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Moshi · Kilimanjaro Region · Tanzania
7-Day Private Climbing Through Machame Route to Kilimanjaro
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From $3,084.49 per person
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The Experience
What your day looks like
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with the 7-Day Machame Route, one of the most popular and scenic paths to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. This challenging yet rewarding trek offers hikers a diverse journey through lush rainforests, alpine deserts, and stunning ridgelines, leading to the majestic Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Known for its excellent acclimatization opportunities, the Machame Route increases your chances of summit success, while providing unforgettable views of Kilimanjaro's iconic landscapes. Perfect for both seasoned adventurers and first-time climbers, this trek is a must for anyone looking to conquer Kilimanjaro.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Conquer Kilimanjaro via the scenic 7day Machame Route
- Trek through rainforest, ridgelines, and alpine desert zones
- Reach Africa’s highest point — majestic Uhuru Peak
- Excellent acclimatization improves chances of summit success
- Stunning views reward every step of the journey
- Ideal for both seasoned and firsttime climbers
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Moshi
Machame Gate (1490m) – Machame Camp (2980m) Hiking time: 7 hours Distance: Approximately 18 kilometres Habitat: Montane forest. After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi or Arusha and driven to Machame Village.
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Nature Walks. In the village, you can buy mineral water and will receive a packed lunch. From the village, depending on the road conditions, you will either continue driving 3 kilometres or walk to the Machame Gate (1490m).
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Eco Tour. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA).
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Eco Tour. You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the lookout for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys.
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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.
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Camping. The porters and chef, who move very fast up the mountain, will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served. For overnight, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared.
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Overnight at Machame Camp.
Day 2
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Eco Tour. Machame Camp (2980m) – Shira Camp (3840m). Hiking time: 6 hours Distance: Approximately 9 kilometres Habitat: Moorland. After early morning breakfast, you will start your ascent leaving the rain forest and entering the heathland moorland vegetation.
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Nature Walks at Mount Kilimanjaro. You will cross many streams and walk over a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau that leads to Shira Camp (3840m). At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and its glaciers in the East.
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Camping. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up before arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.
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Overnight at Shira Camp.
Day 3
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Sightseeing. Shira (at 3840m) – Lava Tower (at 4630m) – Barranco camp (at 3950m) Hiking time: 7 hours Distance: Approximately 15 kilometres Habitat: Semi-desert. Following an early morning breakfast, you will leave the moorland environment and enter the semi-desert and rocky landscape.
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Hiking. After 5 hours of walking east, you will 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. At this point of the hike, it is normal for hikers to start feeling the effects of the altitude including headaches and shortness of breath.
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Hiking. After lunch, you will descend from Lava Tower (4630m) to the Barranco Campsite (3950m). The 6800m descent gives hikers a huge advantage to allow their bodies to adjust to the conditions of high altitude.
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Sightseeing. The descent to camp takes around 2 hours to reach. It is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall (“Breakfast Wall”). Drinking and washing water and dinner will be served as hikers view the sun setting.
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Overnight at Barranco Camp.
Day 4
Moshi
Hiking. Barranco Camp (3950m) – Karanga Camp (3950m) Hiking time: 4-5 hours Distance: Approximately 5 kilometres Habitat: Alpine desert. After early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated.
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Hiking. 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.
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Overnight at Karanga Camp.
Day 5
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Hiking. Karanga Camp (3959m) – Barafu Hut (4600m) Hiking time: 2-3 hours Distance: Approximately 4 kilometres Habitat: Alpine desert. Following breakfast, 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.
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Hiking. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu Camp (4550m). The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge.
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Camping. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so hikers need to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00.
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Overnight at Barafu Camp.
Day 6
Moshi
Hiking. Machame route 7 days – Summit Attempt Barafu camp (4600m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m) Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 7-8 hours to descend to Mweka Distance: Approximately 7-kilometre ascent and 23-kilometre descent Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit. Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest and you will ascend over stone scree.
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Hiking. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In about 6 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5685m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 2 hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m).
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Sightseeing at Mount Kilimanjaro. Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours.
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Camping. At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending to Mweka Hut (3100m). The Mweka Trail will lead you through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.
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Overnight at Mweka Camp.
Day 7
Moshi
Relaxation & Fun. Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters.
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Eco Tour. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion.
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Hiking. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometres).
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You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to Moshi or Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
All Fees and Taxes Return transfers Kilimanjaro airport to Moshi and Moshi to Kilimanjaro airport Hotel the night before and the night after the climb, with breakfast included Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summit aid) & Basic first aid kit Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cook + Their Wages Camping equipment (tents, camp chairs, tables & sleeping mattress) Fresh Water for drinking & Hot water for a wash daily
Not Included
Flights and Visas Travel & Health Insurances (Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory) Gratuities Items of personal nature Personal hiking/trekking gear–you opt to rent the gears from equipment stores in Moshi Optional but highly recommended Portable toilet Personal medicine and water purifying tablets Meals & drinks not specified and snacks
What to Bring
Passport required
Restrictions
Not stroller accessible Not suitable for pets No public transportation nearby Infants must not sit on laps Infant seats are unavailable Not recommended for pregnant travelers Not recommended for people with heart conditions
Meeting & Pickup
Moshi Urban - Moshi Urban, Kilimanjaro Region.
Planning Notes
Minimum age: 1 Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
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