Kilimanjaro Machame Route Luxury climb
OVERVIEW
This itinerary takes you on an unforgettable adventure, beginning with your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where our friendly team will greet and transfer you to your Luxury Hotel. At the hotel, you’ll enjoy a delicious meal and receive a comprehensive pre-trek briefing from our experienced team to help you prepare for the journey ahead.
Our premium Kilimanjaro Climbing goes beyond the ordinary, offering an advanced meal plan during the hike, spacious high-quality tents, portable private toilets, Portable shower tents, comfortable camping cots, and other thoughtful upgrades for luxury-focused climbers. Pre and post-climb accommodation in 5-star hotels in Arusha. Safety is a top priority. Your climb will be led by highly professional and recommended guides, equipped with oxygen cylinders, medical kits, and compulsory medical check-ups every morning and evening to ensure your well-being.
The trek begins with a scenic drive from Moshi to Machame Camp, passing through lush rainforests before ascending to higher altitudes. As you progress, you’ll traverse diverse landscapes from the moorlands of Shira Camp to the rocky trails around Lava Tower and Barranco Camp. With plenty of time to acclimatize, you’ll be supported by our expert team to ensure comfort, safety, and success.
- Price per person
Kilimanjaro Machame Route
1 Person
Price From
$ 4,950
Per Person
2-5 Persons
Price From
$ 4,512
Per Person
6-10 Persons
Price From
$ 4,446
Per Person
11+ Persons
Price From
$ 4,330
Per Person
Detailed Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our attentive driver will be waiting to greet you, holding a sign with your name, and will extend a warm and welcoming reception. From there, you’ll experience a smooth and comfortable transfer to the Hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, you’ll be treated to a delicious meal to help you relax and refresh after your journey. Later, our experienced mountain coordinators and guides will meet with you for an informative pre-trek briefing, offering an exciting glimpse into the incredible adventure ahead.
Immerse yourself in the serene ambiance of the Hotel, featuring a beautiful garden, a relaxing swimming pool, a bar, and a restaurant, creating the perfect environment for unwinding before your expedition begins.
Accommodation Option: Grand Melia or Similar
Overnight: Gran Melia Hotel (with lunch, dinner & breakfast) or similer
After enjoying breakfast and a briefing at your hotel, you’ll set off on a 45-minute journey from Moshi to the Machame Park Gate. Upon arrival, the registration process will be completed, and you’ll receive your packed lunch. The adventure begins with your ascent through the vibrant rainforest, where the path may become muddy and slick if there has been recent rainfall. The trek to Machame Camp spans roughly 11 kilometers and usually takes around six hours. In the evening, porters will prepare hot water for drinking and washing, while the cook will serve up dinner. As night falls, temperatures may drop close to freezing, so you’ll settle into your tent for a cold but fulfilling night’s rest.
Altitude: 910 m – 3,000 m
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 6 hours time
After enjoying breakfast at Machame Camp, you’ll set off towards Shira Camp, covering about 5 kilometers in a journey that typically takes 4 to 5 hours. The trail begins with a steep ascent through the scenic moorland zone, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking views as you climb. As you near Shira Camp, you’ll walk along a ridge offering spectacular vistas of the surrounding landscape. Upon arrival, the porters will set up your tents and prepare lunch for you. You’ll have the afternoon to relax and acclimate to the altitude before dinner, followed by a briefing from your guide on the next day’s trek.
Altitude: 3,000 m – 3,840 m
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
After breakfast at Shira Camp, you’ll set off on a demanding trek to Lava Tower, ascending to an altitude of 4,630 meters. This hike spans approximately 11 kilometers and typically takes around 7 to 8 hours, featuring rocky, semi-desert terrain. Along the way, take in the panoramic views during your lunch stop at Lava Tower. Afterward, you’ll descend to Barranco Camp, situated at 3,960 meters. This descent lasts about 2 hours and offers stunning vistas of the Western Breach. Upon reaching Barranco Camp, the team will set up your tents and prepare dinner for you. In the evening, your guide will provide a briefing about the next day’s trek, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the adventures that lie ahead.
Altitude: 3,840 m – 4,630 m – 3,960 m
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 7–8 hours
Start your day early with a wake-up call, followed by a hearty breakfast to energize you for the trek ahead. You may encounter the renowned Barranco Wall, a steep ascent that offers a rewarding challenge. Once you’ve conquered the Wall, you’ll make your way down into the picturesque Karanga Valley, celebrated for its lush greenery and stunning views. Upon arrival at the Karanga campsite, the porters will set up your tents while our chef prepares a delicious lunch.
After your meal, you’ll undertake an acclimatization hike toward Barafu Camp, gaining an elevation of 200 meters before returning to your campsite. In the evening, savor a warm dinner crafted by our chef. Following your meal, your knowledgeable guide will provide a briefing on the next day’s trek, outlining the route, anticipated challenges, and essential details to help you prepare.
Altitude: 3,960 m – 4,035 m
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 5 hours
Begin your day with an early wake-up call and a substantial breakfast to prepare for your trek to Barafu campsite. The trail presents diverse terrain, featuring rocky patches and gentle inclines, all while showcasing stunning views of Kilimanjaro’s high-altitude scenery. As you ascend, prioritize acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness.
Upon your arrival at Barafu, our porters will take care of setting up the camp while the chef prepares a nourishing lunch. After your meal, take some time to relax until dinner. In the evening, your guide will provide a detailed briefing regarding the forthcoming summit attempt, discussing the route, potential challenges, safety protocols, and necessary preparations. Be sure to rest well, as the summit ascent is scheduled to begin late in the evening.
Altitude: 4,035 m – 4,640 m
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 5 hours
You’ll begin your ascent around 11:30 PM, starting with some tea and biscuits to fuel your energy. As you head northwest, you’ll navigate through scree on your way to Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour trek to Stella Point (5,685 meters) is often considered the most mentally and physically demanding section of the climb.
Once you reach Stella Point, take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking sunrise, conditions permitting. From there, you’ll continue on a snow-covered path for an additional 2-hour climb to Uhuru Peak. Be mindful of your time at the summit, as weather conditions may dictate the duration of your stay. It’s essential not to linger too long due to the cold and the fatigue you’ll experience.
The descent to Barafu takes approximately 3 hours, where you’ll have a brief rest before continuing to Mweka Camp for dinner and your overnight stay.
Altitude: 4,640 m – 5, 895 m – 3,090 m
Hiking distance: 17 km
Hiking time: 15+ hours
After enjoying breakfast at Mweka Camp, you’ll begin your descent to Mweka Gate, where a vehicle will be waiting to take you back to the hotel. There, you’ll be greeted with a hot lunch and a refreshing shower, the perfect way to unwind after your trek.
After your journey, tipping the team is encouraged and appreciated; special envelopes for this purpose will be available at the hotel. If you’re interested in extending your adventure with a safari, you can meet with our safari coordinator at the hotel. After a short break to relax, the coordinator will provide a briefing on the various Tanzania safari options available. We highly recommend booking a safari with us to fully experience Tanzania’s breathtaking wildlife and natural beauty, ensuring your journey is truly unforgettable.
Accommodation Option: Sal Salinero hotel or Similar
Altitude: 3,090 m – 1,650 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure. If you’re looking to extend your adventure, consider adding a day trip to your itinerary, allowing you to explore nearby attractions or immerse yourself in local culture. For further details, please check our Day Trip page.
Alternatively, you can continue your journey by visiting the stunning island of Zanzibar. Whether you’re seeking relaxation on pristine beaches or diving into the island’s rich cultural heritage, Zanzibar has something for everyone. Explore our Zanzibar Holiday page to discover the perfect package for your next trip. If you’re interested in adding a safari experience, please visit our Safari page for more information on our exciting safari options.
Travel Information
Destination Location
Mount Kilimanjaro is located three degrees south of the equator in Northeastern Tanzania. It is the tallest mountain in Africa and is the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Of the famous highest seven peaks in the world, this is the easiest to get to and the easiest to climb. It requires no technical climbing experience, and any moderately fit person can summit the mountain.
Is This Trip For You?
If you arrive at the Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. We recommend at least one rest day before starting your trek. If you are transferring from Nairobi, this can act as your rest day. If you have time, enjoy a guided walk through the local rice fields and rainforest, do a little shopping in the town of Moshi, relax at the swimming pool, or get a massage.
Your guide will provide a briefing the evening before your trek, and you must separate one bag for the trek from your other luggage. Rental equipment is available. Extra luggage can be stored in a locked storage room at your Moshi hotel at no charge.
The next morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast before last-minute trip preparations at the trekking office. Depending on the route you take, the drive to the trailhead can take up to one hour and can be very bumpy.
Once you reach the park gate, climbers are requested to make their final preparations for the climb and sign the national park registration book. Porters will be seen arranging their packs containing the food, water, and other equipment. Make sure that you have all your day pack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. Your guide will be pleased to assist with any additional information.
The average hiking day begins between 8-9am and is about 5 to 6 hours, walking very, very slowly. The distances you will hike each day are very moderate so as to acclimate a little at a time. Your guides will repeat over and over, "pole pole" (po-ly, po-ly), which means "go slowly" in Swahili.
The terrain lower down is absolutely gorgeous and fascinating. Higher up, the views are vast. There is little to do at the camps themselves, so take advantage of the slow pace to absorb the scenery and take every photo opportunity.
The hike to the summit starts around midnight depending on your route and speed of your group. You will go as high as you feel fit. Some people stop at the crater rim, and others continue to the very highest point on the mountain. Your guides will then take you down as quickly as possible to minimize any altitude problems. You will continue past your last campsite to the next one for overnight.
You can add an extra day at the Horombo Huts (3,690 m/12,100 ft). You can spend a full day and a second night at Horombo. On this day, you can either rest at the huts or take a stroll up to the Mawenzi basecamp then return to the Horombo Huts. This extra day will help your acclimatization, and further your understanding of the mountain’s weather and altitude. After your pause, you will continue up to the Kibo Huts on your fourth day for your midnight start to the summit.
Travel Companions
Groups are limited to 5-7 people. We will combine groups up to this limit if they are starting the same route on the same day. However, we can also arrange for private groups at no extra cost. We will try to add single travelers to a group if at all possible, but we cannot guarantee it. We can accommodate large groups of any size.
Guide(s)
A local guide is required to hike Kilimanjaro. We have guides that speak English, Spanish, French and German. Porters will also go on the trip to carry your luggage, food, and other equipment. You will only have to carry a day pack with your daily essentials.
Tips for guides and porters on Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru:
- You will be given an envelope at the Springlands Hotel after your trek for your tip money. You can use U.S. dollars, Euros, TZ shillings, or a combination of these. It helps if you have small bills to tip everyone individually. There is no need to take money on the mountain with you.
- The typical tip is $15/day for guides, $10/day for assistant guides and cooks, $7/day for porters. This is from the whole group, not per hiker.
- Expect 1 guide per 8 hikers, 1 assistant guide per 3 hikers, and 1 cook per 8 hikers:
- Expect porters as follows:
- 2 porters per hiker on the 5-day Marangu Route (minimum of 4 porters)
- 3 porters per hiker on a 6 or 7-day trek (minimum of 5 porters)
- 4 porters per hiker on the 8-day Lemosho Route (minimum of 8 porters)
- Sometimes extra porters are required based on the weight of your luggage. - Budget $200 per hiker for tips for a 6-day trek.
- Gifts: Guides and porters also appreciate your warm clothing, shoes, and packs. You may want to bring some older clothing items for this purpose.
Celebration: You are also welcome to invite your guides back to the Springlands Hotel for drinks and/or dinner (on you) as a thank-you in addition to their tip.
Transportation
With the exception of airfare, all Zara trips include all transportation costs and arrangements within the destination country. This includes all transfers and the equipment for all activities listed.
Money
The local currency is Tanzanian shillings. U.S. dollars, Euros, and credit cards may be accepted by larger stores and hotels, but the exchange rate is better with shillings. ATM's are only available in larger towns like Moshi and Arusha. Yahoo Currency Converter.
Kilimanjaro Climber’s Packing List Notes
- The pack that the porters carry is limited to 15 kg (35 pounds)
- Overweight or extra luggage will require an extra porter at $5/day
- Store electronics in sealed water-proof bags (double sealed if possible)
- Wrap clothing in plastic bags
- In the day pack, take along water, sunglasses, camera, binoculars, rain pants, and jacket at a minimum.
Add any other items you might need during the day, since you may not see your porters until the end of the day. - Zara Tours is interested in purchasing second-hand gear for rentals.
- You may want to bring some older items of warm clothing as gifts for your guides and porters or donations to the Mount Kilimanjaro Porters Society.
- You can leave extra luggage in a locked storage room at the Springlands Hotel for no charge.
- You can leave valuables in a safe deposit box at the Springlands Hotel for $1/day.
- See the Zara Equipment list for details on what is provided by Zara Tours.
Baggage
- Day pack, for you to carry
- Large duffel bag or backpack, for porters to carry
- Plastic bags
Clothing You want your inner layer to be wicking – no cotton
Your next layer should be insulating and warm, and your top layer should be water proof but breathable.
You will need clothes for hiking during the day, lounging in the evening, and for sleeping.
Layers are important as temperatures vary greatly.
Kilimanjaro may be near the equator, but it gets cold up there!
- Shorts, for first and last day only
- Pants, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings
- Short-sleeved or t-shirts
- Long-sleeved shirts, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings
- Long underwear
- Fleece jacket or wool sweater
- Fleece pants
- Down jacket or ski parka (for temperatures well below freezing plus wind)
- Rain jacket, needed in hot rainforest and cold snow
- Rain pants, needed in hot rainforest and cold snow
- Underwear
- Sport bras, for women
Cold Weather Accessories
- Mittens and/or gloves (waterproof, one thin pair, one thick pair that can be layered)
- Wool or pile hat
- Balaclava or neck gaitor
- Hand and foot warmers (chemical activated)
Footwear
- Be sure to break in your shoes before the hike!
- Trekking shoes for hiking during the day, preferrably warm, waterproof, and with ankle-support – not too light and not too heavy
- Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the evening
- Gaiters
- Hiking socks for warmer conditions
- Wool socks for colder conditions
- Sock liners to wick away moisture
Sleeping
- Sleeping bag (Rated -25 degrees C/-10 degrees F or colder is recommended)
- Sleeping pad and repair kit
- Tents are supplied by Zara at no charge
- Foam sleeping pads are provided by Zara at no charge (Thermarest is highly recommended, however)
Other
- Water bottles and Camelback (2-3)
- Get 3 liters of bottled water before the trip (available at the Springlands Hotel).
Your guides will boil water for you along the route, or use steripens for water sanitization. - To prevent water from freezing on summit day, keep your water source inside your jacket.
For Camelbacks, blow air back into the bladder after each sip and drink often. - Gatorade or other drink mix helps with taste and minerals.
- Get 3 liters of bottled water before the trip (available at the Springlands Hotel).
- Water filter or iodine purification tablets
- Sun hat with brim
- Sunglasses
- Bandana
- Money ($400 or more in cash and/or travellers cheques, including some small <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region>, Euro, or Tanzanian bills)
- Ski or trekking poles
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Camera, film, tripod
- Video camera, tapes
- Batteries
- Bring extra sets for headlamp/flashlight and camera as cold weather shortens their life
- Binoculars
- Notebook, journal, pencil, and pen
- Pocket knife
- Electricity adapter
- Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods
- Playing cards, games, books, frisbee, football, kite
- Chocolate or pens for village children, momentos for guides, porters, and other climbers
- Umbrella, particularly useful in the rainy season, can be purchased in the market for around $2
- Plastic bags and zip-lock bags for waterproofing
- Sewing kit
- Salt, pepper, and spices for bland food
- Business cards
- Alarm clock
- Calculator (for currency conversion)
- Swim suit for hotel swimming pool
Toiletries
- Toilet paper (and baggie to carry used paper while on trail)
- Small towel
- Soap
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Handi-wipes (moist towelettes for cleaning)
- Hand sanitizer
- Lotion
- Glasses, contacts, solution (take contacts out each night to prevent blurred vision)
- Comb, mirror
Documents
- Passport
- Yellow fever certificate
- <st1:country-region w:st="on">Tanzania</st1:country-region> Visa
- Medical insurance
- Address book
- Vaccination records
- Airline tickets
- Cash, travellers cheques, credit cards
- Maps, guidebooks
- Make copies of passport, TZ visa, airline tickets/schedule, and travellers cheques numbers.
Leave a copy with someone at home and put a copy in a separate place in your luggage.
First Aid
- Ibuprofin, Aceteminophen, or Aspirin
- Throat losenges
- Bandaids
- Moleskin
- Sunscreen (SPF 15+)
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Disinfectant, Antiseptic cream
- Bandages and tape
- Diahrea medicine
- Antihistemines
- Ace bandage
- Melatonin (1-3mg) or other sleep aid
- Malaria pills (talk to your doctor)
- Antibiotics (talk to your doctor)
- Prescription drugs (talk to your doctor)
- Diamox (talk to your doctor)
Gifts for Guides, Porters, Locals
- Shoes
- Any warm clothing
- T-shirts
- Hats
- Nerf football, frisbees
- Candy
- Pens
Packing for your flight to Africa
- U-shaped neck pillow (blow-up)
- Books/magazines
- Toiletries
- Snacks
- Water
- Walkman and music
- Eye shades, ear plugs
- Melatonin or other sleep aid
- Critical climbing gear (in case baggage is delayed)
Springlands Hotel
Pembo Road
Moshi
Tanzania, United Republic of
The following locations are available:
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| Destination: | Tanzania | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Skill Level: | Intermediate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cancellation of a booking or failure to join a tour will result in a retention of funds by ZaraTours Inc. as follows: Upon receipt of written cancellation by any member of the tour indicated on this reservation 30 days or longer prior to departure, 20% of the reservation of the canceling party will be retained by ZaraTours and the balance of the package price refunded. If a cancellation is received at least 14 days and up to 29 days prior to departure, 50% of the package price will be retained by ZaraTours Inc.
If a cancellation is received less than 14 days prior to departure, 100% of the total package price will be retained by ZaraTours Inc. and all outstanding payment will become payable immediately. Should the canceling party be able to find a replacement for themselves no less than 14 days prior to departure and the replacement completes this booking form individually, no retention of funds will take place.
However, should no replacement be found by 14 days prior to departure, a 100% cancellation penalty will apply to the canceling party. ZaraTours Inc. and its agents reserve the right to terminate, at their discretion and with immediate effect, the participation of any person on the tour.
Payment:
- A 20% deposit is due at time of reservation.
- Final payment is due 60 days prior to arrival.
- We accept Visa, AMEX, and Mastercard.
- You can also wire transfer your money directly to our bank.
- Please review our Cancellation Policy.
Price Increases:
- Price increases are permitted when an itinerary is changed at the request of customer(s)
- Prices will remain quoted unless otherwise add-ons and or other changes are requested and availed by customer(s) and such requests are provided by Zara Tours Inc.
Forms and Other Documents Required by all Passengers:
- VISA (as detailed below)
- All passengers must sign the waiver form and return to us.
- Your passport must be valid for six months.
- Entry to another country may be refused even if the required information and or travel documents are complete
VISA:
- Visas can be obtained upon arrival at Dar es Salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar International Airport and the border posts of Namanga, Tunduma, Taveta and Holili.
- All Canadian Citizen who hold Canadian Passports are required to pay US$50.00 for the purpose of obtaining an ordinary VISA.
- All United States Passport holders are required to pay US$100.00 for the purpose of obtaining an ordinary VISA.
- All Passport holders with EU Citizenship are required to pay US$50.00 or €50.00 for the purpose of obtaining an ordinary VISA.
- For additional information on obtaining a VISA to Tanzania please go to https://www.zaratours.com/resources/
Living Standards:
- Living Standards and practices at the destination and the standards and conditions with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodation may differ from those found universally.
Insurance:
- In order to obtain travel Insurance coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage loss and or other travel insurance related matters, kindly follow the link to reach World Nomads, who provide such insurance coverage services
Cancellation Policy:
- Zara Tours Cancellation policy applies to the package offered, upon payment of deposit and confirmation of reservation.
Cancellation of booking or failure to join a tour will result in retention of funds by Zara Tours as described below:
- Upon receipt of written cancellation by any member of the tour indicated on this reservation 30 days or longer prior to departure, 20% of the reservation of the cancelling party will be retained by Zara Tours and the balance of the package price refunded.
- If a cancellation is received at least 14 days and up to 29 days prior to departure, 50% of the package price will be retained by Zara Tours.
- If a cancellation is received less than 14 days prior to departure, 100% of the total package price will be retained by Zara Tours and all outstanding payment will become payable immediately.
- Should the cancelling party be able to find a replacement for themselves no less than 14 days prior to departure and the replacement completes this booking form individually, no retention of funds will take place. However, should no replacement be found by 14 days prior to departure, a 100% cancellation penalty will apply to the cancelling party.
- Zara Tours and its agents reserve the right to terminate, at the discretion and with immediate effect, the participation of any person on the tour.
Refund Processing Fee:
- While processing a refund, a 3% credit card fee is charged to the client's Visa, AMEX, or MasterCard.
- When a refund is processed using a Bank Wire payment, bank charges apply.
Disclaimer of Liability:
Kindly check the details of your trip. Please contact us directly for any questions you may have at zara@zaratours.com or at 1-866-550-4447.
Thank you for choosing Zara Tours and you are most welcome again to adventure with us!
TICO Registration No. 50020519
Package Includes and Excludes
- Two nights accommodation at the Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha or Similar, double or triple occupancy (before and after the climb)
- First night includes breakfast
- Last night includes dinner & breakfast
- Qualified guides with mountain crew
- National park fees
- Hut/camping fees and tents
- Tents foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and (Cutlery / Crockery) eating utensils.
- Rescue fees (required by the National Park)
- Pulse oximeters
- First aid kit
- Guides, porters, cook, waiter salaries
- Boiled water on the mountain
- Airport transfers (JRO – Kilimanjaro International Airports)
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation and entry fees on the mountain
- Single rooms supplement at Springlands Hotel.
- Guides, Porters, Cook & Waiters tips
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Mountain equipment (eg sleeping bags)
- Gear for your climb, Some equipment is available for rent. See our rental price list.
- Car Supplement USD$145 per car for clients who go through Lemosho/Rongai/Shira Routes
- Items of personal nature (expenses)
- Emergency Oxygen
- Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included
- Extra activities (waterfall tour, cultural village visit).
- Visa fees & travel insurance.
- Flight tickets.
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