6 Days Machame Route – Chalema Tanzania Safaris

Overview

Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on the entire continent of Africa. Pass through five unique ecological zones where countless flora and fauna thrive. Photograph stunning scenery as you ascend and descend the mountain along two distinct paths. Enjoy the camaraderie and support of your hiking team from Chalema Tanzania Safaris. Are you ready for an exciting and challenging climb to the summit of Africa’s tallest mountain? Chalema Tanzania Safaris has prepared an unforgettable six-day itinerary on the popular Machame Route to the peak of Kilimanjaro. We’ll trek through five distinct ecological zones, enjoying unusually gorgeous scenery during our ascent. After reaching the summit, we’ll return along a different path, lending us the opportunity to see new facets of the mountain on each day of our itinerary. This trekking path is known locally as the Whisky Route, which speaks to its relative difficulty in comparison with the Coca-Cola Route, or Marangu Route. You can expect long days of hiking over steep alpine terrain—but your reward will be the very best views Kilimanjaro has to offer, and our dedicated team of guides and porters will work tirelessly to make your adventure a resounding success.

Please note: Chalema Tanzania Safaris can also arrange for a Seven-Day Machame Route itinerary in order to allow for a more relaxed pace, as well as affording more time for acclimatization.

Pricing

From $1,550 – $1900 USD Per person sharing

$2,300 USD Solo Traveller

tour plans

Day 1 – (Arrival-Moshi):

Whether you’re coming directly from the Kilimanjaro International Airport or elsewhere in Tanzania, your adventure will begin when a friendly representative from Chalema Tanzania Safaris brings you to the mountainside town of Moshi. This scenic cityscape sprawls across the slopes of Kilimanjaro, and you’ll enjoy a warm welcome at the lovely Parkview Inn. The hotel’s lusciously landscaped gardens are the perfect cure for jetlag. You can spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool and enjoying an exquisite meal at the on-site restaurant. Make sure to get plenty of rest tonight—our hike to the roof of Africa begins first thing in the morning!

Day 2- (Machame Gate-Machame Camp):(1830 M) – MACHAME HUT (3020 M) Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi

Approx. time taken: 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

After a short drive through the village of Machame to reach the entrance gate of Kilimanjaro National Park, it’s time to shoulder our backpacks, grab our trekking poles, and hit the trail. Our first day of hiking begins along a footpath which twists and turns as it rises through a bewitching rainforest on the southwest face of the mountain. The terrain here can be slippery, so we’ll take our time and concentrate on enjoying the splendid scenery, keeping our eyes peeled for any animals scurrying through the underbrush or capering in the canopy above our heads. After approximately six hours, we’ll reach our first campsite: Machame Camp. Believe it or not, you’ve already climbed more than 1,000 meters in a single day—and there’s plenty more to come.

Day 3- (Machame Camp-Shira Camp):SHIRA CAMP (3840 M).

Distance covered: 5.4km / 3.4mi

Approx. time taken: 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Our second morning on the trail begins with a tasty breakfast—you’ll quickly come to marvel at the fresh flavors our hiking team from Chalema Tanzania Safaris can whip up. When it’s time to depart Machame Camp, you can expect to be on the trail for another five or six hours. We’ll leave the rainforest behind us and ascend into a genuine alpine environment, climbing steep ridges to reach fantastic landscapes of rolling heather, sprawling moors, and winding waterways. Our destination today is Shira Camp, situated on a plateau with superb views across the rocky wilderness of Kilimanjaro. From here, we’ll be able to see the highest of the mountain’s three summits, known as Kibo. On a clear day, we’ll also be able to see Mount Meru far to the east.

Day 4 – (Shira Camp-Barranco Camp):SHIRA CAMP – LAVA TOWER (4640 M) – BARRANCO HUT (3980 M).

Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi

Approx. time taken: 8 hrs

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Lace up your hiking boots and get ready for our most challenging day yet! Today we’ll be ascending to approximately 4,600 meters above sea level—this is higher than many trekkers ever manage to climb. And as we ascend the mountain seeking ever greater heights, we’ll enter yet another fascinating landscape of volcanic rocks and stark ridges. The major landmark on today’s trail is the Lava Tower, or Shark’s Tooth: a tall, picturesque rock formation which serves to mark our highest point for the day. From here, we’ll descend through a forest of distinctive dendrosenecio plants called groundsels in order to reach Barranco Camp. In keeping with the trekker’s mantra of “climb high, sleep low,” our campsite for the evening rests at just under 4,000 meters. This will ensure that we have the best chance of acclimatizing to the rarefied air as we approach the summit in the days to come.

Day 5 -(Barranco Camp-Barafu Camp):BARAFU CAMP ( 4650 M ).

Distance covered: 8.5km / 5.3mi

Approx. time taken: 8 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

We’ve got a long day of tough hiking ahead of us, and you can expect to be on your feet for anywhere from eight to 10 hours. But today represents some of the finest trekking anywhere in the world, and it all begins by climbing up and over the notorious Barranco Wall. This steep rock face requires caution and patience, but no technical skills are needed to surmount this obstacle—and the views from the top are worth the effort! Afterwards, we’ll stop to enjoy lunch in the Karanga Valley before pushing on to the rocky environs of Barafu Camp. Here we’ll pitch our tents at about 4,600 meters, enjoying excellent views of Kilimanjaro’s Mawenzi and Kibo summits. Make sure to get plenty of rest, because we’ll be making for Kibo before the sun rises.

Day 6 – (Barafu Camp-Uhuru Peak-Mweka Hut):UHURU PEAK (5895 M) – MILLENIUM ( 3800 M ) MWEKA CAMP ( 3100 M).

Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi

Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

There’s just enough time for a quick bolt of tea before we ascend through the midnight darkness to approach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Our path leads between two larger-than-life glaciers before climbing the steep scree-covered slopes on the way to the summit. This is challenging terrain, but your partners from Chalema Tanzania Safaris will be there to guide you past these obstacles in order to reach Stella Point. This is fantastic spot to watch the sun rise over the plains of East Africa, and many climbers turn around here. But you’ve come all this way to summit Kilimanjaro, and there’s a little further yet to go. After checking on everyone’s condition, we’ll push on to Uhuru Peak: the very roof of Africa! We’ll savor our success before beginning the long downhill hike ahead of us. We’ll be returning to 3,000 meters in elevation after about seven total hours on the trail today, reentering the rainforest to spend the night at Mweka Hut in the evening.

Day 7 – (Mweka Hut-Mweka Gate): MILLENIUM OU MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE (1640 M) – ARUSHA.

Distance covered: 12.1km / 7.5mi

Approx. time taken: 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

It’s all downhill from here! Relatively speaking, that is—there’s still some tricky terrain to cross as we descend for approximately four hours through the wet environment of the mountain’s montane forest. Since we’re returning along a different path, you’ll get to enjoy new scenery around every corner. We’ll exit Kilimanjaro National Park through the Mweka Gate and enter the traditional village of Mweka, where we’ll meet our ride back into town. After picking up any gear we’ve left in Moshi, we’ll make the drive to Arusha to spend the night at the eco-friendly Karama Lodge and Spa. This is the perfect retreat to relax your tired muscles and celebrate the accomplishment of a lifetime.

Day 8 – Day 8 – (Departure):

With the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro at our backs, it’s time to bid a fond farewell to the wild landscapes and friendly people of Tanzania. Depending on the departure time of your outgoing travel arrangements, you may have time to grab a bite to eat or do a quick bit of shopping in the colorful town of Arusha. When it’s time to depart, a representative from Chalema Tanzania Safaris will happily escort you to the Kilimanjaro International Airport. We hope you’ve had as much fun as we have, and we trust that you’ll be back again soon!

Map Located

Tour Includes / Excludes

Included

Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary.
Proper Ration of Mountain crew (Cook & Porters).
Airport Transfers.
Drinking water and Full Board meals.
Rescue Fees and Emergency Evacuation Coverage with AMREF.
Complimentary Oxygen Cylinder.
Professional, English and French speaking Wilderness First Responder & CPR certified Guide.
Pre and Post accommodations (2 nights Bed and Breakfast).
Meals according to the itinerary.
All National Park & Hut Fees, Crew Permits and VAT.
Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages.
Gate Transfers.

Excluded

Flights
Travel Insurance (Required).
Medication
Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
Visa fees.
Gamow Bag.
Tips for porters and mountain crew.
Energy food & beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks.
Additional lodge nights if early descent from the mountain.

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