Hike Mt. Kilimanjaro in 7 Days on Machame Route
From $2000
Mount Kilimanjaro
This mountain is magnificent, a true beauty towering Africa at 5895m (19341ft) tall. Kilmanjaro welcomes you to it’s Gates diversified by rain forests and heather’s, slopes and hills, which is also dormant volcano capped with glacier above the clouds.
With the name originating from Swahili and meaning ‘Mountain of Greatness’, it is full of myths and mystery.
Unlike other mountains around the world, Kilimanjaro does not require any technical knowledge in mountaineering, which also means that you do not need climbing gear to reach the top. Average duration of the walks each day varies between 4 and 8 hours, at a very slow pace, as we like to say in Kiswahili ‘polepole’.
There are 6 routes to choose to climb Kilimanjaro and required number of days, depending on your experience and overall shape in which you wish conquer Uhuru Peak. We will help you design a route best suitable to your needs.
Machame Route
This route is also known as the 'Whiskey' route. It is the most popular camping route on Kilimanjaro, and it takes six to seven days to reach the summit. The Machame route has a high success rate in reaching the summit. About 85% of climbers successfully reach the summit because they climb high and sleep low, which helps with acclimatization.
Lemosho Route
This route is known to be the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro. It is our favorite route because it offers the perfect balance between low traffic, scenic views and high success rates (over 80%). This route, unlike the Machame route which just intersects the Shira Plateau, crosses the entirety of the plain from the west to the east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. The acclimatization is also great because it takes 7 to 10 days to climb using this route.
Marangu Route
This route is known as the 'Coca-Cola' route, and it is a classic trek on Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest and most well-established route. This rote is a favorite for many people because it is considered to be the easiest route on Kilimanjaro seeing as it has a gradual slope. This route is also the only one that offers sleeping huts with dormitory-like accommodation. The minimum number of days required for this route is five days, but six are recommended to increase summit success rates due to better acclimatization.
Rongai Route
This is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the North, close to the Kenyan border. It is one of the easiest routes on Kilimanjaro, and it joins with Marangu route at Kibo Hut. The minimum number of days required for this route is six days but seven days are recommended. The scenery on Rongai roué is not as varied as the western routes, but it makes up for it by passing through the true wilderness for days before reaching the Marangu route. It is a moderately difficult route and is highly recommended for people who have little or no hiking experience.
Umbwe Route
This route has a minimum of five days to trek, but six are recommended. The five-day route should only be used by very experienced hikers who are confident in their ability to acclimatize. The summit is reached through the Western Breach or Barafu Camp. If you choose Barafu camp, you will join the Machame route at Barranco camp. This route has beautiful views, stunning landscapes, and exciting climbs. The Western Breach route through Arrow glacier is quieter, but it is also more challenging. Going down the mountain from this route is through the Mweka route which follows a steep descent down to Barafu camp where climbers can rest briefly before going down an ever-changing scenery towards the Mweka Huts and the route off Kilimanjaro.
Shira Route
The Shira route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west and is almost identical to the Lemosho route. Climbers begin their hike at 3500m on the first day and spend their first night on the same elevation at Shira Camp 1. This route then joins the Lemosho route and follows the southern circuit route. At Shira Camp two, the route joins the Machame route. It is one of the longest routes to the summit, and it takes a minimum of seven days to complete the climb.
Our Kilimanjaro Routes
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking Kilimanjaro
The key to comfortably trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro is packing layers. Pack moisture-wicking base layers, a heavy down jacket for the summit, and waterproof pants, socks, and hiking boots. You should also consider the gear you’ll need, like trekking poles, a headlamp with extra batteries, high-SPF sunscreen, a 2-3 liter hydration bladder, and sunglasses.
While you don’t need technical mountaineering experience, you do need stamina to hike Kilimanjaro. You’ll spend 4-7 hours a day on varying terrain. To help you prepare for your hike, consider cardio training, hill walking, and strength conditioning before departure. Keep in mind the altitude is what will be the hardest to get used to. Bless Africa’s guides are First Aid trained and also know how to check for signs of altitude sickness.
At Bless Africa, our team carries a comprehensive medical kit that includes bottled oxygen, medical supplies, and a portable stretcher. In addition, we include daily personalized health checks and acclimatization protocols to make sure everyone is feeling their best. We are trained to handle emergency situations.
Expect to rise early with hot drinks and breakfast with your local guides. After packing up your stuff for the day, we start treeking Kilimanjaro, aiming for a slow but steady pace. We take breaks for lunch and plan to reach the next camp by late afternoon, giving you time to unwind, relax, and enjoy dinner together. Be sure to get to bed early too, as rest is crucial for acclimatization!
That depends on your goals! There are six routes to choose from. The Machame Route is the most popular because it has a high success rate for reaching the summit because hikers “climb high and sleep low,” making the altitude more tolerable. The Lemosho Route is known for its beauty, so if stunning sights are more important to you, this might be the way to go. The Marangu Route is the oldest and most well-established; It is also considered the “easiest” due to its gradual slope. The Rongai Route is close to the Kenyan border, is easier than other routes, but takes a bit longer to reach the summit. The Umbwe Route is for very experienced hikers only who are confident in their ability to acclimatize. Finally, The Shira Route is one of the longest routes to the summit, taking at least seven days. You can decide which route is best for you based on your hiking experience, your goals for the trek, and how much time you have.
Most camps have “long drop” toilets which are wooden structures over a deep hole. We also provide private toilet tents that are clean and comfortable.
Yes! You cannot climb Kilimanjaro alone. Tanzanian law requires every trekker to be accompanied by a licensed guide.
