9 Days Machame Route

Day 1: Arrival

As you touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport, a warm Tanzanian welcome awaits you! Your designated guide will escort you directly to your hotel, where you can unwind and immerse yourself in the vibrant African ambiance. The following day, embark on an exclusive, personalized safari adventure led by your guide, granting you the freedom to explore at your leisurely pace.

Reasons to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

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Day 2: Machame Gate (1,800 M/ 5,905 FT) - Machame Camp (3,000M/ 9,840 FT)

Embark on an unforgettable journey along the Machame Route. Day 1 commences at Machame Gate, positioned at 1,800 meters (5,905 feet) above sea level. As you climb through the magnificent terrain, lush rainforests will transform into heather moorlands. Your goal for the day is Machame Camp, situated at 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) elevation. Get ready to be captivated by the awe-inspiring landscape and immerse yourself in the splendor of Tanzania's natural marvels.

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Day 3: Machame Camp (3,000M/ 9,875 FT) - Shira Camp (3,840M/ 12,600 FT)

Set off on an invigorating expedition as you ascend from Machame Camp at 3,000m to Shira Camp at 3,840m. Delight in awe-inspiring vistas of Kibo and Shira as you progress and relish the excitement of climbing to greater heights. This segment of the Machame route will test and motivate you, ensuring an indelible journey through Tanzania's magnificent landscapes.

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Day 4: Shira Camp (3,840 M/ 12,600 FT) - Lava Tower (4630 M/ 15,190 FT) - Barranco Camp (3,960M M/ 12,992 FT)

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring splendor of Kilimanjaro on day 3 of the Machame route. Journey from Shira Camp, nestled at an impressive altitude of 3,840m, to the towering Lava Tower at 4,630m. It's crucial to discover your ideal pace, considering this is a lengthier hike, and you may experience some discomfort due to the heightened altitude. Conclude by descending to Barranco Camp at 3,960m, nestled at the base of the imposing Barranco Wall.

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Day 5: Barranco Camp (3,960 M/12,992 FT) TO Barafu Camp (4,640 M/15,223 FT)

Transition from Barranco Camp (3,960 m/12,992 ft) to Barafu Camp (4,640 m/15,223 ft). This demanding yet captivating venture propels you further into the African heavens, enveloped by breathtaking landscapes. Ready yourself for spectacular panoramic vistas and propel yourself nearer to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. However, remember to allocate time for relaxation and rest, as around midnight, you commence your ultimate ascent to the summit!

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Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,640 M/ 15,100 FT) - Uhuru Peak (5,895 M/ 19,340 FT) - Millenium Camp (3,820 M/ 12,532 FT)

The Millenium camp nestles within a tropical rainforest. As you awaken today, you'll relish a delightful sensation owing to the decrease in altitude and the fulfillment of summiting. Following breakfast, enjoy a leisurely stroll to the park exit. Your driver will then take you back to the hotel for a thoroughly deserved rest!

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Day 7: Millenium Camp (3,820 M/ 12,532 FT) - Mweka Gate (1,650 M/ 5,380 FT) - Hotel

Around midnight, your journey begins from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak. The ascent traverses well-maintained trails, with the most demanding aspect being the high altitude. Upon reaching the summit, savor the breathtaking sunrise, an awe-inspiring sight at this elevation! Following a brief period at the pinnacle, where you commemorate your ultimate triumph, descend gradually to the picturesque and scenic Millennium Camp.

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Day 8 - 9: Final Day and Flight Back to Home

On your final day, luxuriate a while longer at the lodge, basking in relaxation before our driver escorts you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your homeward-bound flight, tailored to suit your departure schedule.

Gear

There are five ecological zones on Mount Kilimanjaro, each with its own climate and weather characteristics. Climbers are required to have the right gear to stay warm, dry and comfortable in a wide range of weather conditions. Typically, it is warm and humid in the rainforest, at the start of your trek. Then as you climb higher, it becomes colder and drier in the moorland and alpine desert zone. The summit can be extremely cold and windy, as being in the arctic zone would suggest. Climbing Kilimanjaro is like hiking from summer to winter in a matter of days. Your apparel will reflect this as well. You will need technical clothing such as a waterproof jacket, fleece jacket and several base layers. Cold weather gear such as hats, gloves, down jacket, and a warm sleeping bag are essential.

You are responsible for bringing personal gear and equipment while communal equipment (tents, food, cooking items, etc.) is provided. For clients who have hiking and backpacking experience, you will already have most if not all of the gear on the list. If you are starting from scratch, then it will take some time and money to assemble the items. Also consider renting gear from shops or borrowing gear from friends if possible to reduce the cost.

Training

We recommend training for at least two months prior to your departure. For those who are new to hiking, it would be smart to train longer. For those who are regular hikers, you will likely perform fine just keeping your regular routine. Doing day hikes is a great way to prepare though it’s entirely possible to train exclusively on a stair master machine if you don’t have access to trails.

Attitude Training

In fact, a person who is in phenomenal shape but can’t acclimatize will perform worse than a person who is in poor shape but acclimatizes well. There are things you can do to pre-acclimatize, or prepare for high altitude, before your climb. For instance, you can spend some time at high altitude immediately before your trip. If that is impractical due to timing, you can take a trip or two to high elevation destinations and hike – just to test your body’s response. You can also use an altitude training system and pre-acclimatize in your own home.

Medical Check

It is a good idea to be medically cleared for climbing by your doctor. Your age, fitness level, health, and pre-existing medical conditions may preclude you from high altitude trekking. Our minimum fitness requirements are that each climber must have a resting heart rate of under 100 beats per minute.

Vaccination

There are NO mandatory vaccinations, immunizations or medications to enter Tanzania. However, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends many vaccines for travel to East Africa. We encourage you to discuss your travel plans with a medical professional to determine which vaccinations and medications you should get.

Insurance

Travel insurance is required to participate on our trips. Standard travel insurance provides coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, and delay; lost, stolen and damaged baggage; medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation; and luggage delay. Your travel insurance must also cover high altitude trekking up to 6,000 meters. This insurance will make you eligible for rescue by helicopter from Kilimanjaro MedAir, a private company. Clients must be able to provide proof of insurance to staff upon request or they will not be allowed to participate.