A 7-day route from $340
Considered to be the most beautiful and scenic of the various routes up Mount Kilimanjaro, the Machame Route is appropriate for more adventurous hikers who wish for a more physically demanding climb than Marangu or Rongai can offer.Machame is presently the most popular route despite its higher degree of difficulty, so you can expect to not be the only one climbing. You can choose to complete this route in either 7 days or 6 days.
You will be met at the International Airport of by your driver-guide and our representative. We will take you to the Mount Meru Game Lodge. This charming lodge is situated near the majestic Mount Meru and provides wonderful views. Watch wild animals in their natural habitat at the lodge’s attached game sanctuary. Our Kilimanjaro expert will come to meet you and provide a briefing on your climb followed by dinner.
After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to the Machame Park Gate (5,870 feet/1,790 meters). After registering with the park authority, we’ll begin our climb through the lush forest. Trekkers will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above, and many even see black and white colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys as they hike along the knotted roots. We’ll continue on to some heath land before reaching our overnight camp at Machame Camp (9,875 feet, five to seven hours of walking), just above the forest zone. The trek is quite long, but not steep. All meals included.
Today’s segment of the ascent will continue across beautiful heath land and afro-alpine moorland with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Peak. We begin up the steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, and trees of Giant Heather and Erica. Scramble around large boulders as you enter the moorland zone, marked by lobelia and senecia plants, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards, which protect wild alpine flowers growing at their bases. We’ll overnight at Shira Camp (12,615 feet, four to five hours of walking). All meals included.
We’ll draw nearer the peak as we get closer to the Lava Tower. The trek becomes a bit more strenuous as the trail steepens on the approach to the lava Tower, a 300 foot tall volcanic plug that marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet. In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a col (flat area) enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjari) and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia. Then, we slowly ascent to our overnight stop at Barranco Camp (12,990 feet, five to six hours of walking). All meals included.
The day will begin with a descent into the Gorge, before we climb its eastern wall where we will enjoy views of Kilimanjaro’s ice fields, an equatorial anomaly. We will continue trekking following the lava ridge to the Barafu Camp. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting as a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight. Barafu Camp (15,225 feet, six to seven hours of walking) All meals included.
Just after midnight we start on a challenging trek (12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 12:00 to 1:00 a.m., passing between the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers to the rim at Stella Point. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight to between 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 degrees Celsius) to –10 Fahrenheit (-23 degrees Celsius) just before dawn at the summit. As dawn nears, we’ll summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet. Uhuru will be the culmination of, and the reward for, six to seven hours of strenuous hiking. We’ll then descend back to Barafu Camp, resting for a while before continuing our descent to Mweka Camp (10,105 feet, three to four hours of walking on the descent). All meals included.
We’ll make our final descent to the park gate, a walk of about two to three hours. After bidding our farewells to our guide and porters, we’ll take you to Arusha or Moshi for extension. Note: Routing subject to changes if necessary.
1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | 6 Pax | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 Days Trek
| $2500 | $2300 | $2199 | $1800 | $890 | $340 |
Our Kilimanjaro packages cover all transfers outlined in the program. When you arrive at Kilimanjaro, one of our drivers will pick you up in a spacious and comfortable Toyota Alphard and take you to your hotel. Our cars have large trunks that can accommodate plenty of luggage. Inside you’ll find complimentary bottled water (custom-ordered by vicconsultsafaris), a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wet wipes for your convenience. All our cars undergo regular examination and maintenance by our in-house team of technicians.
Our driving team consists of experienced and knowledgeable drivers, all of whom speak fluent English.
For the transfer to the trailhead of your climbing adventure, we will use Toyota Hiace or Coaster, which are better suited for navigating the wilderness terrain en route to Mt. Kilimanjaro. These cars are built to handle rough trails and ensure your safety.
At the end of your journey, we’ll also provide you with a return transfer to the Kilimanjaro International Airport. With our comprehensive package, you can rest easy and enjoy the journey without concerns about your transportation.
The night before the climb and the night following the descent, you will be accommodated in a 3* hotel in the area of Moshi Town. By default – shared double occupancy room unless you order a single supplement. We always offer Aishi Machame Hotel and Brubru Lodge as the first option, as both hotels are owned and run by vicconsult safari. Should both of them be unavailable, you will be offered an alternative property with the matching comfort and service level. In your hotel, you will find everything a traveler needs: professional staff, a restaurant, a swimming pool, comfortable rooms with mosquito nets, laundry service, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Aishi Machame is situated in a tranquil, green rural neighborhood, just 23 km (14.3 mi) from Moshi, and is often visited by monkeys, mongooses, and other wildlife, which you can observe from the restaurant terrace during breakfast. This location is perfect for those seeking peace and quiet. Our office and rental gear store are also located here.
Brubru Lodge is situated in the quietest area of Moshi, known as Shanty Town, and we recommend it to those who want to be closer to city life and explore local cafes, shops, and nightlife. If you need any gear for your climb from our gear store at Aishi Machame – don’t worry – our managers will deliver it right to Brubru Lodge for your orientation briefing.
By default, our packages include bed and breakfast accommodation. We also offer half-board and full-board upgrades at an additional cost.
Offers a Kilimanjaro adventure with all the necessary amenities for a safe and comfortable camping experience.
Developed to withstand strong winds and heavy rains, these 4-season tents provide a cozy atmosphere inside. Tent entrances are easy to open and close and provide a comfortable buffer zone. Rest assured that the ever-changing equatorial weather on Kilimanjaro will not disturb your much-needed sleep.
As of today, these tents are without question the best choice for the Kilimanjaro adventure, and vicconsult safaris is the only company to have them.
Our mountain chefs and waiters will take care of preparing and serving your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners throughout the adventure. The menu has been designed in consultation with a professional dietitian to ensure that our meals are both delicious and energy-rich, providing hikers with the necessary nutrition.
Our Kilimanjaro packages don’t include international flights. You’ll be responsible for covering those costs separately. Feel free to contact your manager to get recommendations about the airlines operating flights to Tanzania.
Tipping your climbing crew is a well-established practice in mountain hiking all over the world. Though never mandatory at vicconsult safaris, our clients are encouraged to tip their mountain crews if their performance is up to your expectations. A recommended amount is USD 250-350 per participant.
You may read more about tipping in our article here.
Most nationals are required to pay USD 50 for a one-time, single-entry 90-day visa. USA nationals, however, are required to pay $100 for a multi-entry visa. Contact our travel advisors to learn more about Tanzania visa rules and requirements.
