Climb Kilimanjaro: the Machame Route

Machame starts on the southern side of the massif. The trail climbs through mountain forest to the Machame camp, comes out onto the Shira plateau, crosses high-altitude desert and joins the southern circuit of Kibo.

On the stage to Barranco the team climbs to roughly 4,500 m and descends to sleep at about 3,900 m. That profile helps acclimatisation, but the compact length of the route still calls for close attention to how everyone is feeling.

The Barranco Wall is the most recognisable section of Machame. It is a steep trail on which hands are used for balance, but it is not technical rock climbing. In rain the rock can be slippery, and your speed depends on the movement of other groups.

From Barranco the route passes through the Karanga area to the Barafu camp. The summit push begins at night, after which the group descends in a different direction through the Mweka camp. The result is a full traverse of the southern part of the massif.

Machame requires no previous technical ascents, but it does require endurance. Follow the guidance on training for the mountains and study the symptoms of altitude sickness in advance.

Machame is often called a dynamic route, and not only because of its schedule. The trail is constantly working with the terrain: climbing onto ridges, dropping into valleys, rounding the southern slopes of Kibo and forcing you to ration your strength. It shows particularly clearly why speed on Kilimanjaro must be dictated by altitude rather than by competitive urge.

After the descent the trip can continue with a safari in Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, or with a flight to the beaches of Zanzibar. Both extensions are arranged so as to leave a proper margin after the mountain part.

Day 1. Arrival in Tanzania.

Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi. After check-in there is a briefing, a check of personal equipment and preparation of the duffel bag. Night at the hotel. In the evening participants meet the guide and pack only what will genuinely be needed on a fast-moving route.

Day 2. Moshi to the Machame gate to the Machame camp.

Drive to the Machame gate at about 1,800 m, registration and the start of the trek through damp mountain forest. The stage ends at the Machame camp at about 3,000 m. Night in tents. The first camp greets the team with the damp air of the forest and evening cloud through which Kibo occasionally appears.

Day 3. Machame camp to the Shira camp.

The trail leaves the forest for the heather moorland and climbs onto the Shira plateau to a camp at about 3,800 m. The day continues acclimatisation and opens the first wide view of Kibo. Night in tents. On the Shira plateau the forest is left below, and the tents stand among heather moorland and broad volcanic panoramas.

Day 4. Shira to the Lava Tower to Barranco.

The team gains altitude to roughly 4,500 m, then descends to the Barranco camp at about 3,900 m. Climbing above the overnight stop helps acclimatisation. Night in tents. The contrast between the Lava Tower and the green Barranco valley is one of the strongest of the route.

Day 5. Barranco to Karanga to Barafu.

In the morning the team crosses the Barranco Wall, then continues through the Karanga area to the Barafu assault camp at about 4,800 m. After check-in participants prepare for the night departure and go to rest early. Night in tents. Beyond the Barranco Wall the route gathers the main landscapes of the southern circuit into one long and eventful stage.

Day 6. Ascent of Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m, and descent to Mweka.

A night departure to the crater rim and Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m. The decision to continue is taken by the guide, taking account of the weather, the pace and each participant’s condition. After the summit the group returns to Barafu and continues on a long descent to the Mweka camp at about 3,700 m. Night in tents. Darkness gives way gradually to dawn over Mawenzi, and then the equally serious work of a long descent begins.

Day 7. Mweka camp to the Mweka gate to Moshi.

The final descent through forest to the Mweka gate at about 1,500 m, completion of the route formalities and transfer to Moshi. Night at the hotel. At the Mweka gate the team returns to warm air, thick vegetation and the first real pause since the summit.

Day 8. End of the programme.

Breakfast and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport. The departure time is agreed against the confirmed flight. The rest of the journey can begin immediately with a safari or a flight to Zanzibar.

• A Mountain Guide team leader with groups of four participants or more
• The services of a local English-speaking mountain guide
• The services of a cook and porters
• Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to the hotel
• Transfer from the hotel to Kilimanjaro International Airport after the programme
• All the road transfers set out in the programme
• Two nights in a 3* hotel in Moshi, twin occupancy, with breakfast
• The Kilimanjaro National Park permit and compulsory fees
• Accommodation in twin tents during the mountain part of the programme
• Full board during the mountain part of the programme – breakfast, lunch and dinner

• International flights to Tanzania and back
• The transfer between Nairobi and Moshi, if a participant chooses to fly via Kenya
• Medical insurance covering high-altitude trekking to 5,895 m and evacuation – compulsory for participation
• Entry visa where required for your nationality, payable separately at the current authority tariff
• Lunches and dinners at the hotel before and after the climb
• Single occupancy – the cost is confirmed separately
• Personal equipment and clothing
• Tips for the local mountain team – the recommended amount is confirmed before the trip
• Any costs arising from a departure from the programme

The documents:

• The passport
• Flight tickets
• Medical insurance
• Information about vaccination against yellow fever

Personal equipment:

• Backpack. 20-30l.
• Sleeping bag, comfort temperature from -5°C to -10°C.
• Mat
• Trekking poles

Clothes and shoes:

• Trekking boots
• Sneakers (for cities)
• Waterproof layer – Jacket + trousers. The industry offers a range of products from simple 5000/5000 memban to Gore-Tex products
• Fleece suit
• Lightweight trekking pants
• Thermal underwear top+bottom
• Long Sleeve T-shirts
• Puff
• The gloves are thick
• The gloves are thin
• Bandana (in addition to protection from the Sun in the valley, it can be used to warm the throat or face in the cold)
• Hat
• Warm trekking socks for climbing day

Other

• Flashlight LED head with a glow reserve of at least 12 hours
• Sunglasses
• Ski mask (optional)
• Leggings
• Thermos 1L
• Reusable bottle
• A duffel bag that you will give to the mule
• Hermetic bags for clothes and a sleeping bag (or plastic bags in excess)
• Camping towel
• Sun cream, hygienic lipstick
• Mosquito repellant
• Personal first aid kit
• Elastic bandage and/or support bandage
• Malaria pills