Kilimanjaro via Machame: the essential route
In summary
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Sports
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Duration9 days
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LevelAdvance
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DestinationTanzania / Kilimanjaro
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AgeFrom 10 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions93.28 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
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Languages
English
In a few words
Embark on a conquest of the roof of Africa through an immersive adventure on the slopes of Kilimanjaro . Upon arrival in Moshi , you will receive a warm welcome and be prepared for the climb with a comprehensive briefing. The ascent begins via the legendary Machame route , renowned for its stunning scenery and excellent acclimatization.
Day after day, you traverse a mosaic of landscapes: lush rainforest , high-altitude moors, volcanic formations around Lava Tower , and the rugged terrain of the Barranco Wall . Each stage is designed to balance exertion, acclimatization, and contemplation , with attentive and professional guidance.
The highlight of the trip: the nighttime ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) , the highest point on the African continent. The thrill of reaching the summit, facing the sunrise, is an unforgettable experience. After the descent, you return to the comfort of the hotel to fully relax.
To extend your adventure, you can explore Tanzania's vast national parks or relax on the beaches of Zanzibar . A complete trip, combining personal challenge with the discovery of Tanzania's natural wonders .
The highlights
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Ascent to Uhuru summit (5,895 m) via Stella Point, the most flat route
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Hiking through the lush rainforest
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The comfort of the hotel after the descent
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Trekking
- Average duration/day: 7h
- Average distance/day: 10 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 808 m
- Average daily descent: 703 m
Management
Program
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Arrival
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 36km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
At Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha (JRO), our driver will be waiting for you with
A sign bearing your name. After this warm welcome, you will be transferred by bus to the charming Hotel Salinero in Moshi. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be met by our mountain coordinators and your guide, who will provide you with all the necessary information before the trek, an opportunity to learn more about the wonders that await you.
Enjoy the hotel's relaxing environment with a swimming pool, a beautiful garden, a bar and a restaurant. Meals are at your leisure.
Day 1 -
Moshi- gate machame- machame camp
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 31km
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 11 km
- Positive elevation gain 2090 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast and a briefing, you'll depart for a 45-minute drive to the Machame Gate. Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, you'll need to complete the permit formalities. You'll also receive your picnic lunch.
The trek begins with a trail through lush rainforest which can be muddy and slippery if it rains.
In the evening the porters will boil water for you to wash, while the cook prepares dinner.
After dinner, you will retire to your tent for a good rest. Be aware that the temperature can drop sharply, even to freezing.
Day 2 -
Machame camp – Shira camp
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 840 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, the trail begins with a steep climb through a magnificent moorland landscape. As you approach Shira Camp, you'll walk along a ridge with breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery. A hot lunch awaits, followed by a good rest to gently acclimatize to the altitude. A briefing and debriefing with the guide will then take place, outlining what the next day's activities will entail.
Day 3 -
Shira camp – lava tower – camp barranco
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Distance 11 km
- Positive elevation gain 790 m
- Negative elevation 670 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, you set off on a more challenging trek through rocky and semi-desert terrain.
Lunch with panoramic views of Lava Tower, followed by an approximately 2-hour descent to Camp Barranco, also offering breathtaking views of the Western Breach. Dinner will be served in the evening, followed by a...
debriefing with your guide to inform you what awaits you the next day.
Day 4 -
Camp barranco – camp karanga
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 75 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After an early breakfast, you begin the trek by tackling the Barranco wall.
A steep but rewarding climb offering incredible views. Once at the summit, you will descend into
Explore the lush Karanga Valley with lunch at the camp. After lunch, you'll set off on a hike.
Acclimatization period up to Barafu camp, then return to the starting point (200m ascent). Enjoy!
from your rest until dinner. The guide will give an update on the next day's trek.
Day 5 -
Camp Karanga – Camp Barafu
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 605 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
An early wake-up call and a hearty breakfast to get the trek to Barafu camp off to a good start. The trail
is varied with rocky sections and gradual slopes, always with a view of the landscapes
altitude. As you ascend, pay attention to your body and any potential
altitude-related difficulties that could arise.
Upon arrival at camp, lunch followed by rest until dinner. After dinner, final preparations with the
Guide before the final ascent, which will take place late at night. Try to get a good rest.
Day 6 -
Camp barafu- summit ascent- camp mweka
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 15h
- Distance 17 km
- Positive elevation gain 1255 m
- Negative elevation 2805 m
- Accommodation Camping
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Around 11:30 PM, after tea and biscuits, you set off for Stella Point at 5685 m on the crater rim. It is
The most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. After a short break at Stella Point, weather permitting, you'll be rewarded with a magnificent sunrise. From there, it's a 2-hour snowy climb to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The time spent at the summit will depend on the weather, the cold, and your level of fatigue.
After celebrating your incredible achievement, a descent to Camp Barafu, which lasts approximately 3 hours,
for a short rest before continuing to the Mweka camp for dinner and the night.
Day 7 -
Camp mweka- gate mweka- moshi
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 24km
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 10 km
- Negative elevation 1440 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast, you will continue your descent through the moorland, the lush tropical forest
to reach the Mweka gate. Take the opportunity to admire the final views and to reflect on
Your achievement will be documented with a certificate. From the gate, you will be taken back to Moshi.
then dropped off at the Salinero hotel for a hot lunch, a shower and a restful night.
Meals not included
Day 8 -
Departure
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 36km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Breakfast at the hotel then transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for the return flight.
Day 9
Accommodation
The hotel offers all the necessary comforts for your stay: attentive staff, pleasant rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant.
All meals during the climb (vegetarian, gluten-free or halal options are available at no extra charge).
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Transfer to the trailhead – gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park
- Pick-up at the exit of Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel
- All fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, team fees, vehicle fees, rescue fees and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority)
- One night at the Hotel Salinero before the expedition and one night after
- Tent accommodation on Kilimanjaro
- Breakfast at the hotel before and after the hike
- All drinks during the climb (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water)
- Hiking and safety equipment
- All group equipment (spacious and comfortable mess tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery)
- Certified professional guides
- Dedicated support team (assistant guides, camp leader, porters, cooks)
The price does not include
- Plane tickets
- Visa fees
- Rental of personal equipment (see technical sheet "Equipment to bring")
- Tips for the mountain team
- Personal expenses
- Mandatory NIC Inbound Travel Insurance: USD 44 (approx. €39) per adult
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Tent accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern and comfortable 4-season tents such as the North Face VE-25 or Almighty Kilimanjaro)
- Hiking and safety equipment
- Thick and comfortable 10 cm (4 inch) sleeping mattress
- All group equipment (spacious and comfortable mess tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery)
- Oxygen cylinders and pulse oximeters
- GPS tracking service
- Complete medical kit
You can either rent equipment on site or bring your own. The prices listed are for the entire duration of the climb, not per day. Below is a list of climbing equipment and their rental prices:
- Backpack / Daypack – $15
- Balaclava – $10
- Montbell sleeping bag (-25°C to -35°C) – $30
- Poncho – heavy / Western or European type – $10
- Poncho – lightweight / local – $10
- Socks – $2 per pair
- Duffle bag / Duffel Bag – $15
- Hiking poles (x2) – $15
- Leg warmers – $10
- Gloves – $10
- Sweater / Sweatshirt – $15
- Long thermal underwear – $10
- Waterproof – $15
- GT Waterproof / Technical Waterproof Jacket – $15
- Waterproof pants – $10
- Hiking boots – $25
- Fleece pants – $10
- GT Warm Jacket – $10
- Warm jacket / down jacket – $15
- Hat or neck warmer/scarf – $7
- Bottle of water – $3
- Flashlight/Headlamp – $12
Clothing to bring
- Top underlayer
- Lower sublayer
- 4 to 5 pairs of underwear
- 3 to 4 short-sleeved t-shirts
- 1 pair of insulated trekking trousers
- 1 to 2 long-sleeved hiking shirts
- 1 to 2 pairs of hiking pants
- 1 insulated winter jacket
- 1 Polartec fleece jacket
- 1 waterproof jacket (hard shell)
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