Kilimanjaro · Machame Route

8 Days Machame Route At Crater

Duration: 8 Days
Route: Machame Route
Price: From $2,200

Tour Overview

The 8 Days Machame Route with Crater Camp is one of the most adventurous ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. It combines the scenery of the Machame Route with a rare night at Crater Camp (5,730m), a cold, icy spot just below the summit.

Crater Camp is the highest campsite on Kilimanjaro. It sits inside the crater of the dormant volcano, near the Furtwangler Glacier. A night here is unlike any other on the climb, and it gives you time to visit the Rebmann Glacier, the Ash Pit and other high-altitude features before you go up to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) the next day.

This route is for experienced high-altitude trekkers who want a harder climb with the best possible acclimatization. Two acclimatization nights, at Barranco and Karanga Camps, help prepare you for the extreme altitude at Crater Camp.

It’s a rare itinerary that brings together a tough climb, beautiful scenery and the chance to sleep just below the Roof of Africa.

Highlights

Take the route that offers a better chance of successful summit
Enjoy great scenery along the way to the top of Africa
Spend a night at Crater Camp during descent

Itinerary

Day 1 Arriving in Tanzania

All trekkers need to organize their own flight to Kilimanjaro international Airport [JRO]. From JRO you will be met by our staff and transferred to Moshi in the peaceful surrounds of our comfortable pre and post trek accommodation from where there are great views of the mountain. You can relax by the pool before your briefing with the Guides, who will provide the essential information for your trek to the roof of Africa.

The Hotel we are using is between these

Parkview Inn Hotel

Panama Garden Resort

Weruweru River Lodge
Day 2 Moshi – Machame Gate (1790m) – Machame Camp (3010m)

You will be picked up at your hotel in the morning after breakfast and head towards Machame Gate which is an easy 45-minute drive from Moshi. At the gate you will be registered by the National Park authorities. Once everything is prepared you can start your trek into the lush rainforest. There is the possibility of spotting some Black-and-White Colobus monkeys on the way to Machame camp, which will take you about 5 to 6 hours to reach. You will spend the night just above the forest line at 3010 meters.

Meals
Lunch &Dinner
Overnight
Machame Camp
Day 3 Machame Camp (3010m) – New Shira Camp (3845m)

Today the trail will be a somewhat steeper than on day one but it’s is a shorter stretch and you should reach your destination by early afternoon. After some rest you have the option to hike further to Shira 2 Camp for beautiful views of the Shira Plateau. Mount Meru, the second highest mountain in Tanzania, can be seen in the distance. The night will be spent at New Shira Camp.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner
Overnight
New shira Camp
Day 4 New Shira Camp (3845m) – Lava Tower (4640m) – Barranco Camp (3960m)

Today you will ascend about 700 meters to the striking and rugged Lava Tower before descending again to Barranco Camp. This will give your body a good chance to acclimatize for the following days as you will reach an altitude of over 4600 meters. The landscape will change dramatically over the course of today as you enter the afro-alpine desert close to Lava Tower and then descend back into the lush, green Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is situated just below the imposing Barranco Wall and is reached after about 6 to 7 hours of trekking. This camp is considered by many to be the most beautiful and scenic on Kilimanjaro. You will be treated to a hearty dinner before getting into your sleeping bag for some well-deserved rest.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner
Overnight
Barranco Camp
Day 5 Barranco Camp (3960m) – Karanga Camp (4035m)

After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than what you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you reach Barafu Hut.

The last water stop on the route is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.

Hiking time
7 hours
Distance
Approximately 13 kilometers
Habitat
Alpine Desert
Accommodation
Camping
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 Karanga Camp (4035m) – Barafu Camp (4640m)

The trail that you will take today passes back through striking alpine desert expanses and leads you to your final camp before the summit hike – the Barafu Camp. This camp will be reached after about 3 to 4 hours and sits at an altitude of 4640 meters. You will have some time to relax before the evening meal is served. After dinner you are advised to get as much sleep as possible before ta testing climb tomorrow

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner
Overnight
Barafu Camp
Day 7 Barafu Camp (4640m) – Crater Camp (5730m)

In the early morning you will start the most challenging part of the ascent as the sun rises. You should reach Stella point, the crater rim of Kibo, after about 5-7 hours of strenuous climbing up the scree and ash paths. From Stella Point you will head towards the highest camp on Kilimanjaro – the Crater Camp – which is situated at an altitude of 5730m. From here there are breath-taking views of the surrounding glaciers.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner
Overnight
Crater Camp
Day 8 Crater Camp (5730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m)

The first sunlight marks the start of your final ascent towards the summit. It will be a slow and arduous 2 hours or so before you reach the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak, which towers above anywhere else in Africa at 5895 meters. From the peak, you will be able to see the surrounding summits, glaciers and landscapes being lit up by the warm morning sun – a truly unforgettable experience. After a short break and the mandatory summit pictures, you will return to Barafu Camp where the rest of the climbing crew will await you. Here you will have some time to rest and a much-needed warm meal will be served. Afterwards, you will continue your descent to Mweka Camp (3080m) which will take you about 3 hours. At Mweka Camp you will have an evening meal followed by a well-deserved deep night’s sleep.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner
Overnight
Mweka Camp
Day 9 Mweka Camp (3080m) – Mweka Gate (1630m) – Moshi

After breakfast you will be invited to take part in the traditional farewell ceremony with your mountain crew before the final leg of your climb leads you back through the lush rainforest. A gentle descent of up to 3 hours takes you to Mweka Gate

Drive back to your hotel in Moshi. Hotel

Depart Tanzania

This day left for your next destination. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to Zanzibar or fly back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.

Meal
Breakfast
Overnight
At Hotel in Moshi
Meals
Breakfast Included
Day 10 Depart Tanzania

This day left for your next destination. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to Zanzibar or fly back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.

Meals
Breakfast Included

Places on This Trip

Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park

Include

Private transport from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
Private transport to Kilimanjaro International Airport ready to catch your flight back home
2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
Private Portable toilet with portable tent for rent $100 shared in a group
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
Park entry fees,
Camping fees
Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees
18% VAT on tour fees & services
4 Season mountain tents
Double layered Sleeping Mats
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
Hot water for washing
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
Government taxes
Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
Emergency first aid kit

Exclude

Lunches, dinners, and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
Travel insurance
Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 100 for the entire trek shared in a group.
Flights
Laundry (Available at hotel)
Personal items and toiletries
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the
Mountain: http://www.kiliporters.org/tipping_recommendations.php
Guides: $20/day/guide
Cook: $15/day
Porter: $10/day/porter

Prices

Price For 10 Days Machame Route Staying In Crater

People in Group	1-2	3-5	6-8	10+
Standard package	$2,442	$2,342	$2,290	$2,200

Prices in US dollars.

Trekking Preparation

Testimonials

What Our Travelers Say About Our Tours

Highly Experienced and Wonderful Crew
The 7 days Lemosho route Kilimanjaro trek exceeded our expectations. The route is so beautiful and we enjoyed tackling the mountain with experienced guides - Bakari and Nickson. They were supportive from start to finish in all the aspects of the trek, starting with the technical strategy on the speed, rests and ensuring that we were healthy through regular checks.
SteveRead on TripAdvisor (Steve’s review)
Absolutely Beautiful Memories For My Family
Traveling with my 6 members of my family of ages between 8 and 73 is always a complex task with many moving parts. We had to arrange for Mama and Poppas dietary restrictions, accommodations, easy access for Mama and off-course places with a pool and kids activities for Lil Poppa and his teenage sister Anna.
Martina_EaghanRead on TripAdvisor (Martina_Eaghan’s review)
Awesome Trekking
My bothers and I shared one of the most incredible experiences in Tanzania as we trekked up Kilimanjaro. Our host Naick of Kilisa Tours & Safaris is the man behind our success.
TobiasRead on TripAdvisor (Tobias’s review)
Fun & Adventure On Our Christmas Vacation
Our safari to Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti with Kilisa Tours and Safaris for exceeded all our expectations in every way. We were impressed by the high standards set right from our pickup at the airport, during the trip to the good byes. Nothing was left to chance as every detail had been well planned for.
MauriceRead on TripAdvisor (Maurice’s review)
The Best Experience Absolutely
We could not have asked for a better experience on Kilimanjaro. Everything about this trip with this local operator was top notch. Starting with the booking with Naick who made it smooth and easy with his timely responses and advice. Payment was easy and they took care of all the logistics that all we had to do was present ourselves at the KIA.
LokiRead on TripAdvisor (Loki’s review)
Hike Mt Kilimanjaro
We have visited Tanzania before, but this was our first time trekking Kilimanjaro. We are truly thrilled with our decision to choose Kilisa Tours & Safaris for our adventure, as they provided exceptional support throughout the trek.
Tephia SRead on TripAdvisor (Tephia S’s review)