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Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro

Mt Kilimanjaro Machame Climb

Example 10 Day Tour
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For decades, adventurers from around the world have been summoned to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s Rooftop. As the highest free-standing mountain in Africa, those who reach the summit have not only bragging rights but wonderful memories of an incredible adventure. The Machame 10-day Trek offers travelers the most scenic and viable ascent route to Kilimanjaro. This physically challenging climb includes steep and long hiking days paired with luxury camping accommodations and guide services to give you the best chance to make the summit. This deluxe climb features walk-in tents, portable toilets, and a shower to ensure you can rest and relax each evening. Safety equipment such as oxygen, portable hyperbaric chambers, and oximeters for monitoring blood oxygen levels is included.
Moon Scape on Mount KilimanjaroMount KilimanjaroCamping above the cloudsIce Fields of Mount KilimanjaroMount Kilimanjaro CampHiking in TanzaniaMarker at the top of Mount KilimanjaroHiking Mount Kilimanjaro
Highlights
  • Explore Moshi at your leisure or arrange a day excursion
  • Hike through valleys, across plateaus, and over ridges
  • Spend 7 days trekking Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
  • Watch the sunrise from the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
Activities
Places Visited
  • Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Barafu Camp
  • Barranco Camp
  • Karanga Valley Camp
  • Kilimanjaro Climb
  • Machame Camp
  • Machame Gate
  • Moshi
  • Mweka Camp
  • Mweka Gate
  • Shira Camp
  • Uhuru Peak
Activity Level: Ultimate
Requires the highest level of physical challenge and performance. Includes tours involving strenuous multi-day trekking or summit hikes. The majority of the hours in most days are physically active. Travelers will need intensive training in advance to meet the physical demands on these trips.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Tanzania

After clearing baggage claim and customs you are met by your safari representative and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2: Moshi Free Day

Today is a free day in Moshi to rest and prepare for your trek, and you can arrange additional excursions such as:
  • Arusha National Park - Introduction to game viewing with options for canoe ride on Small Momela Lake or a walking safari.
  • Coffee Cooperative and Village Tour - Visit the village of Uru on the slopes of Kilimanjaro which produces some of the world's finest coffee. Get an understanding of village life for people living on Africa's highest mountain.
  • Mountain Biking - Day trips are available to stretch your legs and explore the backcountry.
Join a pre-climb briefing with your mountain guide in the evening. Get a good night’s rest, as tomorrow you start off on the Mount Kilimanjaro climb!

Day 3: Begin Machame Trek

Leaving from Moshi, a 45-minute drive leads you through charming mountainside villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. Wait for your permits while observing the busy activity as crews prepare for their journey. Enjoy the stunning rainforest scenery and winding trails as your guide shares insights about the local flora, fauna, and wildlife. Be aware that the trail can be muddy and slippery at these lower elevations, so it is strongly suggested to use gaiters and trekking poles.

Rainforest Elevation: 1,830 m/6,000 ft to 3,050 m/9,950 ft
Hiking length: 6-8 hours
Hike Distance: 11km /7 miles

Day 4: Machame Camp to Shira II Camp

After a restful night's sleep and a satisfying breakfast, leave the rainforest behind and continue on a path that ascends gradually. As you move away from the forest, the trail steadily climbs, offering wide views until you reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. You'll notice the temperatures starting to drop as you ascend.

Moorland Elevation: 3,050 m/9,950 ft to 3,810 m/12,500 ft
Hiking length: 4-5 hours
Hike Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Day 5: Shira II Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Leave Shira 2 and follow the trail into the Alpine Desert. Take the path that ascends to Lava Tower Camp, where you'll stop for lunch. Soon after passing the tower, you'll reach a second junction leading to the Arrow Glacier. Keep descending and spend the night at Barranco Camp.

Moorland Elevation: 3,050 m/9,950 ft to 3,810 m/12,500 ft
Hiking length: 4-5 hours
Hike Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Day 6: Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley Camp

Slowly cross the floor of the great Barranco Valley and climb up the Barranco Wall. Continue trekking along the South Circuit path to Karanga Valley, where the camp is set up for dinner and an overnight stay. This day is impressive as you witness the power, agility, and strength of your crew effortlessly scaling the wall. Spend the night at Karanga Camp.

Alpine Desert Elevation: 4,000 m/13,000 ft to 4,050 m / 13,250 ft
Hiking length: 4-5 hours
Hike Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Day 7: Karanga Valley Camp to Barafu Camp

Continue slowly upward toward Barafu Camp. Upon arrival, you complete the South Circuit, which offers breathtaking views of both Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Barafu Camp is located on an exposed and dangerous ridge, so familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark. Rest and prepare for the summit night.

Alpine Desert Elevation: 4,050 m/13,250 ft to 4,700 m / 15,350 ft
Hiking length: 4-5 hours
Hike Distance: 4 km/2 miles

Day 8: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

Starting early between midnight and 2 a.m., this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. Head towards the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, staying warm and focused on the incredible sense of accomplishment ahead. Ascend through heavy scree to Stella Point on the crater rim, where you'll be rewarded with a magnificent sunrise during your short rest. Faster hikers may see the sunrise from the summit.

From here, it's about a one-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, likely through snow. Step by step, you reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa! Take a moment to enjoy this incredible achievement before beginning the steep descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a brief rest. We strongly recommend using gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel and volcanic ash terrain. A well-deserved rest awaits you at Mweka Camp, where you can enjoy your last evening on the mountain.

Glaciers Elevation: 4,700 m/15,350 ft to 5,895 m/19,340 ft Descent to 3,090 m /10,150 ft
Hiking length: 11-14 hours
Hike Distance: 5 km /3 miles up - 12 km/ 7miles down 

Day 9: Return to Moshi

After breakfast, continue down to Mweka Gate to collect your certificates. From there, you'll be driven back to Moshi for a well-deserved hot shower and a soft bed.

Rainforest Elevation: 3,090 m/10,150 ft to 1,680 m/5,500 ft
Hiking length: 3-4 hours
Hike Distance: 10 km/6 miles

Day 10: Departure Day

  • 1 Breakfast
Today you say goodbye to Tanzania with your summit certificate and memories in tow, or, continue on with a traditional Africa Safari or visit to Zanzibar.

Accommodations

Machame Route Camps

Camping along the Machame route to climb Kilimanjaro
Trekking Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro Camp

Moshi - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$5,285 2-3 travelers

Notes

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Rates based scheduled departures
Included
  • 9 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 6 Dinners
  • 9 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Gear Rental: Camping Gear (walk-in tent, camp bed with pillow, portable toilet (1 per 5 climbers), dining chairs with backs, & camp shower (1 per 5 climbers))
  • All National Park Entry, Camp, and Rescue Fees
  • Safety Equipment - Oxygen (1 per 5 climbers), Hyperbaric (Gamov) Pressure Bag (1 per 10 climbers), and oximeters
  • 6 nights of camping are included on this trekking itinerary. Accommodations are walk-in tents with camp beds and camp pillows.

    Machame Route Camps

    Day 2 - Machame Camp elevation: 9,843 ft
    Day 3 - Shira Camp elevation: 12,600 ft
    Day 4 - Barranco Camp elevation: 13,000 ft
    Day 5 - Karanga Valley Camp elevation: 13,105 ft
    Day 6 - Barafu Camp elevation: 15,300 ft
    Day 7 - Mweka Camp elevation: 10,065 ft
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Trekking Pole $15/pair
  • Departure Transfer
  • Airport Departure Tax
  • Tourist Visa - Contact your Consulate in advance
  • Personal Hiking Equipment - Please bring daypack, clothing, and sleeping bag. Gear rental is also available--please reference your MyTrips documents for current rates.

Map

When to Go

Jan
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Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.

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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
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