The Machame route was voted as the most beautiful climbing route in the world! This is due to the stunning views of Mount Meru, the impressive ascent along the Barranco wall and other highlights you see. The route has also well-maintained hiking trails. You can also see more of Kilimanjaro, because the Machame route takes a different route to the summit than for the descent.
The ascent via the Machame route takes a total of six days, but is also possible in seven days so that your body can acclimatize properly. We recommend this extra day as it increases your chances to reach the summit. In this case, you would take an extra day to hike from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp and day five of this route will correspond with day five and six of the Lemosho route.
Kilimanjaro International Airport
3 Hours Before Flight Time
When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport our Momella Adventure will be there waiting for you. He will drop you off at your hotel, where you can relax from your flight.
Preparation for your climb: You will meet your guide before the beginning of your climb. He will brief you and give you details, like what to wear, what to put in your backpack and other important tips to make the climb as comfortable as possible for you.
The first morning, your guide will pick you up from the hotel and bring you to Machame Gate. The first part leads you through coffee and banana plantations and then you cross some untouched and very green rainforest. After a five to six-hour hike, you reach the Machame Camp on the edge of the forest area with a heath zone. This is your first day at this altitude, remember to drink plenty of water!
This second day on the mountain will start with another nice climb that is a little steeper. You first pass to a small circular cliff known as the picnic rock where you are rewarded with stunning views of Kibo (a peak of Kilimanjaro) and Shira (one of the other volcanic peaks). From the picnic rock, you hike on to Shira Camp via a beautiful route to have lunch and rest. If you wish, you can take an acclimatization walk towards the Lava Tower (to an altitude of 4120 meters and a distance of 2 km).
From Shira Camp to the beautiful Lava Tower, you go through many ascents and descents with amazing views along the way. You will have lunch at Lava Tower for one to two hours for your body to acclimatize as you might feel uncomfortable with the increase in altitude. After lunch, you descend to Barranco Camp. Watch out for strange-looking flowering plants that grow up to five meters high! Barranco Camp is located at the foot of the imposing Barranco Wall, which is impressive in both its sheer size and steepness.
After breakfast, you depart Barranco Camp and hike towards Barranco Wall. After a challenging but enjoyable route, you reach the top of the Barranco wall and have a spectacular view of the Kibo volcano to your left and of the distant Mount Meru to your right. Then a more difficult hike starts through Karanga Camp, with many ascents and descents, after which you reach your camp for the night: Barafu Camp, the last camp before the summit! Enjoy a hot meal and make sure to relax and sleep, before your final ascent to the summit!
Today is the day! Around midnight you start from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak. The climb leads over good trails and the most challenging part is the high altitude. Once you reach the summit you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise, which is quite impressive at this height! After a small time at the top, where you celebrate your ultimate triumph you descend slowly to the scenic Millennium Camp.
The Millenium camp is located in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up today, you will experience a pleasant feeling due to the reduction in altitude and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After breakfast you take an easy walking to the park exit.
Your driver will bring you back to the hotel for a well deserved rest!
Sadly, this is the end of your holiday and the time to go home has arrived. Enjoy your last hours in Tanzania before our driver comes to pick you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. Still longing for more? It’s also possible to add a few days of safari or a beach holiday to your Kilimanjaro adventure
