Mount Kilimanjaro; an expert guide to the Machame Route

The beautiful Machame Route is highly rated as the most scenic route of all those up Kilimanjaro, with diverse vegetation and wide views as well as a number of possible route choices beyond the Lava Tower Camp at 4630m.

Machame Route

Planning Your Climb
Machame Route can take either five or six days to complete, depending on the fitness of the climbers, and the final ascent is steep in each case. This route sets off from Machame village, and reaches the first Machame Camp at 3000m where the forest meets the heather. The track continues across moorland to Shira Camp on the western side of Kibo, with excellent views over the Shira Plateau.

Towards the Summit
From here it is usual to follow the Shira Route to the Lava Tower Hut and then join with the Umbwe route down to Barranco Camp for an overnight at 3950m, but very fit climbers may continue to ascend the much steeper route via Arrow Glacier, (although the hut here is no longer in use).

Those at Barranco Camp ascend to Barafu Camp by the Mweka route, and continue on this trail on the final ascent to the summit. This route will usually descend by the Mweka Route.

Possible Itinerary Suggestion

Day 1
Met on arrival at Arusha or Kilimanjaro and transferred to the Hotel for the night on a b&b basis. Time to prepare and rest before the trek up Mt Kilimanjaro.

Day 2
An early start with a drive to Machame gate. Begin trekking through the rain forests on a winding trail, for 5-7 hrs past the first uniport hut to the Machame hut campsite (3100m). Overnight.

Day 3
After breakfast, leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing a little valley and walking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the end of the ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge at 3658m (5-7 hours). Overnight at the Shira hut campsite (3800m).

Day 4
On this day after breakfast, continue to the nearby Shira Plateau, the Shira needles and cathedral. From the Shira Plateau continue trekking to the east towards the lava tower called the sharks tooth. Shortly after the tower you come to a junction leading to the arrow glacier. Continue to Barranco hut campsite(3900m) for overnight.(5-7 hours)

Day 5
Leaving Barranco and ascend the Barranco Wall with some wonderful views for the top. Then descend through the Karanga Valley to your next camp site for the night (about 3-4 hours).
 

Day 6
In the morning an easy day continue trekking to the Barafu hut campsite (4600m) for overnight. (3-4 hours). The two peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this point.

Day 7
An early start for Stella point (5745m) on the way to the Summit, Uhuru peak. This part of the climb takes about 8hrs. You have now reached the highest point in Africa (5895m)!! From the summit descend back to Barafu, (about 3 hours) then continue to Mweka hut campsite (3100m) for overnight. (5 hours).

Day 8
The day is spent descending to the Mweka gates, (5 hours), where you will be met & transferred to Arusha and to the hotel for the night on a b&b basis.

Includes:
Fully equipped expedition truck/vehicle
All cooking and camping equipment
3 meals a day whilst on the truck/vehicle
All game park fees and excursions as mentioned in the highlights, unless otherwise stated
Crew includes driver, trip leader and safari cook

Excludes:
Sleeping bag and mat
Personal insurance
Visas
Items of a personal nature
Meals taken in restaurants
Optional excursions.
 

Tanzania Safaris and Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking, East Africa:

Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895m (19,340ft) , is the highest mountain in Africa. Mount Kilimanjaro is located at 3.07S, 37.35E.


Kilimanjaro is the world's tallest free standing mountain.
Climbing mt. Kilimanjaro is a must for trekkers/ mountaineers.
Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time of the year.
Kilimanjaro has a permanent snow-cap.
Successful climb of Kilimanjaro requires good health and fitness.
Any moderately fit person can summit mount Kilimanjaro.
At least 6 days of trekking is recommended for trekking mt. Kilimanjaro.
Mount Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb.
Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania, is the closest Airport to fly into/out.