Kilimanjaro Machame Route (7 Days)

Moivaro Lodge is set on a working coffee plantation on the outskirts of Arusha. Removed from the busy city centre, it serves as a lovely base from which to enjoy the impressive safari and trekking opportunities of East Africa, with good access to Kilimanjaro and the northern safari parks of Tanzania.

You can choose to relax and take in the beautiful vista of Mount Meru from your garden cottage verandah, enjoy a drink at the cosy bar with fireplace, or perhaps just laze at the pool or amid the tropical trees and coffee plants in the gardens.

This evening there will be a climb briefing covering kit, camping arrangements, and what to expect on the mountain (climate, altitude etc), as well as tomorrow’s transfer times. This is a good chance to ask any questions you may have about the coming climb, particularly any concerns regarding kit.

The trail starts with a short walk through the banana and coffee plantations around Machame village, before ascending a ridge through rich montane forest. This is the most densely forested area on the mountain, and the source of much of the mountain’s rainfall. On sunny days, and especially in the dry season, the trail is green and beautiful; but in the wet season it can be a very muddy experience!

We have lunch at a clearing in the forest, and then continue to climb at a steady pace. The trail eases this afternoon, becoming less steep as we leave the rainforest and enter the giant heather zone.

From our camp at Machame Hut (3,000m), we may get our first glimpse of the glaciated dome of Kibo this evening, provided the clouds permit. [5-7 hours walking]

There is a tangible sense of wilderness here (especially when the afternoon mists come in!) and the views of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds, visible from camp, are simply unforgettable. [4-5 hours walking]

At Shira Hut and Barranco Camp (tomorrow’s campsite), the Machame and Lemosho/Shira trails begin to merge, so you can expect a bit more bustle at camp from tonight onwards, particularly in the peak climbing season.

Barranco Camp is only slightly higher than our camp at Shira Huts, but our trek past Lava Tower – with acclimatisation trek to Arrow Glacier – will have taken us over 4,500 metres, offering valuable altitude acclimatisation.

The camp at Barranco is one of the most spectacular on Kilimanjaro, with dramatic views of Kibo. [7 hours walking]

We then continue on a steep ridge to reach Karanga Valley Camp (4,100m), where we have a relaxed afternoon and dinner. [5-7 hours walking]

This afternoon there will be an optional and highly useful acclimatization trek to just below the glaciers, which will allow you to try scree walking, for those members of the group with energy reserves to spare.

After lunch in camp, there will be the option of a short acclimatisation walk to the plateau at the bottom of the South-East valley (4,800m). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent – a very early night tonight. [3-5 hours walking]

Trekking at a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735m) in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time, watching the sun as it rises over Mawenzi.

Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from Stella Point along the crater rim and to Uhuru Peak (5,896m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.

From the summit, the descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite, Millennium Camp (3,820m), on Mweka Route. [11-15 hours walking]

We will be met in Mweka and transferred to Moivaro Lodge for a well-earned hot shower, dinner and rest!

If flying this afternoon or evening, you are welcome to continue to use the lodge facilities after check-out. A day room can also be booked on request for late departures.