Do we support any porters initiative

Very definitely yes. Porters and guides are the life blood of any successful mountain climb. Through our partners in Tanzania we support various charity initiatives including the most important Kilimanjaro Porters Society. This society was registered under the name Mount Kilimanjaro Porters Society on 30th September 2005 as a non governmental organization with a certificate no 13296 under the organization art of the United Republic of Tanzania. The society exists as a shield for porters who are registered under it with the goal of improving the living and working condition of these porters.

When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro on Machame?

There are two distinct trekking seasons during which is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro. They are January-March and June-October. January-March is generally colder than June-October and there is a higher probability of encountering snow on the summit.

What are the temperatures like on Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro is just three degrees south of the equator, so the lower slopes are generally hot and dry reaching 25°C during the day. This quickly dips with each ecological zone however, open heathlands, alpine desert and then, at the summit, categorically Arctic. Temperatures at Uhuru Peak are between -7 to -29°C.

Are there camp grounds on Machame?

Every night stop has an area with drop/toilet facilities, that are designated areas to allow for camping. You will sleep in tents.

What are the toilets like?

This is a popular question. The toilets that are available on the mountain are pretty rudimentary unless you are on Marangu, and are really just a wooden or block building with a hole in the ground (or a 'long drop'). One option though it adds to the cost is to hire a portable toilet. Finally, although there may not be toilet facilities when you really need them during the days trek, we ask that you seek out a 'loo with a view' away from the path, and keep your used paper in a small bag to dispose of later at camp so as to preserve the environment.

What is altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness, also called mountain sickness, is a group of general symptoms that are brought on by climbing or walking to a higher and higher altitude (elevation) too quickly. High altitude is defined as 8,000 - 12,000 feet (2400 - 2600m) above sea level. Altitude sickness can affect anyone who goes to high altitudes without giving the body time to adjust to the changes in air pressure and oxygen level. Symptoms usually come on within 12 to 24 hours of reaching a higher elevation and then get better within a day or two as your body adjusts to the change in altitude. Because Kilimanjaro has a rapid ascent profile ie. 1000m a day, altitude sickness tends to be more common than on some other treks. It is for this reason that taking your time is vitally important and why shorter routes have a lower success rate.

machame

MACHAME ROUTE

Machame Route Kilimanjaro is the most scenic route to climb Kilimanjaro. It also goes by the name of the Whisky route. Machame route is over 6 days but best over 7 days to allow your body to adjust to altitude. It is not as quiet as Lemosho or Shira but is a beautiful scenic route with a higher summit success rate when climbed over 7 days.

This amazing route heads through Machame forest of lichens and loss and tall trees into a scrubland with lobelia and daisy bushes. At the top of Shira Ridge it heads onto the Shira Plateau and then steadily upwards to Lava Tower and into a volcanic desert with large deposits of volcanic rock and grey dust. Glacial ice pours off the summit, stretching ice fingers down to a height of 4800m.

The route then traverses Lava Tower bypassing the old Arrow Glacier route to Barranco Camp descending in altitude under Mt Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Fields. Machame then continues along the southern circuit up Barranco Wall through the Karanga Valley up to Barafu Hut.

Descent is via Mweka route giving you a view of a different side of the mountain.

If you are looking for answers to specific questions, read here or go here to see some of our blog posts

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Google Earth .KMZ file

machame route at a glance

Sleep in tents on the mountain

From 6 trekking days but best done in 7 days

Starts in Machame forest and joins Lemosho and Shira routes

Scenic but steeper approach with good acclimatisation

Summit via Barafu Hut and Stella Point

machame route ITINERARY

Day-1: Meet at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to hotel.

Day-2: Machame Gate (1830m) - Machame Camp (2835m)
Elevation: 1830 metres to 2835 metres
Distance: 18km
Trekking: 5 to 7 hours
Environment: Montane forest

Today after a brief stop in Moshi we drive to Kilimanjaro park entrance at Machame, near the Machame village. Here we complete formalities for trekking permits and then start trekking through the forest. Rain is possible in Machame Forest.

Day-3: Machame Camp (2835m) to Shira Camp 2 (3840m)
Elevation: 2835 metres - 3850 metres
Distance: 9km
5 to 6 hours
Environment: Moorland

You leave Machame camp and climb quite steeply for about an hour. The route then follows a more gentle gradient toward the base Shira Plateau which is actually a the remains of a caldera, or collapsed volcanic crater. Then you traverse up the rocky outcrop before trekking in an easterly direction, to Shira Camp, Shira being one of the three volcanoes of the Kilimanjaro massif.

Day-4: Shira Camp 2 (3840m) to Lava Tower (4640m) - Barranco Huts (3985m)
Elevation: 3840 metres - 3985metres
Distance: 12km
Trek: 6 to 7 hours
Environment: Moorland

Shira camp can be quite cold early morning as you hike away from views of Mt Meru into an arid desert type environment full of lava rock. The route is a steady gentle climb toward Lava Tower. It is not uncommon to start feeling the effects of altitude on Machame Route or any other route with shortness of breath around 4200m. At Lava Tower you break for lunch before descending almost 680m in altitude to Barranco Camp at the base of Barranco Wall. Today you follow the principle of climb high, sleep low.

Day-5: Barranco Huts (3985m) to Barafu Huts (4680m)
Elevation: 3985 metres - 4680metres
Distance: 13 km
Hiking Time: 7-9 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

This morning you start the slow climb up the well known Barranco Wall, bringing you out below Heim Glacier. After taking in incredible views you trek along the route to Karanga Valley which takes you through three ridges and valleys, before coming out at Karanga Camp. This however is not your camp, and you climb another 2-3 hours to a rocky narrow camp, at Barafu. Today is a very long day, but above you, 1345m up is the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Day-6: Barafu (4550m)- Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m)

Elevation: 4600metres to 5895 metres to 3100 metres
Highest: 5895 metres (Summit)
Distance: 30kilometres (7kilometres ascent, 13 kilometres descent)
Trek: 13-16 hours (6 to 8 hours ascent, 7-8 hours descent)
Environment: Stone scree / ice-capped summit

Rising before midnight, you start your climb in a North westerly direction. The route will take you to Stella Point (5685) on Kibo crater rim. It can take anything from 5 - 6 hours and is physically challenging. After a short rest at Stella before trekking to Kilimanjaro summit, another altitude gain of 200m, taking anywhere from 1-2 hours. After basket in a moment of glory at the summit of Kilimanjaro, you hike down to Barafu and then down towards Mweka hut (3100m).

Day-7: Mweka camp (3100m)- Mweka (1980m)
Elevation: 3100 metres to 1800 metres
Distance: 8 kilometres
Trek time: 3 to 4 hours
Environment: Montane forest

This morning is a short 3-hour scenic hike to Mweka. Those climbers who made Stella (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates for your Machame Route climb on Kilimanjaro.

Day-8: Depart
Today you are transferred to Kilimanjaro airport for your flight home.

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bELOW ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED ABOUT KILIMANJARO

Is Kilimanjaro a technical climb?

No. Kilimanjaro is a trekking peak in that you essentially hike or trek to summit. No technical expertise is required, nor use of rope etc. There are sections on the mountain which require a scramble up rocky areas, dependant on which trekking path you follow.

Why is Machame considered steeper than other routes?

The bulk of the volcanic activity for Kibos eruption happened to the west of the mountain making Machame and Umbwe steeper and more rugged.

How difficult is it to climb Kilimanjaro?

The word climb is something of a misnomer as no technical gear is used but considering the altitude gained it is classified as a climb. Any person with moderate hiking skills who is fit and healthy can summit the mountain.

However, the summit night can be hard going as you ascend 1500m in anything from 5.5 to 9 hours. Apart from that, after the summit you need to descent 3000m in 16-18 hours making it challenging. So while you don’t need to be a super athlete or have prior cli,bing experience it is important to be active and committed to training prior to the climb.

How long is the Machame Route?

Kilimanjaro Machame route is approximately 62 km/ 37 miles from gate to gate. Most trekkers complete the Machame Route in seven days; however it can be done in 8 and 9 day variations. The 8-day Machame variation is great for acclimatisation and increases the probability of success. The nine day route stops for a night at both Lava Tower and Karanga Camps.

Will we have access to fresh running water at camps?

There are several streams on the trail and porters will collect water from them. The cook then boils this water for you to fill you water bottles for your days hike. You can also use purifier tablets in stream water or add it to your boiled water however it can also have an effect on the diamox and make you feel nauseous. The higher you climb the less water there. On the Machame trail, for example, the last water point is at the Karanga Valley, the lunch-stop before Barafu; on Marangu, it’s just before the Saddle. For this reason it is essential that you carry enough bottles for at least two litres.

Is Machame a busy route?

Generally speaking crowds are determined by the time of year. Machame is less busy than the cheaper and shorter Marangu route. It is also a steeper route so is a deterrent for those wanting a less strenuous climb. The camps can be busy but this does not mean you will be hiking up other peoples heels. This only happens on summit night when all of the routes converge and before that, on Baranco Wall. However, you only need one large group on the mountain with you to make it feel busy. On top of that from Lava tower onwards you're on the Machame route and so busy it will become busier from then on.

When is the best time or months to climb Kilimanjaro?

The warmest months with the clearest trekking days, are from mid to late December, January, February, September and October. The rains often come in April and the start of May with the possibility of some snow. June through to August are superb trekking months, though evening temperatures tend to be colder. The wettest months are November and early December, where snowfalls are likely. Note however, that as this is a mountain it is not impossible to get sporadic snow or rainfall at odd times throughout the year, although the snow normally only falls above 4800m.

Which is the best route to follow to climb Kilimanjaro?

There are 7 summit routes; namely, Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe and Machame. Of all the routes, Machame is by far the most scenic albeit steeper route up the mountain. The Rongai is the easiest camping route and the Marangu is also easier but accommodation is in huts. As a result, this route tends to be very busy and ascent and descent routes are the same. Both of the latter have lower prospects to acclimitise by the climb high sleep low principle unless one adds on extra days. The Northern Circuit, approaches Kibo from the west, crossing the caldera of Shira Volcano before turning north to follow the trail through Moir Valley and around the northern side of Kilimanjaro.

The Shira, Lemosho and Machame all meet up before Lava Tower (day three), and then with Umbwe at Baranco Camp (end of day three). Marangu, Rongai and Northern Circuit all meet up at Kibo Huts.

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How bad is the Barranco Wall?

The Barranco wall is along the Machame Route, Shira Route, Lemosho Route and Umbwe Route. Is it a “wall” – well no it is not, in the sense that a wall is pretty much vertical which Barranco is not. It consists of a rocky path that zig zags up the rock section of the mountain. Yes it is steep, let us not deny that fact, but do-able? Definitely!

The wall itself is only 843 ft tall (257 meters) so in terms of distance, it could certainly not be classified as endless. It is a climb? Once again, no it is not.

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How will the altitude affect me on Kilimanjaro?

This is a really difficult one to answer directly - "how will I cope with the altitude". To be honest, this is an ' unknown' factor as no-one can predict how your body will cope at altitude. People who have been to altitude many times in the past without problems, may on one climb suddenly develop problems. There are many factors that play a role. The only way to help combat this, is to take all of the necessary precautions, and walk slowly, pole pole. Choosing a path like Machame where you get to follow the principle of "climb high, sleep low" is also advisable.

How hard is it to hike to Everest Base Camp compared to Kilimanjaro?

Most people think Everest Base Camp is higher than Kilimanjaro but surprise surprise, it is not. Base camp of Everest (or rather Kala Pathar – the little hill you climb up above base camp) is actually 5545m, whereas Kilimanjaro summit is 5895m.

People also think it is a tougher hike than Kilimanjaro, but Kilimanjaro is actually regarded as tougher by those who have done both.

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How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?

The Kilimanjaro National Park fees are something that nobody can escape and are a large portion of your climb cost. For a six day/five night camping trek you pay about $800 in fees alone! So on average a climb will cost you between $1450 and $2800 depending on the number of days, number of people and the route that you take. There are some operators who will quote you $1000 for a trek - ask yourself, what are they skimping on and who is going to suffer as a result. You? Your safety? The porters?

Where can I get climbing Insurance for Kilimanjaro?

If you are going hiking or climbing or trekking then you need extra cover for your activities. Hiking and Climbing have become popular for many adventure seekers looking to add a climb up Kilimanjaro or a trek to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna or even Island Peak to their list of amazing adventures. But any climb to high altitude carries with it a number of risks and having the correct and good trekking insurance is an absolute must. We recommend two different groups depending on whcih contry you reside in. For further details, click on the icon

MACHAME

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