For decades, adventurers from around the world have been summoned to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s Rooftop. As the highest free-standing mountain in Africa, those who reach the summit have not only bragging rights but wonderful memories of an incredible adventure. The Machame 10-day Trek offers travelers the most scenic and viable ascent route to Kilimanjaro. This physically challenging climb includes steep and long hiking days paired with luxury camping accommodations and guide services to give you the best chance to make the summit. This deluxe climb features walk-in tents, portable toilets, and a shower to ensure you can rest and relax each evening. Safety equipment such as oxygen, portable hyperbaric chambers, and oximeters for monitoring blood oxygen levels is included.
Highlights
Explore Moshi at your leisure or arrange a day excursion
Hike through valleys, across plateaus, and over ridges
Spend 7 days trekking Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Watch the sunrise from the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
Requires the highest level of physical challenge and performance. Includes tours involving strenuous multi-day trekking or summit hikes. The majority of the hours in most days are physically active. Travelers will need intensive training in advance to meet the physical demands on these trips.
Today is a free day in Moshi to rest and prepare for your trek, and we can arrange additional excursions such as:
Arusha National Park - Introduction to game viewing with options for canoe ride on Small Momela Lake or a walking safari.
Coffee Cooperative and Village Tour - Visit the village of Uru on the slopes of Kilimanjaro which produces some of the world's finest coffee. Get an understanding of village life for people living on Africa's highest mountain.
Mountain Biking - Day trips are available to stretch your legs and explore the backcountry.
Join a pre-climb briefing with your mountain guide in the evening. Get a good night’s rest, as tomorrow you start off on the Mount Kilimanjaro climb!
This morning you depart early and transfer just under an hour to the Machame Gate, from here start the day's hike. Trek through a thick mountain forest of Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes as you gain approximately 4000 ft during the 6-8 hour hike. Camp will be set up when you arrive, so you can relax and enjoy your first camp dinner.
Camp altitude: 9843 ft Hiking length: 6-8 hours Hike Distance: 6 Miles
After breakfast the group sets off for another day of hiking. Start by traversing the moorland zone, while you take in views of Shira Platea and Mount Meru. After a quick rest continue up the rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. The altitude gain today means walking at a slower pace, so take the time to enjoy the views. Tonight dine and sleep at Shira Camp.
Camp altitude: 12,600 ft Hiking length: 4-6 hours Hike Distance: 5 Miles
Depart Shira Camp in the morning, hiking a gradual path towards Kibo Peak. Today the terrain shifts again to a semi dessert and rocky landscape. Today’s hike will be the most challenging yet. The effects of the altitude starting showing in breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. Once you reach Buttress point, descend down to Barranco Camp for dinner and overnight.
Camp altitude: 13,000 ft Hiking length: 6-8 hours Hike Distance: 7.5 Miles
Cross the Barranco Valley and up the Barranco wall this morning before heading across the scree and ridges where you will meet up with the South Circuit path and hike though the Karanga Valley. Karanga Valley is the last water stop on the route. Reach Karanga Valley camp by lunchtime today and have a chance to acclimate and rest before dinner.
Camp altitude: 13,105 ft Hiking length: 5-6 hours Hike Distance: 2.5 Miles
Today make a slow ascent up a moraine ridge to Barafu camp. The hike is very steep and offer views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks as well as of the southern glaciers and glacial valleys. Again, you should arrive by lunch time and it is important to familiarize yourself with the camp layout before dark, as it is situated on an exposed and dangerous ridge. Barafu is the Swahili word for ‘ice’ and tonight’s camp is in a bleak and inhospitable camping area. This evening rest and prepare for summit night.
Camp altitude: 15300 ft Hiking length: 5-6 hours Hike Distance: 2.5 Miles
Your final push to the summit starts tonight at midnight! Tonight’s climb is one of the steepest on the non-technical paths of Kilimanjaro. It is a 6-7 hour hike to Stella Point (18,815 ft), but the sunrise that awaits you is a once-in-a-lifetime event. From Stella Point, hike one more hour to the summit, Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft), be prepared, as most likely you will experience snow. After enjoying your accomplishment, descend down to Mweka Camp for a well-deserved rest and your last dinner on the mountain.
Today you complete your climbing experience with an easy walk (3-4 hours) back to the Mweka gate, where a waiting vehicle will transfer you back to your hotel. The evening is free to toast your incredible accomplishments of the previous week!
Day 10: Departure Day
1 Breakfast
Today you say goodbye to Tanzania with your summit certificate and memories in tow, or, continue on with a traditional Africa Safari or visit to Zanzibar.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 25% ($400 minimum), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
9 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 6 Dinners
9 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Sleeping Bag
Gear Rental: Camping Gear (walk-in tent, camp bed with pillow, portable toilet (1 per 5 climbers), dining chairs with backs, & camp shower (1 per 5 climbers))
All National Park Entry, Camp, and Rescue Fees
Safety Equipment - Oxygen (1 per 5 climbers), Hyperbaric (Gamov) Pressure Bag (1 per 10 climbers), and oximeters
6 nights of camping are included on this trekking itinerary. Accommodations are walk-in tents with camp beds and camp pillows.
Machame Route Camps
Day 2 - Machame Camp elevation: 9,843 ft
Day 3 - Shira Camp elevation: 12,600 ft
Day 4 - Barranco Camp elevation: 13,000 ft
Day 5 - Karanga Valley Camp elevation: 13,105 ft
Day 6 - Barafu Camp elevation: 15,300 ft
Day 7 - Mweka Camp elevation: 10,065 ft
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Trekking Pole $15/pair
Departure Transfer
Airport Departure Tax
Tourist Visa - Contact your Consulate in advance
Personal Hiking Equipment - Please bring daypack, clothing, and sleeping bag. Gear rental is also available--please reference your MyTrips documents for current rates.
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
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May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
TrustScore 4.8 | 178 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 178 reviews on
8 hours ago
I received a quick and friendly response from my contact, Christina Mayo, both in email and phone calls. My request for information was provided in less than a day. She took a few minutes to chat about family and events. Dealing with her has always been a pleasure!
Mary Ann
1 day ago
First class all the way. Enjoyed our Guide, Karla, Driver Mark so much. Personalized tour of Antigua during Easter was like a National Geographic in person. Trip of the Lifetime. Such a spiritual and magical tour. Many Thanks.
Ben Shaver
Ben Shaver, Jr.
3 days ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
5 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
1 week ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.