- Lemosho Crater Route
- Lemosho Route
- Machame Route
- Rongai Route
- Northern Circuit Route with Crater
- Umbwe Route
The Machame route climb starts above the picturesque mountain village of Machame to the south of Kilimanjaro. After passing through the rain forest and into the moorland zone, we will clamber up and over some rocks and eventually emerge onto the Shira Plateau. We then proceed along the southern circuit route counter-clockwise below the face of Kibo, ascend the Great Barranco Wall, a challenging and exhilarating rock scramble, and approach Uhuru Peak from Barafu and the ridge that abuts the Southeast Valley. The climb from Barafu Camp offers incredible views of Mawenzi Peak, Kilimanjaro’s remnant volcanic cone.
per person, double occupancy (single supplement US $425)
• Beautiful rain forest above Machame Village leads to the Shira Plateau.
• Overnight in the remote Lava Tower camp with views of the Western Breach.
• A challenging and exhilarating rock scramble up the Great Barranco Wall.
• From Barafu incredible views of Mawenzi Peak, Kilimanjaro’s remnant volcanic cone.
| Day | Activity Location | Hiking Distance | Hiking Time | Elevation Start | Elevation Finish | Elevation Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival. Mbahe Farm Cottages. | 6,000’ 1830m | ||||
| 2 | Village cultural walk, rest, climb preparation. Mbahe Farm Cottages. | 6,000’ 1830m | ||||
| 3 | Hiking day 1. Machame Gate to Machame Camp. | 6.6mi 10,6km | 5 hours | 6,000’ 1830m | 9,950’ 3030m | 3,950' 1200m |
| 4 | Hiking day 2. Machame Camp to Shira Camp. | 3.5mi 5,6km | 4 hours | 9,950’ 3030m | 12,620’ 3850m | 2,670' 820m |
| 5 | Hiking day 3. Shira Camp to Lava Tower Camp. | 4.4mi 7,0km | 5 hours | 12,620’ 3850m | 15,230’ 4640m | 2,610' 790m |
| 6 | Hiking day 4. Lava Tower Camp to Karanga Camp. | 5.9mi 9,5km | 6 hours | 15,230’ 4640m | 13,250’ 4040m | -1,980' -600m |
| 7 | Hiking day 5. Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp. | 2.4mi 3,9km | 4 hours | 13,250’ 4040m | 15,360’ 4680m | 2,110' 640m |
| 8 | Hiking day 6. Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp. | 3.0mi 4,9km - 5.3mi 8,5km | 6-7 hours to Uhuru - 4 hours to Millennium | 15,360’ 4680m - 19,340' 5895m | 19,340' 5895m - 12,530’ 3820m | 3,980' 1215m - -6,810' -2075m |
| 9 | Hiking day 7. Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate. Ameg Lodge or Pink Flamingo Hotel, Moshi Town. | 8.5mi 13,7km | 4 hours | 12,530’ 3820m | 5,380’ 1640m | -7,150' -2180m |
| 10 | Moshi Town tour. Departure. |
We will pick you up upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and bring you to Mbahe Village, located in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, approximately 2 hours from the airport. Accommodations are in SENE’s private cottages at Simon Mtuy’s Mbahe Village farm.
Overnight: Mbahe Farm Cottages.
Meals: D.
Day 2: Mbahe Village, Kilimanjaro
You have the morning to rest and relax. Enjoy delicious “homebrew” coffee, grown and roasted on the farm, and meals made with fruits and vegetables from the garden. Your trip leader will provide a climb orientation and equipment check. This is also a day to take a guided tour around Mbahe Village, the Mtuy family farm, and to swim in the river and waterfall running through Simon’s land.
Overnight: Mbahe Farm Cottages.
Meals: B,L,D.
Day 3: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
After breakfast we will drive to the Machame Gate, where you will meet your other guides and mountain crew and enter the Kilimanjaro National Park. We begin our climb at 6,000 feet, walking for a few hours through thick and undisturbed tropical forest. Admire the magnificent bird life and the many unique flower and plant species, about which your guide will tell you, and with luck, we may observe the blue or colobus monkeys that populate the forest zone.
Overnight: Machame Camp.
Meals: B,L,D.
Day 4: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Today is an easy paced acclimatization day. We will hike over streams, a river gorge, and moorlands. Camp is located on the Shira Plateau, providing expansive views of Kilimanjaro. There is a conditioning hike in the afternoon where you can enjoy the clusters of giant lobelias and senecios that grow at this elevation.
Overnight: Shira Camp.
Meals: B,L,D.
Day 5: Shira Camp to Lava Tower Camp
Today is another important day for acclimatization as we hike for 5 hours to an elevation above 15,000 feet. We will pass through the alpine moorland zone where plants are extremely hardy and consist of lichens, grasses, and heather, to reach Kilimanjaro’s alpine desert zone. You will have a spectacular view of the Western Breach.
Overnight: Lava Tower Camp.
Meals: B,L,D.
Day 6: Lava Tower Camp to Karanga Camp
After an initial descent from Lava Tower camp we climb the Great Barranco Wall – not too steep but still an exhilarating challenge – which our guides make safe and accessible for everyone by ascending pole pole (meaning “slowly” in Kiswahili). You will be able to see the breathtaking Heim Glacier from the top of the Wall. Descend into the Karanga Valley and then climb again to our camp on a ridge above the Valley, where you will enjoy a well deserved rest and your daily afternoon tea and snacks.
Overnight: Karanga Camp.
Meals: B,L,D.
As we begin hiking today the trail turns steadily uphill. Temperatures are noticeably colder and the landscape more sparse as we work our way to Barafu camp. Barafu means “ice” in Kiswahili. Hiking time is 4 to 5 hours. The camp is set on an exposed ridge and is the staging point for our push to the summit. After an early dinner we have a summit briefing and prepare our equipment before resting.
Overnight: Barafu Camp.
Meals: B,L,D.
Day 8: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Millennium Camp
Rise at midnight for a warm and hearty early breakfast in preparation for the long day ahead. We ascend pole pole under the stars on the steep switchback trail, drinking plenty of water and refueling with small snacks, and enjoying the trek to Uhuru, the summit of Kilimanjaro, which we expect to reach shortly after daybreak. At this early hour, before the clouds close in, you will have spectacular views of Africa in all directions. After a brief stay for photos, hugs, and high fives, we descend 2 to 3 hours to Barafu Camp for lunch, rest, and to pick up belongings. Continuing downhill 3 to 4 hours to the edge of the Mweka Forest, we reach the final night’s camp – 7,000 feet below the summit! Eat, share your experiences of the climb, and sleep soundly. Congratulations, you touched the Roof of Africa!
Overnight: Millennium Camp.
Meals: B,L,D.
Day 9: Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate; Moshi Town
Our last day is another descent of 7,000 feet with 4 to 5 hours of hiking to the exit at Mweka Gate. The trail is steep in places and within the forest may be slippery if wet. After a hearty celebration lunch with the whole team on private SENE land near the exit gate to say goodbye to the mountain crew, the trip leaders bring you to your hotel in Moshi Town to relax, have dinner, and enjoy its spacious garden and swimming pool. (Those going on safari tomorrow will overnight at a hotel in Arusha, closer to the wildlife parks.)
Overnight: Chanya Lodge.
Meals: B,L,D.
Day 10: Moshi Town
Those heading out on safari or to Zanzibar will depart after breakfast to continue your African adventure. For those returning home we offer you a guided tour of Moshi Town with its colorful market and curio shops. You may eat lunch in town or back at the lodge (lunch not included). Transfer by SENE to the Kilimanjaro Airport.
Meals: B.
- All accommodations for 10 days / 9 nights.
- All meals as indicated (B,L,D).
- On climb, filtered water (by Katadyn Expedition® filter) and coffee, teas, cocoa.
- Services of trip leader, climbing guides, and mountain crew.
- Kilimanjaro National Park entrance, camping, and rescue fees.
- All camping and dining equipment (excluding sleeping bag and pad).
- Portable private toilet with bio-degradable waste system (Cleanwaste®) at all camps.
- Gamow bag (portable hyperbaric chamber) and supplemental oxygen for emergency descents.
- Transfers to/from Kilimanjaro International Airport and to/from park entrance/exit gates.
- Guided Mbahe Village walking tour.
- Guided Moshi Town walking tour.
