Machame Route: 7-Day Kilimanjaro Climb Price
Of the main Kilimanjaro climbing routes, Machame is one of the most popular trails. Hiking using Machame route can be done in either 6 days or 7 days at affordable Kilimanjaro climb price. Most of the Kilimanjaro climbers choose to use this hiking route due to its impressive views combining a variety of habitats. 7-day Kilimanjaro climb via Machame is the most recommended due to having an extra to acclimatize effectively prior to attempting the summit trekking.
There are those who take greater risks by climbing Kilimanjaro on the Western Breach Route which is not the safest. Western Breach route is the most technically challenging reach to Kilimanjaro’s summit and requires technical level of fitness before attempting.
Kilimanjaro’s snowy mountain peak is one of the most memorable pictures you can bring home from East Africa. It is Africa’s highest mountain and the highest freestanding mountain in the world. On this tour you follow Machame trail, which goes to be the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro. It offers a varied landscape with great nature experiences and fantastic views. Here you wander through semi-tropical rainforest, open moors, rocky deserts and steep cliffs as well as glacier waterways, snow and ice.
About the climbing mount kilimanjaro machame route:
It is one of the longer and more physically demanding routes to the summit (you travel for a total of about 100 km). Machame route is the Whisky route offering better acclimatization than many of the other routes, which means you have more success in reaching the summit on this route. On the route you sleep in tents and only go with your backpack, the rest of the packing is carried by carriers / porters and the food is prepared by a cook / chef.
Summary of the 7-Day Kilimanjaro Climb price:
The climb on this Machame route is often referred as ‘The Whisky’ Route as compared with the most famous Marangu route. It is one of the popular ascent routes with steep paths passing through the magnificent forest leading into the moorland, alpine desert and on to Shira Plateau. From here, Machame traverses under glacier precipices of the Southern ice-fields (Southern circuit) to join Barafu on to the summit Uhuru Peak. It has an option to camp at Karanga Valley Camp for acclimatization. Climbing Kilimanjaro groups can decide to omit this night at Karanga Camp. This allows you to have climbs high and sleeps low.
Climbing Kilimanjaro descent on Machame route is via Mweka route and Mweka Gate. Accommodation throughout the route is camping in high altitude tents, that porters set up for the trekkers (Marangu route uses mountain huts). A thermal sleeping bag, warm clothing, and hiking poles are needed. Tents and sleeping mattresses are however provided.
Machame trail on this 7 days Kilimanjaro climb price has very good acclimatization conditions, this giving hikers high chances of hitting the summit. The trek on this route is steeper than the use of the most popular Marangu route. It is better suited to the adventurous hiker or trekker with rewarding scenic splendor. For those looking for an adventure in a remote route, the southern circuit via Lemosho route is recommended with an option to spend the night at the crater rim. With this option, it allows you the opportunity to add a night at the climb Kilimanjaro crater rim before you summit.
Trek up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro via Machame route is rated as one of the mountain’s better routes amaking it the most recommended.
Machame Route 7 Days on Kilimanjaro climb highlights:
• Chance to start from Moshi or Arusha via the Shira Plateau
• The advantage to acclimatize at Karanga Valley Camp offering better chances to reach the summit (climbs high, sleeps low)
• Traverses the scenic Southern glacier or icefield to reach Barafu Camp
• Climbing mount Kilimanjaro machame trail for ascent but descent on the Mweka route with an average success rate in excess of 85% to Uhuru Peak
• Enjoy the services of an expert Kilimanjaro guide on your all included climb with tents, climbing permits, meals, transport, camping, porters, cook, and meals provided
• Walking through the lush rain forest, Savannah grassland, Giant Heather, Moorland, alpine desert and lobelias
• Watching sunrise at The Stella Point
• Iconic climbing the beautiful Barranco Wall and the Lava tower
Machame Trail on 7-day Kilimanjaro climb itinerary and pricing:
Day one: Arrival and briefing
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be picked up to your hotel in Moshi. From here, our expert guide will provide you with briefing about your expected trek and check your trekking gear for your climbing Kilimanjaro next day. Bed and breakfast accommodation at Keys Annex Hotel.
Day two: From Moshi to Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park and on to Machame Camp, via Machame Gate – Machame route
Today morning, you will get picked up and transferred to the Kilimanjaro National Park at Machame Gate (5,950 ft./1,815 m.). Here, you will undergo registration process by the park authority. Then you begin your trek up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro through the rain forest. You trek along knotted roots and possibly hear exotic birds in the canopy above, see black and white colobus monkeys as well as Sykes monkeys.
This hike is rather long though not steep. Trekkers are however asked to be cautious as there may be mud on the forest grounds. You continue on to some heath land, just before reaching your first overnight camp which is Machame Camp, just above the forest zone at 9,850 feet. The trek lasts approximately 6-7 hours walk. Meals and the night at Machame Camp, B, L, D.
Day three: Start from Machame Camp to Shira Camp, 5-6 hours
An ascent of the day continues across beautiful heath land and the alpine moorland with bravura views of Kilimanjaro Uhuru Peak. You then begin steep track through the savannah of tall grasses and Giant Heather and Erica trees. You now scramble around huge boulders as you move into the moorland zone which is clearly marked by lobelia and senecio plants as well as volcanic rocks swathed with lichen beards. These protect wild alpine flowers budding at their bases. The night and meals are at Shira Camp (at 12,600 feet), B, L, D.
Day four: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp, 5-6 hours walking (alpine desert)
Now you will be getting nearer to the peak as you move close to Lava Tower. Here, the trek starts becoming a bit more strenuous. The trail steepens towards the approach of the Lava Tower which is a 300-foot tall volcanic plug marking an exposed pass at 15,000 feet.
The afternoon will see you descend the steep trail into the Great Barranco Valley set on a flat area (col) encircled on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. In the sunshine above, hanging glaciers glint, amidst the giant groundsels (scientifically Senecio Kilimanjari), and the distinctively endemic Giant Lobelia. Vegetation now turns into alpine desert. You will at this point slowly ascend to Barranco Camp (at 12,950 feet) for dinner and night. This day offers partial acclimatization.
Day five: Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley Camp (Acclimatisation), 4-5 hours hiking
We begin a gradual descent into the gorge. You then climbing its Eastern wall to enjoy the views of Kilimanjaro’s ice fields said to be an equatorial anomaly. Continue trekking further until you reach Karanga Valley Camp at (13,900 feet) to spend the night acclimatizing, B, L, D.
Day six: Karanga Valley Camp to Barafu Camp / Barafu Hut, walking for 6-7 hours
Breakfast is at Karanga Valley Camp from where we start our day’s trek up through Karanga Valley at which point the route turns steadily uphill. This follows the lava ridge ascending to the Barafu Hut / Camp. Now the temperature starts to grow colder and the landscapes become more sparse. You reach Barafu Camp which is set on a small exposed flat area on a ridge that acts as a base camp. From this camp, you will make your much awaited summit attempt, starting just at midnight tonight. Overnight at Barafu Hut / Camp (15,200 feet). Please be sure to catch an early sleep, B, L, D..
Day seven: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak summit and descent to Mweka Camp, 12-17 hours
We now start summit attempt, just after midnight which is now the most challenging day of the trek, with 12-17hrs of trekking. You will pass between the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers to the rim of Stella Point. Here, temperatures range from just below freezing point at midnight to between 10 degrees F (-12 degrees C) to –10 F. (-23 degrees C) towards dawn at the summit.
You will summit at Uhuru Peak which is the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet, just before dawn with a possible reward of the African sunrise. Uhuru peak will be the culmination of your strenuous Kilimanjaro climb, with an 85% success rate. You will then start your descent back to Barafu Camp for breakfast and some rest before you continue with a further descent through Mweka route towards Mweka Camp (9,840 feet) which is 3-4 hours of walking from Barafu. Spend the night at Mweka Camp, B, L, D.
Day eight: Exit from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, 3 – 4 hours
Today is your final day to exit Kilimanjaro National Park. You will descend in about 3-4hrs to the Mweka gate. Here you will receive your certificates and bade farewells to your expert guides, cook, and porters. You now drive back to Moshi for the night to regain your lost energy after the 7-day machame route hiking. Accommodation is on bed and breakfast at Keys Hotel, B.
Day nine: Departure from Kilimanjaro Airport
You will be driven to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight out of Tanzania or continue with a Tanzania wildlife safari, B.
7 days on Kilimanjaro climb price: $1850 per person.
Kilimanjaro climb price includes:
– All accommodations per itinerary
– All meals as per the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch and D = Dinner)
– Guided Kilimanjaro trek as per itinerary
– All ground transportation and transfers per itinerary
– Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees and permits
– Transport from Moshi to Machame gate and return from Mweka gate to Moshi
– Camping fees for the Kilimanjaro trek
– Professional certified, experienced English-speaking guide, porters, and cook
– Salaries and wages for all crew members
– Kilimanjaro rescue fees (as required by national park)
– All meals while on the mountain
– High altitude tents, foam mattresses, cooking equipment and eating utensils
– Airport transfers on arrival and departure
– Bed and breakfast accommodation in Moshi
Machame route price does not include:
– Oximeters
– Any international and domestic flights
– Meals not listed on the itinerary
– Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, telephone, airport taxes, internet, etc.)
– Tips for the guides, cook and porters
– Sleeping bags and personal climbing gear