Machame Route Kilimanjaro hiking joining group tours 2023, 2024, 2025 from Arusha or Moshi

The most well-known and highly recommended path up Kilimanjaro climbing joining group tours Via Machame Route. It is also the only route up the summit. According to statistics from the Kilimanjaro National Park, around 50% of climbers choose the Machame Route to summit the mountain. The route is stunning and magnificent, offering climbers breathtaking views of many natural and amazing features as well as a variety of landscapes.From gate to gate, the Machame Route is around 62 km/37 miles long. It's intended for physically fit individuals with some experience trekking and climbing, but many first-timers use the Machame route and do just fine.

It is possible to see natural features of the area, such as Lake Jipe, as well as flora and fauna, such as tree hyraxes, bush monkeys, and several species of birds, such as white-naked ravens, on the Machame Route. That is why many hikers suggested it as a superior option to alternative routes, The Machame route is known as the "Whiskey Path" because it is seen as being more challenging than the Marangu route, which is known as the "Coca Cola Route." In actuality, it is longer and at some points steeper than it is technically challenging. A considerably better chance of acclimatization is provided by the longer distance and the chance to "walk high, sleep low," which leads to a very high success rate. For those who are fit, the Machame trek is a good seven-day hike.

Elevation (ft): (3,000 m): 5-. 6,000 ft / 1,830 m to 10,200 ft / 3,100 m.

Distance: 11 km.

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours.

Habitat: Montane Forest.

Camp: Machame Camp.

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Day 2:Kilimanjaro hiking groups Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Elevation (ft):10,200 ft / 3,100 m to 12,600 ft / 3,840 m.

Distance: 9 km.

Walking Time:4-6 hours.

Habitat: Moorland.

Full Board Shira Cave Camp

After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

Day 3:Kilimanjaro hiking group Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Valley.

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (3,950 m.): 5-7 hours walking.

12,600 ft / 3,840 m to 12,700 ft / 3,860 m.

Distance: 15 km.

Walking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert.

Full Board Barranco Camp

Today we walk on a gentle ascent and panoramic views.We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and after hot lunch the bottom of the Lava Tower (4,600 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,950 m.). .

Day 4: Kilimanjaro hikinh group Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

Barranco Camp to Barafu Hut Camp {4600m} 6-8 hours. 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft

Distance: 9km/

Walking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Full Board at Barafu Camp.

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elves 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elves 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp with views of the summit in the distance.

Day 5:Kilimanjaro hiking group Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp

Elevation (ft): 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,343ft Down to 3090m/10,150ft

Distance: 6km up / 13km down

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Reitzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

Day 6: Kilimanjaro hiking group Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Arusha or Moshi.

Elevation (ft): 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest

Meals: B

After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). Africa Natural Tours vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi.

Day of departure: Transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.