Skip to content

Kilimanjaro Climb: Machame Route

This 9 day tour (with 7 day trek) ascends Kilimanjaro via forested slopes, then through heathland, on to the edge of the remnants of the Shira Volcano and skirts Kibo passing some spectacular natural features such as giant steps and glacial valleys. The final ascent to Uhuru Peak is from Barafu camp via Stella Point. The descent is via the Mweka route.

  • Trek through Afromontane Forest: Embark on a thrilling adventure as you hike through the lush afromontane forest on your way to Machame Camp. The vibrant vegetation, including helichrysum and lobelia, adds to the beauty of your journey.
  • Heath Zone Exploration: Experience the unique “heath zone” and its attractive flora as you continue your trek from Machame Camp to Shira Camp. This section offers not only stunning landscapes but also geological wonders like lava tubes and glacial valleys.
  • Barranco Wall Ascent: Conquer the Barranco Wall, a famous feature along the route, and hike through glacial valleys to reach Karanga Camp. The giant groundsels in Barranco Camp and the incredible views of Kibo and glacial valleys make this day special.
  • Barafu Camp and Alpine Desert: Reach Barafu Camp, an otherworldly alpine desert campsite, where you can enjoy splendid views of Mawenzi peak. The desolate landscape and strong winds create a unique atmosphere in this high-altitude camp.
  • Summiting Uhuru Peak: The ultimate highlight of your journey is reaching Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! Begin your final summit bid before midnight, and with patience and persistence, witness a breathtaking sunrise from this remarkable vantage point. It’s an unforgettable achievement.
  • Transfers and accommodation as stated.
  • Full Board on trek (breakfast, lunch and dinner), guest tent, mess tent, table, chairs, lamps and fully trained, expert guides, porters and cook and all park fees, camping fees and rescue fees.
  • Luxury tour also has private portable WC, larger tents (3-person tent used for 2 people) with 3 inch foam mattresses, 18 Celsius rated sleeping bags with liners, pillow, a large walk-in mess tent.
  • All tours include safety equipment, safety briefings and staff fully trained in First Aid.

LENGTH

8 NIGHTS / 9 DAYS

BEST MONTHS TO VISIT

ALL YEAR

FROM

US$3,845

Kilimanjaro Climb: Machame Route

This 9 day tour (with 7 day trek) ascends Kilimanjaro via forested slopes, then through heathland, on to the edge of the remnants of the Shira Volcano and skirts Kibo passing some spectacular natural features such as giant steps and glacial valleys. The final ascent to Uhuru Peak is from Barafu camp via Stella Point. The descent is via the Mweka route.

  • Trek through Afromontane Forest: Embark on a thrilling adventure as you hike through the lush afromontane forest on your way to Machame Camp. The vibrant vegetation, including helichrysum and lobelia, adds to the beauty of your journey.
  • Heath Zone Exploration: Experience the unique “heath zone” and its attractive flora as you continue your trek from Machame Camp to Shira Camp. This section offers not only stunning landscapes but also geological wonders like lava tubes and glacial valleys.
  • Barranco Wall Ascent: Conquer the Barranco Wall, a famous feature along the route, and hike through glacial valleys to reach Karanga Camp. The giant groundsels in Barranco Camp and the incredible views of Kibo and glacial valleys make this day special.
  • Barafu Camp and Alpine Desert: Reach Barafu Camp, an otherworldly alpine desert campsite, where you can enjoy splendid views of Mawenzi peak. The desolate landscape and strong winds create a unique atmosphere in this high-altitude camp.
  • Summiting Uhuru Peak: The ultimate highlight of your journey is reaching Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! Begin your final summit bid before midnight, and with patience and persistence, witness a breathtaking sunrise from this remarkable vantage point. It’s an unforgettable achievement.
  • Transfers and accommodation as stated.
  • Full Board on trek (breakfast, lunch and dinner), guest tent, mess tent, table, chairs, lamps and fully trained, expert guides, porters and cook and all park fees, camping fees and rescue fees.
  • Luxury tour also has private portable WC, larger tents (3-person tent used for 2 people) with 3 inch foam mattresses, 18 Celsius rated sleeping bags with liners, pillow, a large walk-in mess tent.
  • All tours include safety equipment, safety briefings and staff fully trained in First Aid.

LENGTH

8 nights / 9 days

BEST MONTHS TO VISIT

ALL YEAR

FROM

US$3,845

Itinerary in Detail

DAY BY DAY

Tour Experiences

Day 1: Kilimanjaro - Moshi/Arusha

Pick up in Kilimanjaro and transfer by road to Moshi and to Parkview Inn. For the semi-deluxe and luxury options, accommodation will be at Rivertrees Lodge in Arusha. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Moshi - Machame

After breakfast to Machame Gate where we finalise packing and official formalities before commencing the trek. Today’s hiking is through verdant afromontane forest to Machame Camp with a picnic lunch en route. Overnight Machame Camp (Full Board)

Day 3: Machame - Shira

From Machame Camp we continue to Shira Camp (picnic lunch en route). The first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly. This is the “heath zone” with its attractive vegetation such as helichrysum and lobelia. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys. Overnight Shira Camp (Full Board).

Day 4: Shira - Barranco

Today is a “walk high, sleep low” day to acclimatise to the altitude. We ascend into alpine desert and those that are feeling strong can even head up to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco Camp. Lunch is taken as a picnic lunch en route. Overnight Barranco Camp (Full Board).

Day 5: Barranco - Karanga (acclimatisation)

From Barranco Camp, famous for its giant groundsels (Dendrosenecio species), you ascend the Barranco wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga Camp. Today is a relatively short day hiking and lunch is taken at Karanga Camp. In the afternoon a walk can be taken with your guides for great views of the southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys. Overnight Karanga Camp (Full board).

Day 6: Karanggu - Barafu

Today is another half day ascending to Barafu camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the evening. Overnight Barafu Camp (Full Board).

Day 7: Barafu - Summit / Mweka

Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is required to reach the summit and by dawn – as the first rays of light start to appear – most climbers arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! After seeing the sun rise from this wonderful vantage point we have a long day’s descent to Mweka Camp before dusk. Overnight Mweka Camp (Full Board).

Day 8: Mweka - Moshi / Arusha

After breakfast we descend once again through montane forest and around midday we take a road transfer back to Parkview in Moshi (standard option). For semi-deluxe and luxury options, accommodation at Rivertrees Lodge in Arusha for dinner and overnight.

 

Day 9: Moshi - Kilimanjaro

After breakfast transfer back to Kilimanjaro. Drop off at the international airport for your onward flight.

Tour Experiences

Day 1: Killimanjaro - Moshi/Arusha

Pick up in Kilimanjaro and transfer by road to Moshi and to Parkview Inn. For the semi-deluxe and luxury options, accommodation will be at Rivertrees Lodge in Arusha. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Moshi – Machame

After breakfast to Machame Gate where we finalise packing and official formalities before commencing the trek. Today’s hiking is through verdant afromontane forest to Machame Camp with a picnic lunch en route. Overnight Machame Camp (Full Board)

Day 3: Machame - Shira

From Machame Camp we continue to Shira Camp (picnic lunch en route). The first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly. This is the “heath zone” with its attractive vegetation such as helichrysum and lobelia. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys. Overnight Shira Camp (Full Board).

Day 4: Shira - Barranco

Today is a “walk high, sleep low” day to acclimatise to the altitude. We ascend into alpine desert and those that are feeling strong can even head up to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco Camp. Lunch is taken as a picnic lunch en route. Overnight Barranco Camp (Full Board).

Day 5: Barranco - Karanga (Acclimitisation)

From Barranco Camp, famous for its giant groundsels (Dendrosenecio species), you ascend the Barranco wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga Camp. Today is a relatively short day hiking and lunch is taken at Karanga Camp. In the afternoon a walk can be taken with your guides for great views of the southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys. Overnight Karanga Camp (Full board).

Day 6: Karanga - Barafu

Today is another half day ascending to Barafu camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the evening. Overnight Barafu Camp (Full Board).

Day 7: Barafu - Summit / Mweka

Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is required to reach the summit and by dawn – as the first rays of light start to appear – most climbers arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! After seeing the sun rise from this wonderful vantage point we have a long day’s descent to Mweka Camp before dusk. Overnight Mweka Camp (Full Board).

Day 8: Mweka - Moshi / Arusha

After breakfast we descend once again through montane forest and around midday we take a road transfer back to Parkview in Moshi (standard option). For semi-deluxe and luxury options, accommodation at Rivertrees Lodge in Arusha for dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Moshi - Kilimanjaro

After breakfast transfer back to Kilimanjaro. Drop off at the international airport for your onward flight.

What Our Clients Say About Us

In our commitment to excellence, we not only strive to exceed our clients’ expectations but also value their feedback. We are proud to present our clients’ feedback.

David C

Once I narrowed my choice of African tour providers to 4, I wrote and asked them to compare themselves to the others. I got several very candid responses including this one from Gamewatchers Safaris: “I can guarantee you I can give you a..

Veronica P

I booked my holiday to Kenya as a solo traveller via a company in the UK. They used Gamewatchers Safaris as their local contact. From start to finish of my trip I felt very safe and all the arrangements went without a hitch. I was collected from the..

Dev P

We've just returned from a Kenyan Safari and Beach holiday all advised and organised by Wayne Hammond of Gamewatchers. He was always available, full of knowledge, and the itinerary delivered on all expectations. We would..

David C

Once I narrowed my choice of African tour providers to 4, I wrote and asked them to compare themselves to the others. I got several very candid responses including this one from Gamewatchers Safaris: “I can guarantee you I can give you a..

Veronica P

I booked my holiday to Kenya as a solo traveller via a company in the UK. They used Gamewatchers Safaris as their local contact. From start to finish of my trip I felt very safe and all the arrangements went without a hitch. I was collected from the..

Dev P

We've just returned from a Kenyan Safari and Beach holiday all advised and organised by Wayne Hammond of Gamewatchers. He was always available, full of knowledge, and the itinerary delivered on all expectations. We would..

What Our Clients Say About Us

In our commitment to excellence, we not only strive to exceed our clients’ expectations but also value their feedback. We are proud to present our clients’ feedback.

David C

Once I narrowed my choice of African tour providers to 4, I wrote and asked them to compare themselves to the others. I got several very candid responses including this one from Gamewatchers Safaris: “I can guarantee you I can give you a..

Veronica P

I booked my holiday to Kenya as a solo traveller via a company in the UK. They used Gamewatchers Safaris as their local contact. From start to finish of my trip I felt very safe and all the arrangements went without a hitch. I was collected from the..

Dev P

We've just returned from a Kenyan Safari and Beach holiday all advised and organised by Wayne Hammond of Gamewatchers. He was always available, full of knowledge, and the itinerary delivered on all expectations. We would..

David C

Once I narrowed my choice of African tour providers to 4, I wrote and asked them to compare themselves to the others. I got several very candid responses including this one from Gamewatchers Safaris: “I can guarantee you I can give you a..

Veronica P

I booked my holiday to Kenya as a solo traveller via a company in the UK. They used Gamewatchers Safaris as their local contact. From start to finish of my trip I felt very safe and all the arrangements went without a hitch. I was collected from the..

Dev P

We've just returned from a Kenyan Safari and Beach holiday all advised and organised by Wayne Hammond of Gamewatchers. He was always available, full of knowledge, and the itinerary delivered on all expectations. We would..

Talk to a Specialist

Choose a Safari Specialist in your time zone and start planning your tailor-made safari to Tanzania.

Talk to a Specialist

Choose a Safari Specialist in your time zone and start planning your tailor-made safari to Tanzania.

Curating ultimate tailor-made safari experiences for 35 years

Username*
Email*
Password*