7 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek

7 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route Trek

The Machame route is the best choice for its acclimatization significance. Whoever what best summit attempt and success should in a greater way consider the Machame route, which takes one day longer than the more popular six days Machame but is slightly more challenging. Accommodation on the ascent is in tents, adding to the sense of adventure. Extra time taken acclimatizing means a higher success rate! The Machame is actually the second most popular route for Mount Kilimanjaro climb. From the village at Machame (altitude: 1490 meters), the approach is from the south-west of the summit.

During the ascent, an optional scramble up the imperious Lava Tower is an option – for those with energy to spare. With our experienced, knowledgeable and, above all, passionate staff, we take care of all the complex and important arrangements for the ascent of this legendary mountain, essential to giving you the best Kilimanjaro experience

Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania

Your driver will be waiting to meet at the airport and take you to your hotel after your flight. Your Kilimanjaro guide will meet you at the hotel for gear check and climb briefing.

Day 2: Machame Gate – Machame Camp

You will be picked up  and driven to the Machame. You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest.  About halfway up the trail you will have a lunch break and you will reach the Machame Camp (2980) in the late afternoon or early evening.

Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp

You will start you ascent leaving the rain forest and entering the heath land moorland vegetation. You will cross many streams and walk over a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau that leads to Shira Camp (3840m). 

Day 4: Shira – Lava Tower – Barranco camp

You will leave the moorland environment and enter the semi desert and rocky landscape. After 5 hours of walking east, you will be come face to face with the Lava Tower (4630m). Packed lunches are served at the Tower and hikers have the option of climbing the massive Lava Tower weather permitting. After lunch, you will descend from Lava Tower (4630m) to the Barranco Campsite.

Day 5: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp

It is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. This is an ideal hiking day for acclimatization.

Day 6: Karanga Camp – Barafu Hut

You will leave Karanga Camp (3959m). The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. 

Day 7: Summit Attempt

Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt.  you will reach Stella Point (5685m), located on the crater rim. You will continue ascending for about 2 hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours. At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun and continue descending down to Mweka Hut.

Day 8: Mweka camp – Mweka Gate

You will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. Hikers will descend into the Mweka. You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to your hotel

Day 9: Departure

Your trip in Tanzania is now over. The driver will drive you back to the airport for your departure.