7 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trekking
per person
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Destination
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Departure
Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)/Moshi -
Dress Code
See the article regarding Mt Kilimanjaro Packing List
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Moshi Arrival
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) our driver will be waiting just outside the Customs Control area with a Nyange Adventure sign with your name on it. After he loads your bags into our van, he will drive you to your hotel in Moshi. Once you are settled in, your guide will go through a pre-climb briefing where all your questions will be answered and important information will be given. There will be an equipment check to ensure that you have everything needed to make your climb comfortable and safe. If you need any equipment, any/all items can be rented locally of good quality at a fair price. Note that if your arrival is at night, the briefing and equipment check may be done early the next morning instead.
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Day 1: Machame Gate (1,800m/5,900ft) to Machame Camp (3,000m/9,800ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,200 metres / 3,900 feet
Hiking Time: Approximately 6 to 7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
After breakfast, you’ll get picked up from your hotel in Moshi and driven to the starting point at Machame Gate (approximately 1 hour). After registration, you will begin your journey to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro using a well-maintained trail through montane forest. On the way, you’ll walk through dense rainforest and coffee plantations as your guide talks you through some of the local flora and fauna. Here you will also get a good chance of observing black and white colobus monkeys, as well as many different species of brightly-coloured tropical birds. The climb is steady and gradual incline to Machame Camp which is located on the edge of the rainforest and giant heather zones.
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Day 2: Machame Camp (3,000m/9,800ft) to Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft)
Elevation Gain: 840 metres / 2,800 feet
Hiking Time: Approximately 5 to 6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
On the second day, you’ll rise early for breakfast and continue your Mount Kilimanjaro climb on a slightly steeper gradient through the moorland vegetation zone. Here you will start to get fantastic views of Kibo, the summit cone of Mount Kilimanjaro, while continuing along a rocky ridge to Shira Plateau. Shira is a collapsed volcanic crater and was the first of Mount Kilimanjaro’s three volcanic cones to expire. Once on the plateau, the trail becomes a little easier as you make your way to Shira Camp. If it’s a clear day, you’ll also get to enjoy superb panoramic views. Shira Camp is very exposed and will feel much colder with temperatures dropping below freezing point.
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Day 3: Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft) to Barranco Camp (3,850m/12,650ft) via Lava Tower (4,550m/14,900ft)
Elevation Gain: 710 metres / 2,300 feet
Elevation Loss: 700 metres / 2,250 feet
Hiking Time: Approximately 6 to 7 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
The route now takes you into semi-desert and rocky landscapes surrounding Lava Tower, a 300ft high volcanic rock formation. You’ll then ascend the rocky scree path to Lava Tower for great panoramic views, before a steep descent into the Barranco Valley. You may find this trek a little tougher than the previous days as some hikers may start to experience symptoms of altitude sickness. Although you will finish today’s climb at almost the same elevation as you started, this is very good practice for acclimatization and will help prepare your body for the Uhuru Peak summit attempt a few days later. Barranco Camp lies below the imposing Barranco Wall in a beautiful, sheltered valley
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Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,850m/12,650ft) to Karanga Camp (3,995m/13,106ft)
Elevation Gain: 145 meters / 456 feet
Hiking Time: Approximately 4 to 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
This will be a shorter day of hiking to allow for acclimatization. After breakfast, you will begin to ascend the Barranco Wall and hike glacial valleys – but don’t worry, it is easier than it looks! From the top of the wall, you will then cross a series of hills and valleys before descending into Karanga Valley. After one more steep climb, you’ll reach Karanga Camp where you will relax for the afternoon before dinner and an overnight rest.
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Day 5: Karanga Camp (3,995m /13,106ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m /15,100ft)
Elevation Gain: 605 metres / 1,994 feet
Hiking Time: Approximately 3 to 4 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast, you will leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects to the Mweka Trail - a route used only in descending. You will then continue along the rocky ridge for 1 to 2 hours before reaching Barafu Camp, which offers stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit from various angles. Your tents will be pitched along a narrow and rocky ridge with high winds. It’s therefore worth taking some time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings before it gets dark. Rest for the night at Barafu Camp and prepare for the upcoming trek to the main goal - Uhuru Peak..
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Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,300ft) then descending to Mweka Camp (3,110m/10,200ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,295 metres / 4,200 feet
Elevation Loss: 2,785 metres / 9,100 feet
Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours to Uhuru Peak; 7 to 8 hours to Mweka Camp
Habitat: Arctic conditions
This is where the going gets tough! Just before midnight, you will venture into the night and begin your final ascent to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Head northwest through the heavy stone scree following multiple switchbacks between Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers until you reach Stella Point (5,756m). This section is probably the most challenging part of the route, and will require great physical and mental effort. Continue to move slowly, always listening to your guide. After a short rest at Stella Point, you will hike along the crater rim for another hour before reaching your ultimate goal – Uhuru Peak!
Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend there, but it is important to start your descent before long to ensure you get enough rest back at Barafu Camp. After your rest, you’ll gather the rest of your belongings and descend to Mweka Camp (3,100m) where you’ll enjoy dinner and a well-earned sleep!
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Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka Gate (1,980m)
Elevation Loss: 1,280 metres / 4,220 feet
Hiking time: Approximately 3 to 4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
After eating breakfast, you will begin the easiest part of your adventure on Mount Kilimanjaro via a scenic path through the forest to Mweka Gate. Our driver will be waiting to take you back to Moshi where certificates for reaching Stella Point or Uhuru Peak will be awarded. You can use this opportunity to tip your mountain staff and say goodbye to your new-found friends. We are sure that a long hot shower and celebrations will ensue.
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Departure Day
Our driver will be available at any time to take you to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home (or to Zanzibar?). Breakfast is included in your Kilimanjaro Trek Package. Hotel Checkout is at 10am but if you have a later flight we might be able to negotiate a late checkout or book a dayroom for you (additional charge for a dayroom).
2024/2025 Prices
(All prices listed are in USD/person)
# Climbers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7+ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $3933 | $3100 | $2778 | $2700 | $2656 | $2611 | $2556 |
Note: There is a substantial discount for Youths age 15 or under, East African Citizens, and Tanzanian Resident Permit Holders (class A, B, or C).
Climb Package Includes:
- 2 nights accommodations in Moshi (B&B plan, double occupancy)
- Kilimanjaro (JRO) Airport transfers
- Transfers hotel/park gate
- Park fees & taxes
- Sleeping mattress
- Meals while on the mountain
- Purified drinking water while on the mountain
- Emergency oxygen cylinders
- English-speaking guide (other languages are possible with advance notice)
- Mountain chef & all cooking/eating utensils
Climb Package Excludes:
- Climb staff tips
- Meals other than breakfast at Moshi hotel
- Single supplement (if applicable)
- Flights & Tourist Visa
- Medical Insurance (required for all participants)