Tour Overview
If Marangu is the "Coca Cola" route, then the Machame Route is the "Whiskey" route. It is the second most popular and one of the most scenic routes on the mountain. All climbers sleep in complimentary tents and meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside. It is done over 6 days, so acclimatization is easier, and the success rate is fairly high. It is for physically fit people with some hiking experience. Descent is down the Mweka trail staying at the Mweka Camp.
Included/Exclude
National Park gate fees
Transport from Moshi to the mountain starting point and return
Camping fees
Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides
Porters' salaries
Rescue fees (required by the national park)
All meals on the mountain
Cooking equipment and eating utensils
2 nights accommodation at The Maridadi hotel or similar
Airport transfers from Kilimanjaro airport
International flights (From/to home)
Lunches, dinners, and drinks at your hotel in Moshi
Tips (Tipping guideline US$50.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fee
Mountain gear
Tour Plan
Your day begins bright and early with a briefing, followed by a hearty breakfast. You'll then embark on a 45-minute drive from Moshi (910m) to the Machame Park Gate. At the gate, you'll receive a packed lunch box, and it's a good idea to purchase bottled water at The Maridadi Hotel in Moshi beforehand. After registering at the gate office, your ascent starts as you enter the rainforest. Be prepared for rain, which can make the trail very soggy, muddy, and slippery. In the evening, porters will boil water for drinking and washing, while the cook prepares dinner. As night falls, temperatures at Machame camp can drop to freezing, so be ready for a cold night under the stars.
You wake up early at Machame Camp and, after breakfast, climb for about an hour through the forest. Then, you'll walk at a gentler slope for 2 hours in the moorland zone. After a quick lunch and rest, you’ll hike up a rocky ridge to the Shira plateau. From there, you’ll have a view of the Western Breach and its glaciers to the east. You’ll reach the Shira Campsite at 3,847 meters. The porters will give you a small bowl of water to wash with before dinner. Be prepared for a very cold night, as temperatures will drop well below freezing.
The route today heads east, taking you through a semi-desert landscape and rough terrain around Lava Tower. After about 5 hours of trekking, you'll reach Lava Tower at 4,600 meters. You'll stop for lunch at a designated area before tackling the challenging scree path up to the tower. This day is usually the hardest, and you might feel breathless, irritable, or have a headache as you push your limits.
After lunch, you'll descend nearly 680 meters to the Barranco camping area. This descent helps with acclimatization, making the high altitude of Lava Tower easier to handle. The 2-hour descent to Barranco Camp offers great photo opportunities of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley beneath the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, where you'll spend the night.
After breakfast, you'll leave Barranco and climb the steep ridge, including the challenging Barranco Wall, on your way to the Karanga Valley campsite. From Karanga, you'll follow the trail to where it meets the Mweka Trail and then continue up to Barafu Camp.
With the South Circuit completed, you’ll get unique views of the summit from different angles. At Barafu Camp, set up your camp, rest, and have dinner while getting ready for the summit day.
At Barafu Camp, you'll enjoy stunning views of both Mawenzi and Kibo, Kilimanjaro's main peaks. You'll stay in a spacious, comfortable tent with a private toilet and hot shower, and the staff will handle all camp duties.
You’ll wake up around 11:30 PM, have a quick tea and biscuits, and then start your night climb. Heading northwest, you’ll face the challenging scree slope towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour trek to Stella Point (5,685 meters) is very demanding both mentally and physically. Once you reach Stella Point, take a brief rest and, if the weather is clear, enjoy the breathtaking sunrise.
From Stella Point, you’ll continue climbing through snow for about 2 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, the summit. Spend only a short time at the top to avoid the extreme cold and fatigue. Enjoy the incredible achievement and the experience.
The descent back to Barafu Camp takes around 3 hours. After a short rest and packing your gear, you'll continue down to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters) for dinner and an overnight stay.
After a hearty breakfast, you'll start a 4- to 6-hour scenic hike back to the park gate. Some hikers may experience knee issues, which could extend the descent time. It's best to wait until you and all your gear are safely at the gate before giving tips to your porters; more information on this can be found on the tips page.
At Mweka Gate, you'll sign the register and receive your summit certificate. Climbers who reached Stella Point (5,739 meters) get a green certificate, while those who made it to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) receive a gold certificate.
From Mweka Gate, you'll continue on a typically muddy 3 km (about 1 hour) hike to Mweka Village, where you'll enjoy a delicious hot lunch. After lunch, you'll drive back to Moshi for a well-deserved hot shower, dinner, and celebrations.
