess tent, table, and chairs);
- 3 square meals daily. The menu includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit, and vegetables; vegetarian options are available upon request;
- Oxygen systems and pulse oximeters;
- First aid kit;
- Meeting at Machame gate exit and transfer to the hotel in Arusha;
- International certificates for a successful ascent;
- Return transfer to Kilimanjaro airport.
** During the climb you will share a tent with other climbers, the capacity of each tent is 2 people.
Price Excludes
- International and domestic flights;
- Entry visa and Airport taxes;
- Things of personal nature;
- Mountain crew tips;
- Medical evacuation in emergency;
- Extra mountain gears (are available for hire);
- Laundry services at the hotel (before and after the ascent);
- Personal gear rentals;
- Mountaineering insurance.
ACCOMMODATION:
- Luxury Lodges: (Kilemakyaro Mt. Lodge + Onsea House
- Mid-Range Lodges: (Kilimanjaro Wonders + Arusha Safari Lodge
- Budget Hotel: (Salinero Hotel + The Okaseni Lodge
Request a quote for this trip
By Submitting your details you agree to our data Privacy Policy and Booking Terms