Kilimanjaro Trekking 7 Days Machame Route

Machame Trekking 7 Day Itinerary

You will enjoy the more comfortable and easier to acclimatize 7 day trekking on the Machame Route of Kilimanjaro. This is the route itinerary I did in 2009, reaching the summit on January 1, 2010.

Upcoming Trips, Expeditions, Trekking and Safari

CLICK HERE for current expedition calendars

CLICK HERE to request more information

Kiilimanjaro near the summit of the Roof of Africa, one of the best to be your first Seven Summits

Day One: Machame Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,200 meters, 3,935 feet
Distance: 10 kilometers

At 9am, leave Arusha for Machame Gate, where you will meet the porters, guides, and cooks that will spend the next seven days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. The drive through coffee farms and villages to Machame Gate takes about 1.5 hours. Once you arrive, wait at the gate while your head guide registers your climb and the porters and guides make final preparations.

Your destination is Machame Camp. Each day, porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival. On the first day, hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. The forest will thin at the end of the hike and vegetation will change to include heathers, tall grasses and wildflowers. If the weather is clear, view the surrounding area and your ultimate destination, Kibo Peak.

Day Two: Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft) to Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft)
Elevation Gain: 840 meters, 2,760 feet
Distance: 7 kilometers

Although considered to be the easiest day on the Machame Route, today’s trek includes several uphill sections. Carry plenty of drinking water, as the exposed hike can be hot on a clear day. There are several viewpoints from which you can see the plains and forests below and Kibo and Mawenzi peaks above.

As you gain altitude, notice the change in vegetation. The trees diminish in size, giving way to Kilimanjaro’s famous high altitude plants, Scenecio kilimanjari and Lobelia deckenii. After eating lunch, climb the Shira Plateau, created when Kibo’s lava flows filled the Shira crater. Continue to Shira Camp, where you will relax for the rest of the day. Kibo lies to the west and Mount Meru to the east.

Day Three: Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)
Total Elevation Gain: 690 meters, 2,264 feet
Distance: 10 kilometers

Although this up and down day ends with an elevation gain of only 110 meters, by early afternoon you will have climbed 690 meters to a height of 4,530 meters before beginning your descent to Barranco Camp. This day is crucial for acclimatization.

After breakfast, hike east on the Shira Plateau before reaching the junction for the Shira and Lemosho Routes. Continue on through the barren landscape before stopping for lunch. Shortly after lunch, reach the highest point of the day before descending quickly to Barranco Camp. Faster hikers can take a detour via Lava Tower, a 300-foot lava formation jutting out of the mountainside.

Barranco Camp, set among stands of Senecio kilimanjari, is considered to be the most scenic campsite on the Machame Route.

Day Four: Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft)
Elevation Gain: 250 meters, 820 feet
Distance: 7 Kilometers

Leave Barranco Camp after breakfast for Karanga Valley. The day begins with a 1.5 hour scramble up Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you will have to use your hands to pull your body up. After reaching the top make a short descent into the greener Karanga Valley. We generally camp on the ridge above the valley to allow for greater acclimatization.

Day Five: Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)
Elevation Gain: 400 meters, 1,320 feet
Distance: 6 kilometers

After breakfast, begin the hike to Barafu Camp. On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail. During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. Although the trail to Barafu passes through alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Try to sleep as soon as you finish dinner as you will awake before midnight for your summit hike.

Day Six: Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,295 meters, 4,240 feet
Elevation Loss: 2,795 meters, 9,170 feet
Distance: 18 kilometers

Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. For the next six hours, hike by the light of your headlamp. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point.

The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers.

At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.

Day Seven: Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft)
Elevation Loss: 1,600 meters, 5,250 feet
Distance: 10 kilometers

After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery. Vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Arusha. You will be able to buy t-shirts and sodas at the gate.

Machame 7 Day Pricing

As of August 23, 2015

• $2770.00 USD Complete as stated, note exceptions below.
• $300.00 USD Deposit due upon reservation application
• $2470.00 USD Balance due 30 days previous to arrival in Tanzania

Expedition includes 1 night hotel previous to your itinerary, and 1 night hotel after your itinerary.

Any combination of 2 through 5 Kilimanjaro packages = 7% discount
Any combination of 6 or more Kilimanjaro packages = 10% discount
I will contact you after your deposit with invoicing information

In a hurry? Kilimanjaro 6 Day Machame Trekking Option HERE

Deposit Now to Reserve Your Spot

• 

  Kilimanjaro 7 Day Machame Route Trekking Only Deposit

  $300.00Add to cart

Exceptions

• Alcohol
• Rescue and medical fees
• Souvenirs, gifts, additional purchases
• Tips, gratuities
• Additional meals, snacks etc.
• Expenses arising from itinerary exceptions or departures from itinerary
• Trip insurance, additional expenses

Relaxing at Elbrus Race 2013

In my book about Elbrus Race 2013 [more info] I talked about how we relaxed on our rest days by hanging out at the huts and talking and eating and drinking. One of my good friends that I met there, Svetlana, who is mentioned numerous times in the book, sent me this pic that totally sums up the feeling at the Barrels on Elbrus while resting and recovering from our runs.

Kilian Jornet resing with a hot drink at the Snowcat Graveyard

This was one of my favorite books to write about one of my favorite times on a mountain with good friends and fellow competitors. I'll be going back next year with my teammates Todd Gilles and Jen Hamilton. Check out our training progress at ElbrusRaceTeam on Blogspot.

Standing at the Equator - November 2008

I went with Mountain Madness for an Ecuador Volcano Climb. We went to the Equator museums and displays and had a great fun day as part of the acclimatization process. We climbed Illiniza Norte and Illiniza Sur, but when we went to do Antisana found conditions to be too dangerous with heavy slab over loose hoar so we didn't climb it. Sur was my high altitude mark at 17,218'

Post by Seven Summits Quest.

Alpamayo Gear List

From the San Juan Mountain Guides Website, here's the gear list for Alpamayo:

6000 Meter Double Boots with Crampons

General Equipment

Duffel Bag: Large durable bag for airline and in-country travel and organization.
Backpack: Internal frame, 50-60 liters max. Guides’ pick: Osprey Aether 60 or Variant 52
Sleeping bag: Down or synthetic bag rated between 15-20 degrees with compression stuff sack. Guides’ pick: Neutrino Endurance 400
Sleeping Pad:  Full-length Therm-a-Rest air mattress.
Pocket knife: 2-3 inch blade, simple, light
Cup/Bowl & Spoon:  Versatile plastic/lexan type.
Small thermos: Optional, but nice to have
Water bottles: 2 liters combined capacity; bottles or bladder. Guides’ pick: Nalgene or Platypus
Water Bottle Insulators: OR or similar sleeve type water bottle insulators

Weighing gear in Talkeetna Alaska

Climbing Equipment

Adjustable Trekking Poles
Harness: Adjustable leg loops are essential.
Locking carabiner (2): Pear shaped, wide mouth.
Non-locking carabiners (4): Wire gate biners are best
Helmet
Boots: Climbing boots.  Double boots or insulated single boots with zippered gaiter.
Crampons: Step in crampons.  Guides’ Pick: BD Sabretooth
Ice Axes: 2 Technical Ice Tools.  Guides’ Pick: BD Cobra

Clothing and Personal Equipment

Travel Clothing: 2 sets of travel/town clothing is usually suffiicient
Hiking boots: Lightweight hiking boots or approach shoes for acclimatization hikes and around town.
Socks: 2-3 pair of medium weight wool or synthetic blend socks.
Base layers: Synthetic t-shirt and synthetic long underwear
Mid-weight Layer: For over your long underwear and under other external layers. Guides’ Pick: OR Centrifuge Jacket
Soft shell pants: Warm enough for cool mornings and nights, yet light enough for warm days. Guides’ Pick: OR Cirque Pant
Soft shell jacket: Your workhorse jacket with a hood. Guides’ Pick: OR Alibi Jacket
Insulated Jacket: Down or synthetic with a hood. Guides’ pick: OR Virtuoso Hoody
Hard shell jacket: waterproof and breathable, no insulation. Guides’ Pick: OR Axiom Jacket
Gloves: 3 pair. 1 mid-weight, 1 heavy-weight, 1 light-weight. Bring mittens if you get cold hands easily.
Hand Warmers: 2 – 3 packets to stick in your gloves.
Hats: one with brim, one for warmth
Balaclava: BUFF’s are also acceptable.
Sunglasses: With Category 4 lenses.
Goggles: A standard paid of ski goggles will suffice.
Sunscreen and lip balm: water/sweat-proof. SPF 50 or higher recommended.
Headlamp: with extra batteries. Guides’ pick: Black Diamond Spot
Toiletries: Toilet paper, baggie for used TP, toothbrush/paste, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.
Personal first-aid kit: for your personal meds/needs; guide will have a large one as well
Stuff sacks: for convenient packing
Digital Camera
Book and/or iPod/iPad
Lunch food: Everything you eat between breakfast and dinner. May include: bagels, dried meats, cheese, trail mix, candy bars, peanut butter, etc…

Alpamayo Itinerary

It's not one of the Seven, but I think it's one of the most beautiful mountains on our planet. For that reason alone I've decided to head to Peru and climb 19,512' Alpamayo. Summit day includes a couple thousand feet of steep snow and ice climbing up to 70 degrees or so. AI 2-3.

I'll be going with San Juan Mountain Guides in Ouray CO and for more information on this climb, and to reserve your spot for next year, [CLICK HERE]

Here is the itinerary as listed on their website:

DAY 1

Depart U.S. for Peru arriving late evening. We will be there to pick you up at the airport and transport you to our hotel near the US Embassy in the Mariscal Sur district.

DAY 2

Today we travel to the high mountain town of Huaraz (9,500 ft.), and our hotel accommodations for the evening.

DAY 3

In Huaraz, we organize equipment and food for our expedition.  This also serves as a valuable acclimatization day.

DAY 4

Drive to Cashapampa (9,000').  Along the way we will pass through many smaller Peruvian villages and enjoy beautiful views of many Cordillera Blanca peaks, including the massive Huascaran. We begin our trek up the lovely Santa Cruz Valley to camp at Illma Corral (11,500').

DAY 5

Another splendid day of trekking in the high Andes to reach our base camp (13,500') for Alpamayo.

DAY 6

We hike a load of equipment and supplies to camp 1 (moraine) and return to base camp.

DAY 7

Today we hike to and stay at moraine camp.

DAY 8

A rest and acclimatization day at moraine camp.

DAY 9

Today we will move to Camp 2, also known as Col Camp.  This is one of the more challenging days of the expedition, as we will be navigating crevasses and some steep two-tool climbing with heavier packs on the way to our camp at 18,000'.

DAY 10

Summit Day on Alpamayo (19,512').  After we cross the bergschrund it is approximately 7 – 9 pitches of 55 – 70 degree neve and ice climbing to the summit ridge and the top of this sought after peak.  We will rappel the route back to high camp.

DAY 11

Extra summit day or rest day at Col Camp.

DAY 12

Extra summit day on Alpamayo.  Alternatively and if the group is feeling strong, we may choose to climb Quitaraju (19,820') by it’s North Face.  Though not as steep as Alpamayo, the route is longer and crests the magical 6000 meter mark.

DAY 13

Descend to basecamp from Col Camp.

DAY 14

With the aid of horses we will descend from basecamp back to Cashapampa and continue to Huaraz.

DAY 15

Depart Huaraz and return to Lima.

DAY 16

Return to the US.

Photo and information from San Juan Mountain Guides website.