7 Days Machame Route

7 Days Machame Route description

YOUR ADVENTURE AWAITS

 Machame’s 7-Day Route Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing can be completed in 6 days, however 7 days on the mountain is recommended. The 7-Day Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route is the best since it allows climbers to acclimate and avoid altitude sickness. 

Your journey planned:

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  • Day 0: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport transfer to Arusha Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spar.
  • Day 1: Transfer from your hotel to Machame gate (1830m)—Machame Camp (3,000 m): 6-7 hours walk
  • Day :2 Machame Camp (3000m) to Shira Camp (3,840m); 4-6 hours walk
  • Day 3: Shira Camp (3840m) to Barranco Valley Camp (3,900 m.): 5-7 hours walk
  • Day 4: Barranco Valley Camp (3900m) to Karanga Camp (3963m) 5 hours walk
  • Day 5: Karanga Camp acclimatization day (3963) 1-2 hours walk
  • Day 6: Karanga Camp (3963m) to Barafu camp (4,600 m) 7-8 hours walk
  • Day 7: Descent Day from Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka gate (1630m)/Transfer to your Hotel in Arusha
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7 Days Machame Route Itinerary

So, roughly 53% of trekkers choose the Machame Route on Mount Kilimanjaro during the 7-day climb, and the Machame route is preferred by the most experienced trekkers. Many tourists come here to participate in charity climbs, solo climbs, or private climbs. It is designed for physically fit persons who have some trekking experience; however, many first-time climbers take the route and perform well. It is recognized as one of Kilimanjaro’s finest trails, and many climbers recommend it. Itinerary for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Machame, which includes staying on the summit for 6 nights while hiking. When it comes to Mount Kilimanjaro climbing, the Machame Climbing Route Itinerary is the most popular and selected by about 90% of climbers on the world’s highest and free-standing mountain. Many climbers prefer to climb Kilimanjaro on a budget, yet in some circumstances, climbing rates are nearly identical between companies. Your guide and porters will arrange an overnight stay at a campsite along the Machame Climbing Route Itinerary, which will take you all the way to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbing Kilimanjaro Machame Route is the best since it allows you to acclimate to the altitude, has adequate terrain, and so provides comfort for your walk, as well as an attractive panoramic vista covered by the mountain.

Tour starts from: Arusha Town
Tour end in: Arusha Town
Tour style: Private tour
Departure day: Every day of the week
Optimal Season: Dry season
Best time to travel: January, February, June to October every year around
Vehicle used on transfers: Shuttle bus for big groups climbers and Min van 4WD for small groups
Duration of the trekking: 7 days
Accommodation: Before and after trekking is included in the tour cost.

Day 0: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport— Transfer to your hotel in Arusha Town.

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will meet and greet by our shuttle driver who will transfer you to your hotel in Arusha town.
We stay at Arusha Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spar, which is a beautiful Hotel located on the lower slopes of Mount Meru and is a perfect place to prepare you for adventure. We will gather in the evening at 5:30 pm for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check. We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance. Dinner and overnight at Tulia Boutique Hotel &Spar. https://www.tuliahotelandspa.com/

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Hut (Full Board)

The climb starts from machame gate (1830m), we walk through the lush lower slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Slowly gaining altitude while enjoying the diverse flora and fauna of the rain forest, you will arrive to the first Machame Hut, situated at 3000m above sea level. If is a clear day we may get our first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo if the evening clouds permit. Machame Gate to Machame Camp (3,000 m): 6-7 hours walking.


Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp (Full Board)

A shorter day climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known as Picnic site, and continue up a gentler ascent through the lower alpine moorland, which is known for beautiful wild alpine flowers. The most spectacular views of Kibo peak can be seen from Shira Camp.
Machame Hut to Shira Camp (3,840m); 4-6 hours walking.

Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Valley (Full Board)

Today we walk on a gentle ascent and panoramic views. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and after hot lunch the bottom of the Lava Tower (4,600 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,900 m.).
Shira Camp to Barranco valley (3,900 m.): 5-7 hours walking.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga camp

Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to the camp for the overnight.

Day 5: Karanga Camp acclimatization day (3963) 1-2 hours walk.

The Machame trail is longer and better acclimatized than Marangu (2175 meters vs 2800 meters gained in 3 days), and is the most popular choice for fit and experienced trekkers who opt for the six-day climb. People over 40 years who are overweight or less fit and inexperienced trekkers are advised to take an extra day to acclimatize and adapt to high altitude conditions. The route covers around 62 kilometers from the Machame Gate in the south to the summit, via a number of different habitats and stunning viewpoints, returning along the steep Mweka descent trail. The first leg, through montane forest to the Shira Plateau, can be muddy and later aridly dusty. Trekking poles and gaiters are recommended. The trail continues east along the mountain through moorland with breathtaking sunset views. A climb close to the Karanga wall and dropping back at a lower altitude at Karanga Camp, gives an excellent chance of acclimatization.

Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (Full Board)

After breakfast at the camp, we take a steep climb out of Karanga, and an easy path on compacted scree with wide views through this empty and dry landscape up to Barafu Camp. The two peaks Kibo and Mawenzi can been seen from Barafu Camp. After a hot lunch at the Camp, the remainder of the day is spent resting as we prepare for the final ascent before an early night summit walk. Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (4,600 m): 7-9 hours walking.

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp (Full Board)

Wake up before midnight in the cover of darkness. We begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to rim of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5,735m. We will rest there for few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling good can continue slowly to make the two hours round trip from here along the crater rim to main peak (5,895 m), which is the highest point in Africa. After a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment, we descend to Barafu is amazingly fast, and we stop at Barafu Camp for some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach Mweka Camp. Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp (3100 m): 13-15 hours walking.

Day 7: Descent – Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Arusha (Full Board)

A gentle walk takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka gate successful climbers will receive their summit certificates. After lunch we drive back to Arusha Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spar for dinner and overnight stay. Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate: 3-5 hours walking.

The above rates include:

  • Personal trekking coordinator to assist throughout your preparation
  • 7 day a week toll free phone assistance
  • Transport to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport
  • 2 Nights Hotel
  • Breakfast at Hotel
  • Daily trip reports from the mountain to interested friends and family back home
  • Transportation to and from your selected route
  • All personal and group tents
  • English speaking guides
  • All Tanzanian National Park Fees
  • Government Climbing Taxes
  • All meals during the duration
  • Purified drinking water
  • Cross to Africa Safaris exclusive Guides, Assistant Guides, Chefs and Porters
  • Hot drinks at every meal
  • One tree planted on your behalf
  • Free wireless internet at the hotel
  • Solo Supplement included (if applicable)
  • Personal Summit Certificate signed by the National Park and your Guide
  • Climbing permits
  • All Meals while on Kilimanjaro and Safari
  • Daily Briefings
  • Sleeping pads
  • Private chemical toilets
  •  First Aid & Injury prevention kits
  • Emergency Oxygen
  • First Aid & Injury prevention kits
  • Mobile Communications
  • Pulse Oximeter

The above rates exclude:

  • International Flights and airport taxes
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Compulsory tips for guides, porters and cook (average tip is anything from US$140 to US$ 160 per hiker depending on the number of days and number of hikers in the group, as well as the route chosen)
  • Entry visa for Tanzania (US$50 per passport holder for most nationalities / US $ 100 per visa for USA passport holders)
  • Vaccination requirements (Yellow Fever – only compulsory if you travel to Tanzania via a Yellow Fever infected country, Meningitis & Hepatitis A remains optional, but recommended)
  • Covid-19 PCR Test per person US$ 50
  • Optional but highly recommended travel and medical insurance.
  • Standard Packages do not include Flying doctors’ memberships (Helicopter evacuation to Nairobi), but could be done at own arrangement
    Personal hiking/trekking gear
  • you could rent some of the gear in Tanzania

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