Machame Route on Kilimanjaro
Overview of the Machame route
Expert Recommendation
Machame Route Detailed Itinerary
Day 1; Arrival
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet an Again Expeditions representative for your transfer to the hotel included in the package rate. The hotel is well-prepared to ensure a comfortable stay, offering cozy rooms, hot water, attentive staff, a swimming pool, and reliable Internet access. In the evening, you will attend a briefing with our managers, who will go over all details and ensure you are fully prepared for the climb.
Private tour packages include shared airport transfers for your group, while additional individual transfers may incur extra charges. To minimize costs, we recommend coordinating your group’s arrival and departure times.
Day 3; Trekking From Machame Gate To Machame Camp
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s entrance: Machame Gate. After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp. The trekking route passes through the rainforest where tropical showers are highly probable, so we recommend you take not only spare clothes but also a raincoat.
PLEASE NOTE: This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
- Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently);
- To help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness, consider using a preventive measure like a high-altitude aid medicine. Many mountain climbers take such pills in the morning, before they begin their ascent, to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. Our managers will provide more specific details together with your travel itinerary. We recommend consulting your doctor prior to the trip to discuss any potential allergies or health concerns.
Day 3; Trekking From Machame Camp To Shira Camp
After breakfast, you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp. On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Technically speaking, trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 400 m /1,312 f gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp, you will be served a hot dinner.
PLEASE NOTE: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
Day 4; Trekking From Shira Camp To The Lava Tower and Descent To Barranco Camp
After breakfast, you will leave Shira Camp and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,600 m /15,088 f). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 m /15,088 f. Portions of the trek may be difficult, and it is common to experience some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1–2 hours here. For this reason, our groups enjoy lunch at the top of Lava Tower.
After lunch, you will descend to Barranco Camp. Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day you will be climbing it, but don’t worry: it features a very simple hiking trail is not intimidating at all.
Day 5; Trekking From Barranco Camp To Barafu Camp
Your group will have an early start this morning, after enjoying a filling breakfast you will begin climbing Barranco Wall. Wwe recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups, which can slow you down. Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.
Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don’t worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours you will have to ascend to Barafu Camp where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before the night summit.
Day 6; Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Millennium Camp
Your team will depart from Barafu Camp at night and begin the final summit to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m /19,336 f). Technically speaking, the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude, which makes even regular physical activity feel strenuous. Each pair of climbers will be under the care of a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor their physical and mental condition. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier, if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and enjoy a 2-hour rest before continuing your descent to Millennium Camp.
PLEASE NOTE: Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including most broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.
Day 7; Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate
Millennium Camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of altitude and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park’s exit: Mweka Gate. After your descent, the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you with a transfer back to your hotel.
Day 8; Departure
Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.
PLEASE NOTE: Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.