7 Days Machame Route

Kilimanjaro climbing via Machame route

Machame is the climbing route which is a more difficult route than the Marangu route. The route is known to be the most scenic route of Kilimanjaro Mountain as it gives the climber an experience of the scenic view. The route is well known due to the success rate of the summit for the climbers at it gives a great time for acclimatization on the ascending to the Lover tower and descending to Baranco before heading up to Karanga and the Barafu to the Summit. With this route on the second day, you will join other climbers from Lemosho and Shira routes before heading to the lover tower up to the summit and descending through the Mweka gate as it is different from the Marangu route, the ascending route for the Machame route is not the same as the descending route, as you will be ascending via the Machame route and descending via the Mweka route to Mweka gate. The six days ascending and descending of the Kilimanjaro Mountain via the Machame route will be in the following manner.

Machame route

Highlight

First Cave Camp
First Simba Camp
Second Cave Camp
Kikelewa Camp
Mawenzi tarn Camp
Kibo Camp
Horombo

Day 1: Moshi to Rongai gate then to the first cave camp

On this day you will have a drive prior after your morning breakfast from the hotel you will be picked by the company driver to the Rongai gate. Here you will finalize the park registration and permit checks with your guide while your porters and the chef and incorporating all the equipments for easy carrying before you start the journey. From there you will start the trekking up to the Cave camp 1.

Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain Guide/Guides, chef/chefs and porters Walking through: cypress plantation of the montane forest

What to see: Kilimanjaro wildlife such as birds and the colobus Time and distance: 3 to 4hrs which is a distance of 6.5km Elevation: 1,800m/5,900ft to 2,600m/8,400ft

Meal plans: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: First Simba Camp to Second Cave Camp 3480m

The will starts with your breakfast then commence the morning hike which is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave Camp located in the moorland zone where you will be having a superb view of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. From there you will have a rest for the next day adventure.

Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain Guide/Guides, chef/chefs and porters

What to see: Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim Time and distance: 3 to 4hrs which is a distance of 5km Elevation: 3480m/11417ft

Walking through: The moorland zone Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Second Cave Camp to Kikelewa camp

On this day of your adventure you will continues with the ascending up, as the Rongai route does not have many steepness and it being straight and somehow seems to be short.

Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain Guide/Guides, chef/chefs and porters Walking through: Moorland forest

What to see: Kibo and Mawenzi peak view with the eastern ice field Time and distance: 3 to 4hrs which is a distance of 9km

Elevation: 3630m/11910ft

Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Kikelewa camp to Mawenzi tarn camp

This is the day for the altitude changes adaptations which is an acclimatization day, you will be having a walking in the afternoon and evening before the resting. The day seems to be short but with some steep walking. You will be resting and have an acclimatization walk in the evening.

Walking through: Senecio plants which are the last plant you see before the alpine desert

Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain Guide/Guides, chef/chefs and porters Time and distance: 3 to 4hrs which is a distance of 6km

What to see: Kibo and Mawenzi peak view Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Elevation: 4,330m /14,210ft

Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn camp to Kibo camp

This day you will be climbing up on reaching the last camp where you will be staying for your final days up there you will be crossing the lunar landscape of the saddle. At the camp you will be able to have the great view of your final day destination.

Walking through: Small ridges, the alpine desert between the two peaks Kibo & Mawenzi

Accompaniment: Experienced Mountain Guide/Guides, chef/chefs and porters Time and distance: 4 to 5hrs which is a distance of 9km

What to see: Kibo and Mawenzi peak view Meal plans: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Elevation: 4,700m /15,420ft

Day 6: Summit day (ascend for summit and descend down to Kibo then to Horombo)

This is the adventurous part through the Marangu route and is the memorable part as you are about to be certified with the Kilimanjaro climbing certificate. You will be leaving Kibo hut in the midnight of around 2:00Am start the climbing to the summit on steep heavy scree or sometimes snow up to the Gilman’s point which is located on the crater rim. From there you will be ascending to the Uhuru peak and reaching there, you are at the highest point in Africa or you have reached the roof of Africa. You will spend short time and from there you will be descending down through Kibo to the Horombo encampment.

Walking through: The steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point What to see: the great view at the Uhuru peak

Accompaniments: Mountain Guide/guides during summit and you will be joining the chef and porters at Kibo

Time & Distance: 6 to 8hrs Ascending up/ a hiking of 6km distance and 15km descending to Horombo

Equipments: Headlamps/flashlight, warm layers as it will be very cold before descending

Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3700m/12,200ft Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7:Horombo to Marangu gate and back to Moshi

After the morning breakfast you will continue the descending up passing through the Mandara hut and then continue the descending up to the Marangu gate where you

started the adventures and from there you will find the office team waiting for you and you will be picked and drove back to Moshi.

Accompaniments: Experienced Mountain Guide/guides chef/chefs and porters Time & Distance: 4 to 5hrs descending of 20km distance

Walking through: The moorland and lush forest Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft Meal plan: Breakfast,

What included

All transfers (pick up and drop off )
Park fees
Professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters
Filtered water throughout the trek
Fair wages for the mountain crew
Transportation to & from the mountain gate
3 meals daily while on the mountain
Pre and after Trek accommodation at the hotel

What is not included

Both National and International Flights
Visa fees
Items of a personal nature
Medical insurance for Kilimanjaro climbing
Laundry Services
A doctor for the group
Tips and gratitude for the mountain crew
A portable flush toilet

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