Tour Overview
The Machame Route offers breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro’s varied landscapes, from the Shira Plateau to the stunning Barranco Wall. Climbers tackle challenging sections like the Lava Tower, and the journey culminates with a summit attempt at Uhuru Peak.
This comprehensive 8-day expedition not only promises the thrill of reaching the roof of Africa but also immerses climbers in Kilimanjaro’s unparalleled natural beauty and diverse ecosystems.
8 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing Machame route
Day 1: Nairobi – Moshi
Depart Nairobi with Davanu Tourist bus for Moshi passing via the Kenya & Tanzania border – Namanga. After going through the Immigration office, you proceed on to Arusha where you get a brief stop over for lunch – NOT INCLUDED. Later proceed on to Moshi where you arrive by 4 p.m. Overnight at the spring land hotel on B/B basis.
Day 2: Machame Park Gates – Machame camp
After breakfast, you are transferred to the Machame park gates where you enter the rain forest. The hike keeps you amongst the giant trees for about 4 hours. Picnic lunch en route, after which you are almost at Machame camp 3000m for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Shira Hut
After breakfast, you climb out of the rain forest and into a moorland zone. After about a 5 hours hike, picnic lunch and arrive at the Shira plateau – Shira hut at 3840m for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Barranco Camp
After spending the night at near zero degrees Celsius, rise early and head off due east, straight towards Kibo. After about 2 hours, gain altitude sharply toward Lava Tower 4570m and it is normally around this point where the first signs of altitude sickness could show. Descend to Barranco camp at 3900m.
Day 5: Barafu Hut
After spending a night at the Great Barranco wall, you will appreciate how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. A long hike through the Karanga Valley joins with Mweka route. This is preferred route down the summit. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you reach Barafu hut, 4750m and you will now be at same altitude as the day before at Lava Tower .
Day 6: Mweka Camp
A steep and difficult hike of about 6 hours brings you to the crater rim at Stella Point. Proceed on to reach Uhuru peak before turning back to Barafu and then Mweka camp 3100m for overnight.
Day 7: Moshi
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short and scenic hike back to the park gate to get your certificate of achievement for having reached the summit. Transfer to spring land hotel Moshi for overnight on B/B basis.
Day 8: Moshi – Nairobi
After breakfast, you are transferred to connect with your transport vehicle back to Nairobi arriving by 6.30 p.m.