8 days, 1 country
This is a budget camping tour
Professional Guide
Considered to be the most beautiful and attractive route up Mount Kilimanjaro compared to other climbing routes, Machame Route is suitable for more adventurous mountain hikers who wish for a more physically demanding climb than what Marangu or Rongai routes has to offer.
Machame route is presently the most common route despite its higher degree of difficulty and climber’s physical exhaustion, so you can expect to not be alone on this route as to ascend to the summit of Kilimanjaro
Pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi town the famous gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. You will have a half Board accommodation at a Base Hotel in Moshi or Arusha where all trekking briefings will take place and final preparation to embark on the journey to the roof of Africa.
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Elevation: 7,742 ft to 9,498 ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Group will leave Moshi to Londorossi Gate, which takes approximately 4 hours, where you will be demanded to complete all official registration and briefings. Afterwards is a drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Once we arrive at trailhead, we start a hike through undisturbed natural forest which winds up to the first camp site Mti Mkubwa.
Distance: 8 km/ 5miles
Elevation: 9,498 ft to 11,500 ft
Hiking Time 5-6 hours
Habitat: Health
We will continue on the trail leading us to a savannah of tall grasses and out of the rain forest, heather and volcanic rock wrapped with lichen beards. As we climb through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we will then reach Shira Ridge then a gentle drop to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first sight of Kibo across the plateau.
Distance: 11 km/ 7 miles
Elevation: 11,500 ft to 13,800 ft
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Heath
We will navigate and explore Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle and less demanding walk to east of moorland meadows towards Shira 2 Camp. Then we will divert from the main trail to Moir Hut, a small used site on the bottom of Lent Hills.
A variety of walks can be done at the surroundings at Lent Hills making this a perfect acclimatization chance for climbers. Shira Plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Trekking from Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Distance: 3 km/2 miles
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We will continue a trek to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. Afterwards we will descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but stunning Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft.
Although on this day you will have begun and end the day at the same elevation, this time spent at higher altitude is very helpful for acclimatization.
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
A day will start by descending into a ravine to the bottom of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we will hike the non-technical but steep cliff, nearly 900 ft. From the highest reaching point of the Barranco Wall we cut across a number of hills and valleys until we arrive at Karanga Valley with a sharp descend. And then just one steep climb we will reach Karanga Camp. This is also a shorter day specifically meant for acclimatization.
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We will depart from Karanga and make way to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We proceed up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. Reaching this point, you will have completed the Southern Circuit, which give you amazing views of the Kilimanjaro summit from many different angles.
We will make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to organize for the summit day. From this camp you will have a perfect view of two Kilimanjaro peaks Mawenzi and Kibo that offers enough motivation for the summit day.
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Descend Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Around midnight, we begin to progressively push to Uhuru peak. This is the most mentally and physically demanding part of the trek. There will be extreme wind and cold at this elevation. We will ascend in the darkness luckily with the moonlight over our heads for several hours while taking short, breaks.
Coming to Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be satisfied with the most magnificent sunrise coming over from Mawenzi Peak. And finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro, the rood of Africa and the crown of Tanzania.
After spending a few moments at Uhuru peak taking all in from the plains of Africa and your triumph, we will descend to Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The track is very rocky and can be quite challenging on the knees using trekking poles will be helpful.
Mweka Camp is located in the upper forest and mist or rain can also be expected in the late afternoon.
Later in the evening, we will gather and enjoy our last dinner on the mountain, telling stories of the grater accomplishments and take a well-deserved sleep.
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
On this last descending day, we will proceed to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates of success. At this lower elevations trails can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we carry on for another hour to Mweka Village. Afterwards you will be transferred back to a hotel in Moshi
EXCELLENTBased on 88 reviewsVerifiedFlavia G2024-08-09Experience of a lifetime I had the most wonderful safari experience, thank you so much Abuu Tanzania Tours! And the guide Hebron was perfect as well. I will always treasure the experience in my heart. Many greetings from Switzerland.VerifiedCharles W2024-07-20Amazing experience! We had the best time exploring Tanzanian safaris with Abuu’s tours! Our guide, Rueben, was especially experienced and made the trip even better. The staff went above and beyond to assist us and we could not have asked for a better experience. 10/10 recommend booking with them and don’t forget your binoculars!VerifiedSofus Hougaard P2024-07-16A wonderful trip where the desire to see the big five fulfilled it The trip was perfect. We had a very good guide who had really good control of many hundreds of animals, and could tell information about them and could find around the 30,000km2. He did everything to make our experience perfect, and ran after the animals we wanted (the Big five(spent a lot of time founding the leopard and found it). The chef was also good and cooked good food, which was taken reference to the customer with allergies and preferences. NB. This isn't Aboo's fault, but the toilet on the camp in the serengeti fight was terrible. It stinks of shit so much I broke several times and there is no soap or toilet paper on the toilets anywhere, so bring itVerifiedShahira H2024-05-11Smoothest and memorable experience at central serengeti! If you want to book the smoothest, easiest, memorable safari tour without any problems, then you should 110% book with Abuu's tour guide! I spent 3 days and 2 nights at central serengeti and from the first day to the last everything was perfect! As for someone who has never traveled to bigger countries my experience was amazing! Abuu fixed our tour guide and he picked us up/dropped us off plus food and accommodation was included for the whole three days!! Our stay was amazing and we got to witness some animals beside our lodging too 🤩! Our tour guide also made sure we saw EVERY animal literally! Some safari cars got stuck in the mud but our driver was so experienced in every corner of the national park, so not once did we get stuck! We also saw a lion and lioness on their honeymoon on our last day which was just something else 😳 😍! This was the best and most memorable experience of all my life and it will hold a special place always in my heart. Because Abuu's tours and safari guide was so easy and smooth I am definitely booking another trip in the near future! Very easy and professional communication, everything will be on time and you will not face any challenges as they have a long experience in tourism.VerifiedAlex2024-01-23Pure Adventure Awesome adventure!! I did 6 days/5 nights and had a great time in the Northern Circuit! Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Arusha NP. All parks are different, there is so much to see! After a few difficulties, everything worked out. Abuu was there in person and always available! As dinner was not included at the last lodge in Arusha, Abuu stepped in at short notice and accompanied us to a local restaurant and invited us. Thank you again!! It was a great experience!VerifiedBritta B2023-12-31Unique The tour was unique and breathtaking. Our guide Ismail was perfect. He explained everything and took our wishes into account. He made our tour perfect. We were picked up on time and everything went smoothly.VerifiedTessa M2023-10-31Day tour + 3 Safari Had a great time with Adam on a Dar es Salaam day tour today. Looking forward to our 3 day Mukumi Safari on Nov 1.VerifiedElsa M2023-10-31Amazing experience Great Safari with Abuu, we opted for 3 days 2 nights, we visited Ngorongoro and Serengeti. Incredible experience, we had the chance to meet the “Big Five” and many other animals. Everything was perfect, an extraordinary driver Timotéo and a cook Bato who prepared us delicious meals during our stay. The choice of hotels was also very good and the cars comfortable. Perfect service and kindness on the program. Thank you very much it was an incredible experience.VerifiedPeter Steffen2023-10-28Travelling to Tanzania? Safely with Abuus!😁 Organizing a safari and Zanzibar trip with Abuus is highly recommended: relatively inexpensive, well organized. Everything went perfectly and last but not least: Ruben was/is an excellent driver and guide!Verifiedsakin b2023-09-182 day safari Ngorongoro and Tarangire It was all very good. Abuu arranged our flights and the Safari of Ngorongoro and Tarangire. Lunch and breakfast were good and the tour guide was knowledgeable. Would recommend for an awesome experience!
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$1,650