Tanzania Beyond Safari
Kilimanjaro: Machame Route
A scenic mountain expedition
Seven days on the mountain, eight days in total, on the Machame route: rainforest, moorland and a high-altitude climb, with a night at Karanga to help you adjust.
Trekkers From $335 pp / night From $2,345 pp (7 nights)
The story of this trip
Machame is one of the most popular ways up Kilimanjaro, and it is easy to see why. The path passes through five climate zones, from damp rainforest to the frozen summit, and its "climb high, sleep low" profile helps your body adjust. We give it seven trekking days instead of six, so you spend a night at Karanga and reach the summit camp with energy to spare. Game viewing is not part of this trip. A safari can follow after a rest night. Your crew: one guide for every two climbers on the trek, and one guide per climber on summit night. Porters are paid at least US$8 a day (cooks and assistant guides US$11, lead guides US$15), eat three meals a day, have proper gear and carry no more than 20 kg. Summit success: the industry average is about 85% for Machame over seven days on the mountain (these are not our own figures). Longer routes give better acclimatisation and a higher chance of reaching the summit.
What this safari is for
- Five climate zones in one climb
- Climb high, sleep low through Lava Tower
- The Barranco Wall scramble
- A seven-day pace that helps you adjust
- An attempt on Uhuru Peak at sunrise
Route map
Route
From Moshi / Arusha to Moshi / Arusha.
Start: Moshi / Arusha End: Moshi / Arusha
Tanzania
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Start Moshi / Arusha (Start)
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Mount Kilimanjaro (Day 2) Land Cruiser
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End Moshi / Arusha (Day 8) Land Cruiser
Day by day
This is a working route. We confirm the camps and pace on your quote, within 24 hours.
Arrive in Moshi or Arusha
This afternoon you can hire any missing kit. We do not start at the gate on the day you land from Europe.
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Walk slowly through thick forest, where you may see colobus monkeys. Expect five to seven hours on a muddy, shaded trail. Your first night on the mountain is at Machame Camp.
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
The forest gives way to heather and open views across the Shira plateau. It is a shorter day, so you have time to rest and drink plenty of water.
Shira Camp to Lava Tower and Barranco Camp
You climb to Lava Tower, then drop to Barranco for the night. Sleeping lower than you walked is how your body adjusts to the altitude.
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Start the morning with a steep scramble up the Barranco Wall. The rest of the day is easy, so you arrive at Karanga with time to recover.
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
A short walk to the base camp for the summit. Eat early and rest. Summit night starts a few hours after dinner.
Uhuru Peak, then Mweka Camp
This is the hardest day of the trek. Expect 12 to 15 hours of walking in the cold. Your guides watch how you are doing throughout, and turning back is a professional decision, not a failure.
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
A walk down through forest to collect your summit certificate. A safari or Zanzibar can start after a rest night, but not tonight.
What’s included
- Mountain crew (guide, cook, porters)
- Kilimanjaro park fees
- Meals on the trek
- Transfers between Moshi or Arusha and the gate
- Lodge before and after the climb, as quoted
- Camp nights on the mountain
- Camping equipment and dining tent
What’s not included
- International flights
- Personal gear
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Travel insurance, which is required for the trek (high-altitude cover). You arrange it, or we can add a policy to your quote
- Extra hotel nights
- Gear hire if you need it, per trip: sleeping bag US$40, insulated summit jacket US$40, waterproof jacket US$20, duffel bag US$20 and trekking poles US$10
When to travel
January to March and June to October. Summit night is cold at any time of year.
Why this route
The from-rate covers the park fees, mountain crew and nights on the mountain. Route, season and group size set your final quote.
Request a quote
From $335 pp / night. Season, lodge class and group size determine the final price. Or book and pay a deposit.
Not sure this is the right trip?
Tell us your dates and who is travelling and we will adjust this route or suggest a better fit. We reply within 24 hours.
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MiGo Legacy Safaris · Nkoaranga Street, Arumeru, Arusha · +255 680 501 501 · [email protected] · MNRT 037503
