Kilimanjaro climb, Machame Route (7-day)

Moshi, Tanzania
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Embark on this thrilling 7-day Kilimanjaro Machame route hiking adventure and enjoy captivating scenic vistas and pristine wildlife on the way to the peak of Africa. One of the most popular routes, featuring great acclimatization transition is an ideal choice for the beginners and experienced hikers alike. You will cross several climatic zones (from rainforest to Arctic desert), each different, unique and captivating.  

Our professional climbing crews will take care of your safety and comfort. Overnight stays are in our walk-in tents (designed by us and customized for Kilimanjaro), the “kitchen” team will surprise you with their cooking skills, and the porters will carry all equipment. The guides will be leading your way, excitedly sharing their knowledge of this amazing Mount.  

Pre and post-climb accommodation (included) will be in a cosy hotel in the foothills of Kilimanjaro. Airport transfers included.   

Description

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL

Stop At: Altezza Travel, Moshi Tanzania
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet an Altezza Travel representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening, there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.

Note: Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Aishi Machame Hotel

Day 2: TREKKING FROM MACHAME GATE TO MACHAME CAMP

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 40000 Tanzania
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your raincoats.

This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:

 Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine  Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)  Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.

At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Change in Elevation: Machame Gate (1,800 m) — Machame Camp (3,010 m) Hiking distance: 11 km Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:



Accommodation included: Overnight in The North Face VE-25 tents

Day 3: TREKKING FROM MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 40000 Tanzania
After breakfast you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp (3,845 m). On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Physically speaking, the trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 300-meter gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp you will be served a hot dinner.

Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp: Change in Elevation: Machame Camp (3,010 m) — Shira Camp (3,845 m) Hiking distance: 5 km Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Acclimatization hike: Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3,845 m) — Destination point on the way to Lava Tower (4,120 m) Hiking distance: 2 km Hiking time: 1–2 hours
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:



Accommodation included: Overnight in The North Face VE-25 tents

Day 4: TREKKING FROM SHIRA CAMP TO THE LAVA TOWER AND DESCENT TO BARRANCO CAMP

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 40000 Tanzania
After breakfast you will leave Shira Camp (3,845 m) and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1–2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be.

Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day you will be climbing it, but don't worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.

Note: If one or more participants feel sick, the group may refrain from passing the Lava Tower and adjust the route, following instead the road for porters. In this case you will not reach an altitude of 4,630 meters, getting up only to a maximum of 4,400 meters.

Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3,845 m) — Lava Tower (4,630 m) — Barranco Camp (3,960 m) Hiking distance: 11 km Hiking time: 6-8 hours
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:



Accommodation included: Overnight in The North Face VE-25 tents

Day 5: TREKKING FROM BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP

Stop At: Aishi Machame Hotel, Machame region Nshara Village, plot 173A Moshi TZ, 0938, Tanzania
Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of summiting Barranco Wall (we recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups). Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.

Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don't worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 200-meter gain in altitude, and then descent back down to the camp.

Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp: Change in Elevation: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) — Karanga Camp (4,035 m) Hiking distance: 5 km Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Acclimatization hike: Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — Destination point en route to Barafu Camp (4,270 m)

Hiking distance: 2.5 km Hiking time: 1–2 hours

Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:



Accommodation included: Overnight in The North Face VE-25 tents

Day 6: TREKKING FROM KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 40000 Tanzania
In the morning after breakfast you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m), the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,800 m) and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.

Trekking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp: Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — Barafu Camp (4,640 m) Hiking distance: 6 km Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Acclimatization hike: Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) — Kosovo Camp (4,800 m) Hiking distance: 2 km Hiking time: 1–2 hours
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:



Accommodation included: Overnight in The North Face VE-25 tents

Day 7: ASCENT TO UHURU PEAK AND DESCENT TO MILLENNIUM CAMP

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 40000 Tanzania
Departure from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) at night and the start of summiting Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Technically the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude. Each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your physical and mental conditions. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and after a 2-hour rest continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).

Note: Don't forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.

Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) — Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — Millennium Camp (3,820 m) Hiking distance: 15 km Hiking time: 8-12 hours
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:



Accommodation included: Overnight in The North Face VE-25 tents

Day 8: DESCENT FROM MILLENNIUM CAMP TO MWEKA GATE

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 40000 Tanzania
The camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park's exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.

Change in Elevation: Millennium Camp (3,820 m) — Mweka Gate (1,640 m) Hiking distance: 12 km Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:

Accommodation included: Overnight in The North Face VE-25 tents

Day 9: DEPARTURE

Stop At: Aishi Machame Hotel, Machame region Nshara Village, plot 173A Moshi TZ, 0938, Tanzania
Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.

Note: Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:

No accommodation included on this day.

Inclusions

  • JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) pick-up and drop-off
  • All ground transportation
  • 2 nights in “Aishi Machame Hotel” (before and after the hike) - double/twin room sharing, breakfast included. The hotel has cozy rooms, Internet access, hot water, a swimming pool, and a helpful staff. Single room available at extra charge
  • Tented accommodation during the hike (special Kilimanjaro walk-in tents) - 2 hikers per tent. Single tent available at extra charge
  • All fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park
  • High-quality branded group equipment (dining tent, sleeping pads, table, chairs, crockery & cutlery, etc.
  • Three tasty and energy-rich meals a day. The diet on the hike includes chicken, meat and fish meals garnished with rice, potato and vegetable salads, pasta, porridge, cakes, eggs, soups etc. Vegetarian, gluten-free, halal and kosher meal plans are available.
  • Drinks (tea, coffee, juices, soda, etc.
  • Certified Wilderness First Responder guides
  • Professional climbing crew (porters, camp masters, cooks)
  • Medical check-ups
  • Oxygen tanks and altimeters
  • Medical kits
  • Bottled water
  • Coffee and/or Tea
  • 9x Breakfast
  • 7x Lunch
  • 7x Dinner
  • Accommodation included: 8 nights
  • 8x Breakfast
  • 6x Dinner
  • 6x Lunch
  • Entry/Admission - Altezza Travel
  • Entry/Admission - Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Entry/Admission - Aishi Machame Hotel

Exclusions

  • Air tickets - the cost of getting to Tanzania is not included
  • Visa fee. Obtainable at JRO for USD 50 for most nationals. USD 100 for the US passport holders
  • Personal equipment & gear (your hiking outfit, boots, sleeping bag, etc.) that you need for the hike. Available for hire
  • Lunch and dinner in the hotel. The price in the hotel includes breakfast only. Average price for lunch or dinner is USD 15 per person.
  • Insurance. Highly recommended! Should cover mountain trekking activities
  • Tips to the climbing crew. Entirely subject to your satisfaction with the trip. Recommended amount - USD 100-150 per traveller.

Additional information

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking

Ticket delivery

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Operates

See Availability

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.

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