The 6-day Machame route is highly recommended for its solid success rate, stunning scenery, and well-paced ascent. With a success rate of over 85%, this route offers a good balance between challenge and achievement. The Machame route showcases a variety of landscapes, from dense rainforests to moorlands and alpine deserts, providing a visually captivating journey. As you make your way up, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The 6-day duration allows for proper acclimatization, with strategically placed campsites along the route. This gradual ascent enhances your chances of reaching the summit and reduces the risk of altitude sickness.
When you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport, Lauwo Adventure staff will be there to welcome you and accompany you throughout your entire Kilimanjaro experience. Your guide will assist you with settling in and provide you with a brief orientation, before driving you to your accommodation for the first night in Kilimanjaro. As a top-ranked Kilimanjaro tour company, we are committed to providing you with exceptional adventure from the moment you arrive.
Upon completion of necessary registration formalities at the Machame National Park gate, the trek begins through a beautiful and lush forest. A picnic lunch is served to all at the national park gate. The first day is relatively challenging due to high altitude but the trails pass through a deep forest and adequate time to acclimatize to the high altitude is offered upon reaching the camp site. The route is the considered the best for understanding one’s body as they gradually adapt to the high altitude. The day ends with setting up camp at Machame campsite.
Hiking time: 6 hours
Max Altitude: 3021m
Vegatation: Montana forest
Meals: Full board
Distance: 11 km
We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily through rocky hills with wide views of the Shira Plateau. From our camp near Shira Hut, we take in the formidable views of Mt. Meru as she floats atop the clouds. The short day hike provides hot lunch in the afternoon at Shira cave and an opportunity for a leisure walk around the camp site in the cool evenings while enjoying the sunsets.
Hiking time: 4-5hours
Max Altitude: 3839m
Vegatation: Moorland
Meals: Full board
Distance: 5.3 km
Experience a morning of gradual ascent and sweeping views of Kilimanjaro which brings us near the Lava Tower (14,900 ft) where we will have lunch. The trail then descends to the bottom of the Barranco wall (12,800 ft), where we will stay in the spectacular Barranco Camp sheltered by towering cliffs with extensive views of the plains far below. Barranco camp offers a spectacular view of Kibo Peak; one of the three faces of Kilimanajrao.
Hiking time: 7-8hours
Max Altitude: 3986m
Vegatation: Moorland
Meals: Full board
Distance: 11 km
Leave Barranco Camp after breakfast for Karanga Valley. The day begins with an hour and a half scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the best part of the trek and also the most challenging part of the day. In some places you may have to use your hands to pull your body up. After reaching the top, hike through fairly level terrain before making a short but steep descent into the greener Karanga River Valley. At Karanga last water point, we will have lunch before continuing with the climb towards barafu base Camp. On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo/s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent Mweka route with the Machame trail. At the Barafu camp site we will have a briefing on the guidelines for the summit night followed by a recommended short nap.
Hiking time: 7 hours
Max Altitude: 5895m
Meals: Full board
Distance: 10 km
Passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area, the descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshments, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite, Mweka Camp. We recommend clients to head down to Mweka camp for quicker recovery from the high altitude.
Hiking time: 4 hours
Max Altitude: 4600m
Meals: Full board
Distance: 11 km
The last day on the descending route will expose you to thick canopy forests characterized by thick undergrowth. The route winds down to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Mweka where our climb of Mount Kilimanjaro ends. This is followed by farewells as we transfer you back to your accommodation in Moshi Kilimanjaro.
Hiking time: 4 hours
Max Altitude: 4600m
Vegatation: forest
Meals: Half board
Distance: 11 km
One can opt for a holiday safari at the white sandy beaches in Zanzibar, local project visits, cultural tours, cycling day tours or an exclusive safari trip.