Climb Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route


From £2,450
Altitude 5,895m Grade: T5

The climb of the Machame route on Kilimanjaro is one of the most varied and enjoyable routes on the mountain and can be completed in 6 mountain days. A perfect choice to combine with Mount Meru.

All our Kilimanjaro routes including the Machame Route have been carefully chosen both to improve your enjoyment through acclimatisation and also for your safety. The Kilimanjaro Machame Route is offered as our shortest route, whilst still giving you 6 days on the mountain, reaching the summit on your 5th day. The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied and with six days on the mountain this gives sufficient time to acclimatise. It provides the most varied terrain and each days walk is quite different. Director Dave Pritt, having previously climbed most of the routes on Kilimanjaro, says "It remains my favorite route to the summit!" This is one of the most enjoyable routes to attempt the mountain and is ideal for the fit experienced walkers who have some previous experience at altitude. It is also the ideal way to ascend Kilimanjaro if you choose to make an ascent of Mount Meru (one of our Tanzania extensions) beforehand.

All flights are to Kilimanjaro airport avoiding the overland journey to and from Nairobi. And finally we include ALL PARK FEES in our prices.

The Kilimanjaro Machame route approaches from the south side of the mountain, initially through dense, lush montane cloud forest and on up to the eastern side of the Shira plateau to Shira 2 campsite. Shortly beyond here the route merges with Lemosho route as it passes the Lava Tower (4600m) on the acclimatisation day en route to Barranco and the easy scramble up its wall. Descent is via the Mweka route.

The departure date is based on an overnight flight departing the UK in the evening and arriving the following day at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Some same-day flights may be available but the overnight flight allows you to arrive earlier in the day giving you more time to recover from the flight before heading up the mountain.

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Dates & Prices

Show prices in
All prices in Euros are guide rates, not live rates
All prices in US Dollars are guide rates, not live rates

Availability

Dates
Flight Inclusive
AvailabilityDays
With Flight
Price
Land Only
Price
With Flight
Select
27th Dec 2024 - 4th Jan 2025 Guaranteed9 £2,450£3,350 Book Now
25th Jan 2025 - 2nd Feb 2025 Spaces9 £2,450£3,350 Book Now
22nd Feb 2025 - 2nd Mar 2025 Spaces9 £2,450£3,350 Book Now
19th Jul 2025 - 27th Jul 2025 Spaces9 £2,450£3,350 Book Now
23rd Aug 2025 - 31st Aug 2025 Spaces9 £2,450£3,350 Book Now
18th Oct 2025 - 26th Oct 2025 Spaces9 £2,450£3,350 Book Now
26th Dec 2025 - 3rd Jan 2026 Spaces9 £2,450£3,350 Book Now

* A deposit of £400 will be required at checkout.

Extras

Extras can be added per-person when you book onto a date

ItemPrice
Mount Meru ascent £850
Single Supplement - Kilimanjaro £120

* A deposit of £200 (or the full extra price, whichever is lower) will be required at checkout for each extra added per-person on this trip

What's Included

  • Estimated International flights from London (flight inclusive package
  • Accommodation - 1 night hotels, 5 nights camping
  • Meals - 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 evening meals
  • Park fees as appropriate
  • All road transfers in country (unless indicated in exclusions)
  • Transfers to and from the in-country airport if flights booked with Adventure Peaks
  • British Group leader or Qualified Tanzanian guide for small groups
  • Local trekking staff to assist (cook and porters)
  • All camping equipment (excl. personal kit)
  • Adventure Peaks gift
  • 24hr back-up and support from our UK staff
  • 15% Discount off the RRP on clothing and equipment purchased at the Adventure Peaks shop.

What's Excluded

  • Travel to and from UK airport (unless otherwise specified).
  • Transfers to and from Kilimanjaro airport if flights NOT booked with Adventure Peaks
  • Personal equipment
  • Travel Insurance
  • Drinks and personal spending
  • Tips for local staff
  • Meals if not indicated in inclusions
  • Visas (if required)
  • Excess baggage.
  • Museum and monument entry fees

Itinerary

Days 1 - 2

Overnight flight to Kilimanjaro International airport. On arrival in Tanzania you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Situated in a quiet location in the foothills of Kilimanjaro this is a pleasant and friendly hotel with restaurant and bar.

Day 3

An early start on the first day allows you some time to make any adjustments to your packing before leaving for the park gate. From the gate (1800m) the path climbs with a gradual gradient and a never tiring route in a forest full of flowers. A last ramp leads to the lovely rocky rise and metal constructions of the Machame Hut (3000m). Climb 1200 metres, walking time: 4 to 5 hours.

Day 4

A rather short day although the altitude begins to make itself felt. The path rises with a charming route along a lava ridge that offers splendid views of the Kibo and Meru peaks before crossing a number of clearings surrounded by very high, tree-like heathers. A stony stretch with the odd zigzag leads to the edge of the remarkable lava plateau of Shira. We cross this to our camp (3840 metres) near a large cave. Climb 840 metres, walking time: 4 to 5 hours.

Day 5

This stage, quite tiring at first, explains why hikers starting from Machame suffer the altitude less on the final stage to the Kibo summit. Zigzagging up and down is, on any mountain, the best way to get acclimatised. You start by reaching an enormous solitary rock and then proceed on wide, desolate, stony slopes towards the Lava Tower and the Arrow Glacier Hut.  High up, in the distance are the walls of the Western Breach. Once at the ridge at the base of the Lava Tower (4600m) a rather steep descent leads to the Barranco Hut (3950m), a splendid viewpoint of the Breach Wall and the Heim and Decken glaciers. Climb 760 metres, descend 650 metres, walking time: 7 to 8 hours.

Day 6

A long but spectacular day which gives an ever changing vista of the summit. You start by crossing the valley and scrambling up the Barranco wall by a series of easy rock ledges. Once at the top a broad, rocky ridge traverses around the mountain with wonderful views of the Heim glacier. A short sharp descent past some amazing rock formations leads down into the Karanga Valley (4000m) followed by a short climb to the Karanga campsite.  The final stretch of the approach follows a rocky wind-beaten ridge close under the south flank of Kibo and crosses a large desolate bowl before climbing up onto the obvious ridge to the Barafu Hut (4500 metres) and our camp. Climb 850 metres; descend 200m, walking time: 7 to 8 hours.

Day 7

Leaving our camp just after midnight a good path marked by stones climbs the rocky slopes and into the wide gorge to the right of the Rebmann glacier. A section on the more friable ground (nothing like the screes of Gillman's Point on the normal route) precedes the last slopes, sometimes covered with snow. Once out on the crater at Stella Point (5795m) you continue on round to Uhuru Peak (5895m). To descend, we drop back scree slopes to Barafu for a rest and an early lunch and then continue down for a further four hours to Mweka Camp, delightfully situated in the trees and celebrate! Climb 1295 metres; descend 2795 metres, walking time: 10 to 14 hours.

Day 8

A fully refurbished trail takes you down through the forest to the park gate (1500m) and the bizarre sight of vehicles! After bidding farewell to the guides and porters we transfer you to the hotel where you can get a meal and have a wash and brush up before transferring to the airport to catch an early evening flight home.  Descend 1600 metres, walking time: 3 to 4 hours.

Day 9

Arrive back in the UK.

Insurance

It is essential for a trip of this type that you are adequately insured. When researching insurance options, please ensure the policy covers you for the following:

  • Cancellation or curtailment
  • Helicopter rescue (most insurance companies will no longer cover for ‘search and rescue’ but providing you stay with the group, they will assist with ‘rescue’)
  • Repatriation
  • The altitude that you are expected to attain
  • The location especially when travelling to Antarctica
  • Grade of trek/climb/expedition
  • Medical cover

Adventure Peaks partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading travel protection services. Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, we rely on Global Rescue to provide our clients with medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services. Without a membership, an emergency evacuation could cost over $100,000. More than one million members trust Global Rescue to get them home safely when the unexpected happens. We highly recommend our clients enroll with Global Rescue, in particular for peaks over 7000m:
https://partner.globalrescue.com/adventurepeaks/



We are aware the following provide insurance:

For UK based clients:

Expeditions and Treks under 7000m - Campbell Irvine Direct : http://www.campbellirvine.com/AdventurePeaks

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK) www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
Rothwell & Towler: www.world-first.co.uk Tel: 0345 908 0161 (under 6400m)
J S Insurance: www.jsinsurance.co.uk Tel: 0844 848 1500
Snowcard: www.snowcard.co.uk Tel: 01295 660836
The B.M.C.: www.thebmc.co.uk Tel: 0161 445 6111 (call and speak to Jim. Please note the BMC cannot cover Mt Damavand)
Dogtag: www.dogtag.co.uk Tel: 0800 036 4824 (Check excess etc)

For non-UK based clients:

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK): www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
AXA Worldwide Travel Ins: www.axainsurance.com Tel: +44 (0)844 874 0360
Ingle International: www.ingleinternational.com Tel: (USA) 1.800.360.3234
Insure for Less: www.insure4less.com.au (Australian clients)

You do not have to use any of the above, but if you make your own insurance arrangements documentary evidence of your own policy is required.

Please forward the details of your Insurance as soon as you have it: we need the insurance company’s name, their 24 hour emergency telephone number and your insurance policy number – admin@adventurepeaks.com

Reviews

Jonathan · 5 years ago ·

I had a brilliant experience and loved every minute from when I was picked up from the airport till when I was dropped off. The knowledge of the local guides, and the atmosphere that the porters and other team members created and the stunning views.

Emma A · 6 years ago ·

Everything about this trip was well organised and in the months before departure the staff were always willing to help with any enquiries. I never felt unsure about anything which made the whole experience fantastic.

This trip completely exceeded my expectations, it will stay with me for the rest of my life and Kili will always have a piece of my heart.
The whole trip was extremely well organised. Landing at Kilimanjaro airport, getting our bags and arriving at the hotel was easy and stress free. We arrived at the hotel after 9pm but our English guide Patrick was waiting, he was very welcoming and briefed us about the trek and we got ready for the next day. On the first day we were introduced to our African guides and porters and were driven to the Machame Gate, given lunch and we set off, slowly! It was hard work which I didn't expect, not hard work as in physically demanding but your body knew you were at a higher altitude and made you appreciate the slow pace. We made camp later in the afternoon and the tents were already up, we had freshly made popcorn and tea waiting for us and later on we had a two course evening meal.

Every morning we had omelettes, porridge, sausages, toast for breakfast, I was totally blown away, it was better than what I eat at home! The tents were packed away for us every morning too and every camp we arrived at everything was ready and set up for us, all we had to do was concentrate on getting there. Lava Tower, Barranco Wall, Karanga Valley were all amazing, Barranco being my favourite part. It was amazing scrambling up and had brilliant views. It also broke the trek up nicely and took your mind off the altitude.

The glacier at the top is beautiful, the views are magnificent, the whole experience is overwhelming. I would 100% recommend Adventure Peaks and our guide Patrick to everyone looking at doing this trek, I would go again in a heartbeat! I will be booking my next trip with these guys and I can not wait :)

Chris · 7 years ago ·

Would not hesitate to book through yourselves again...I have found AP a great company to deal with and the communication from booking through to departure has been spot on.

Steve H · 8 years ago ·

The trip was well organised; guides were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful; It was a great experience and one I’d never done before. Overall I really enjoyed the trip, I learnt a lot and I’m looking forward to the next one... I had no problem with the trip information. It was accurate, helpful and covered the important points. I found the walking element of the trip easier than I expected. [In the hotel] the staff were friendly and helpful, bedroom was clean and comfortable and the gardens looked beautiful. Both leaders were extremely good. Knowledgeable, friendly, enthusiastic and helpful. If you have a choice…ask for Jerald and Beatus. A great experience - one I'll remember for many many years.

Paul · 8 years ago ·

Kili Machame October 2016. Arrangements were spot on. I enjoyed the small group, it knitted well.

Christopher · 9 years ago ·

Everything run smoothly and was well organised. You got us to the top. Accurate itinerary and briefing, so we always knew where we needed to be. I thought the Safari was excellent. It was a fantastic lifetime experience I will never forget.

Wayne · 9 years ago ·

Your agent communicated extremely well with us. He informed us of everything we needed to know and then asked for feedback every time. If we needed anything, then your agent would sort it for us.

Tobias · 9 years ago ·

The whole trip was very well organised the choice of hotel in more she was excellent as it is very near the center and well equipped for English-speaking tourists. Food on the mountain was also excellent.

Rowen Bustillo · 10 years ago ·

I have just come back from Kilimanjaro ( Machame route) and would like to express my thanks for such a wonderful and well-organised trek.

The itinerary was clearly laid out, the information comprehensive, the equipment supplied useful, customer service very good - making sure that everyone was in good spirits and making sure any client's worries were settled. All travel connections too, were very efficient. The whole trip was at a very competitive price.

Above all, what made the trip so great was the outstanding quality of the guides and porters. Both guides ( Nicholas and assistant guide Felix) went above and beyond their normal duties to make sure I was always trekking within my comfortable limits and that I got to the summit safely. Nicholas, for example, carried my backpack on the Barranco Wall on a day when I was feeling particularly unwell, and Felix carried extra water supplies for me and made sure I was drinking enough water.
They had an extensive knowledge of the terrain and the landscapes we moved through, so we were learning as well as walking.
These men are true ambassadors for Adventure Peaks and deserve the highest praise.
The porters , although not always hired directly by Adventure Peaks, were the backbone of the trip. Their kindness, courtesy and attention to detail was amazing.
It was five-star service, with the food laid out in style for us each day; everything we could possibly need on the mountain was provided.

Heather · 12 years ago ·

Our leader Dean Beard was excellent with his motivation and communication, he was very approachable. Thanks Dean.

Adrian · 12 years ago ·

Both Matt and I had a fantastic, unforgettable trip. Everything in Tanzania ran very smoothly.

The guy provided by you was excellent-very friendly, supportive and full of information. He and the team worked hard to make the client enjoyable for us. My Safari was also very enjoyable-the 4x4 broke down at one point and definitely needed replacing!

Again, you provided an excellent guide who could not have worked hard on my behalf. We climbed killing not only for personal pleasure but to raise money for charity in Sussex which works in Uganda. A number of my colleagues have said they might like to climb the mountain in the future and I have had no hesitation in recommending Adventure Peaks to them. Thank you for an excellent trip.


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