Day 1: Arrive Arusha (1 night, Moivaro Coffee Lodge)
On arrival at the airport, you will be met by our driver/guide and transferred to Moivaro Lodge for one night (half-board).
Moivaro Lodge is set on a working coffee plantation on the outskirts of Arusha. Removed from the busy city centre, it serves as a lovely base from which to enjoy the impressive safari and trekking opportunities of East Africa, with good access to Kilimanjaro and the northern safari parks of Tanzania.
You can choose to relax and take in the beautiful vista of Mount Meru from your garden cottage verandah, enjoy a drink at the cosy bar with fireplace, or perhaps just laze at the pool or amid the tropical trees and coffee plants in the gardens.
This evening there will be a climb briefing covering kit, camping arrangements, and what to expect on the mountain (climate, altitude etc), as well as tomorrow’s transfer times. This is a good chance to ask any questions you may have about the coming climb, particularly any concerns regarding kit.
Day 2: Start the 7-Day Machame Route climb
Depart Moivaro Lodge after breakfast and transfer approx. 3 hours to the Machame trailhead (1,800m), on the south-western face of Kilimanjaro. After a final orientation and kit check, we register at Machame Gate, then begin the 7-day Machame Route climb.
The trail starts with a short walk through the banana and coffee plantations around Machame village, before ascending a ridge through rich montane forest. This is the most densely forested area on the mountain, and the source of much of the mountain’s rainfall. On sunny days, and especially in the dry season, the trail is green and beautiful; but in the wet season it can be a very muddy experience!
We have lunch at a clearing in the forest, and then continue to climb at a steady pace. The trail eases this afternoon, becoming less steep as we leave the rainforest and enter the giant heather zone.
From our camp at Machame Hut (3,000m), we may get our first glimpse of the glaciated dome of Kibo this evening, provided the clouds permit. [5-7 hours walking]
Day 3: To Shira Hut
This morning’s trek is steep to begin with, as we leave the forest belt and ascend a high ridge to reach Shira Plateau. The rest of the route is on more level terrain, as we make our way through the heath and moorland that characterises Kilimanjaro’s low Alpine zone to reach our camp at Shira Hut (3,895m).
There is a tangible sense of wilderness here (especially when the afternoon mists come in!) and the views of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds, visible from camp, are simply unforgettable. [4-5 hours walking]
At Shira Hut and Barranco Camp (tomorrow’s campsite), the Machame and Lemosho/Shira trails begin to merge, so you can expect a bit more bustle at camp from tonight onwards, particularly in the peak climbing season.
Day 4: To Barranco Camp
A superb day’s trek that takes us to the southern flank, then down the spectacularly scenic Barranco Valley to our camp at 3,900m, Barranco Huts.
Barranco Camp is only slightly higher than our camp at Shira Huts, but our trek past Lava Tower – with acclimatisation trek to Arrow Glacier – will have taken us over 4,500 metres, offering valuable altitude acclimatisation.
The camp at Barranco is one of the most spectacular on Kilimanjaro, with dramatic views of Kibo. [7 hours walking]
Day 5: To Karanga Valley Camp
Early morning climb up Barranco Wall (4,270m), with 800ft. of steep climbing and 400ft. of easy ascent, to admire the views of Meru and the plains far below.
We then continue on a steep ridge to reach Karanga Valley Camp (4,100m), where we have a relaxed afternoon and dinner. [5-7 hours walking]
This afternoon there will be an optional and highly useful acclimatization trek to just below the glaciers, which will allow you to try scree walking, for those members of the group with energy reserves to spare.
Day 6: To Barafu Camp
We leave the Karanga Valley this morning, following an easy path on compact scree, and gaining altitude rapidly as we approach Barafu campsite (4,680m).
After lunch in camp, there will be the option of a short acclimatisation walk to the plateau at the bottom of the South-East valley (4,800m). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent – a very early night tonight. [3-5 hours walking]
Day 7: Summit Night
We start our ascent by torchlight just after midnight so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zigzags.
Trekking at a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735m) in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time, watching the sun as it rises over Mawenzi.
Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from Stella Point along the crater rim and to Uhuru Peak (5,896m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.
From the summit, the descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite, Millennium Camp (3,820m), on Mweka Route. [11-15 hours walking]
Day 8: Descend Mountain (1 night, Moivaro Coffee Lodge)
A sustained descent on a well-trodden path through tropical rainforest to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650m), and then on to Mweka village. [3-5 hours walking].
We will be met in Mweka and transferred to Moivaro Lodge for a well-earned hot shower, dinner and rest!
Day 9: International Departure
This morning is spent at leisure at Moivaro Lodge until your scheduled transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your homeward flight or onward connection.
If flying this afternoon or evening, you are welcome to continue to use the lodge facilities after check-out. A day room can also be booked on request for late departures.
Kilimanjaro Machame Route (7 Days)
Please refer to price guide for a list of our upcoming Machame fixed departures. For private climb rates, please contact us.
Kilimanjaro Machame Route (7 Days)
OPEN GROUPS AVAILABLE | The seven-day Machame route sees you climb to Kilimanjaro’s summit via Shira Plateau, the Southern Flank, Barranco Wall and Barafu. The descent is via the wilderness Mweka Route. This is a popular and approachable trek, offering a good acclimatisation profile.
Outline Itinerary
Price guide
Pricing
9 days from £2434pp
Father and Son at the summit of Kilimanjaro
Everything went according to plan, in fact there wasn't a single hitch, so well done for that!
Self-drive holiday in South Africa
Thank you for organising such a wonderful holiday. From the start to the finish it exceeded all expectations.