Enjoy your 7-day Tanzania tour hiking on the scenic Machame Route, traversing numerous ecosystems, and marveling at stunning vistas across Kilimanjaro. Beautiful, inspiring, challenging; little ignites the imagination as much as the iconic mountain. Climbing to epic heights and along the dynamic scenery is an unforgettable experience as you trek to discover the special feeling of standing at 5,895 meters on the roof of Africa.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Machame Camp – Ascending Through Rainforest and Camping Amongst the Giant Heather
Mount Kilimanjaro excites all its visitors. Its snowy peak dominates the landscape, towering over the grassy savannas of East Africa and causing everyone to turn their heads. From a distance the mountain looks imperious. Many people see Mount Kilimanjaro and question whether they are fit enough for the challenge. No specialist climbing skills are required, and you don't need to be an ultra-fit gym addict to reach the summit. However, climbing to 5,895 meters certainly isn't easy. There will be days when your legs really hurt. And there will be times when a lot of determination is required. However, it's achievable for anyone with a sense of adventure and a decent level of physical fitness. If you can spend a long day hiking up and down hills at home, then you're probably fit enough for the challenge. Adrenalin and resolve normally take people the rest of the way.
From Arusha or Moshi, you will be driven to the Machame Park gate, and start your climb on the south-western slopes of the world's highest free-standing mountain. You start at an altitude of 1,800 meters, in an area of dense mountain rainforest. With its carpet of begonias, ferns, and “busy lizzie” flowers, the forest floor keeps eyes entertained as you make your first ascent. After recent rainfall the trail is drenched in fresh smells, flourishing flowers mixing with the clean mountain air. It also brings a muddy trail and some exciting short climbs through the dense vegetation.
Gradually the trail emerges from the trees and you look back down on the thick rainforest. Nestled amongst fields of giant heather, the first camp has a wonderfully gentle and scenic location. You'll have walked for six hours, and the excitement of day one means that the camp almost comes too soon. Don't worry, there is much more to come! So rest up, enjoy the scenery, and savor the wonderfully fresh air at 3,000 meters. Today's vertical ascent is 1,200 meters. As you've got fresh legs, this is the best day to get a long climb out of the way.
This itinerary takes the Machame trail, the most scenic route and the one that offers the best altitude acclimatization. By spending seven days on the mountain, you’ll have shorter daily hikes and more time to enjoy the experience. Each day's hiking is done at your own pace and the guides will alter the morning start times dependent on your speed. Vastly experienced guides assist you all the way, using their intimate knowledge of the route to maximize your enjoyment.
What's Included:
Day 2
Shira Camp – Into the Moorlands and Spectacular Views
Day 3
Barranco Camp – Alpine Desert and the “Garden of the Senicios”
Day 4
Karanga Camp – Exciting Scramble and Unforgettable Views
Day 5
Barafu Camp – Nearing the Summit
Day 6
Mweka Camp – Standing on the Roof of Africa
Day 7
Arusha – Descend to Park Gate
Trip Highlights
- Savor the unbeatable feeling of reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 meters
- Marvel at dramatic landscapes as you climb the world's highest free-standing mountain
- Trek through tropical jungle, beautiful forest, alpine desert, and a snowy wonderland
- Hike through surreal alpine desert that's filled with bizarre rocks and otherworldly plants
- Stare at the views of East Africa's savannas as you circle the summit
- Take the Machame route, the most scenic of Kilimanjaro routes and one that offers excellent altitude acclimatization
- Only carry a day-pack as local porters carry all of your equipment
- Enjoy spacious three-person tents shared by two people, and gaze out onto Africa from perfectly situated camps
Detailed Description
There are few experiences in the world that can match climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. There's the excitement of slowly ascending to the roof of Africa, the beauty of hiking through a pristine landscape, and the inspiring challenge of going for the summit. Then there are the views. Africa extends beneath your eyes, great grassy savannas continuing beyond the horizon. Spectacular alpine desert always brings gasps from hikers, while Uhuru Peak always keeps you company, towering over the camps and offering a stunning vista every morning. But when people remember the adventure of Kilimanjaro, it's the feelings that they recall first. The encompassing serenity as you climb above 4,000 meters, the determination that breathes new life into weary legs as you approach the summit, the ecstasy of standing at 5,895 meters. And finally the feeling of complete happiness that takes months to wipe off your face.
Let's not pretend that climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is easy. The world's highest free-standing mountain requires a sense of adventure and plenty of determination. But it doesn't require any specialist climbing skills or superhuman fitness levels. It's achievable by anyone with a decent level of physical fitness. Resolve and adrenalin normally take you the rest of the way. Maximizing your chances of reaching the summit, this itinerary follows the Machame Route. It's the most scenic of Kilimanjaro's routes and offers seven days on the mountain. That means shorter individual days hiking and excellent altitude acclimatization. You'll ascend through a rainforest, cross open moorlands, hike up and down alpine deserts, and then head for the snow-capped peak on day six.
A team of porters carries all your equipment, while your experienced guides know every step along the trail. Some parts require exciting scrambles; others involve tranquil hikes across a lunar like landscape. Each day is different, and each camp is ideally situated, offering shelter from the weather and unforgettable vistas. Your porters set up the camp and cook filling meals, and this itinerary offers the best possible facilities on the Machame route. By day six the legs feel heavy, but determination and excitement normally push people up the snowy scree towards the summit. Yes, it's tough. But climbing Mount Kilimanjaro galvanizes the body and soothes the soul. And standing on the roof of Africa? You'll discover just how good that feels when you're 5,895 meters high, on top of the world's highest free-standing mountain. It often takes months for people to stop smiling after they return from this vacation.
Since you are in Africa, and if you have time, consider adding a Tanzania safari tour before or after your climb. Also, be sure to read the travel reviews of Tanzania luxury tours for ideas and to hear about other Tanzanian experiences.
Starting Price
$5,200 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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