THE KINGS OF KILIMANJARO

International:

North America:

THE KINGS OF KILIMANJARO

International:

North America:
Kilimanjaro

Machame Route

9 Days

Climb the Machame Route

Embark on a journey of self-discovery, as you tackle the mighty 9-day Machame Route to Uhuru Peak, the summit . Hike through the dense, mossy rain-forest, where Colobus monkeys bark at you from the tree canopy, inviting you to explore this world of unique flora, ancient lava flows, and towering peaks.

Challenge yourself as you climb up to the Shira Plateau, and prove your yourself with a trek into the Barranco Valley. Take the exciting challenge of ascending the 500 ft. Barranco Wall, and feel the rush of adrenaline as you hit the top. With almost half a century of experience leading Kilimanjaro climbs, Tusker has honed its skills to provide you with an epic, life-changing adventure.

What Our Climbers Say

Route Stats

Day 1 – MOSHI

3,000-ft/914-m • Meet Your Guides

The flight to Kilimanjaro sets your heart racing with anticipation. After your morning arrival your driver whisks you away to the Park View Inn, in Moshi. Here, when you meet your Tusker mountain guides for a climb orientation an final equipment check, a sense of anticipation grips you. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for — the start of an epic journey. As you settle into your comfortable room, the prospect of the climb fills you with excitement.

Day 2 – MACHAME CAMP

10,600-ft/2,972-m • 7.2 miles/11 km • 6-7 hours

The moment has finally arrived as we drive to the Machame gate, sign into the national park, and set out on our climb. The trail narrows, leading us uphill through the dense, mossy rain forest, where Colobus monkeys screech at us from high up in the tree canopy. With your expert guides leading the way, we discover the secrets of the plant and animal life, hiking higher into the forest. As we reach Machame camp, the Tusker Crew has already set up our camp, providing us with a warm cup of tea and a chance to bask in the incredible beauty of Kilimanjaro. – with dinner on the way.

Day 3 – SHIRA PLATEAU

12,480-ft/3,804-m • 3.1 miles/5 km • 7-8 hours

After a hearty breakfast, we set out on our climb, leaving camp behind. We begin our ascent up the ridge towards the Shira Plateau, a caldera formed by a collapsed volcano and one of Kilimanjaro’s original three peaks.

As we pass through fields of heath and moorland, the mountainside gradually opens up. The effects of the altitude start to set in, but we take our time, slowly hiking to our campsite, eagerly anticipating what lies ahead.

Day 4 – BARRANCO CAMP

12,950-ft/3,950-m • 6.2 miles/10 km • 7-8 hours

As we hike through the heath and moorland, the anticipation of what’s to come builds within us. The trail leads us uphill to Lava Tower, where we take a break to rest, have a hot lunch, and acclimatize. Then we embark on a steep trek downhill into the Barranco Valley, past beautiful Lobelia plants and towering Giant Senecios.

To our left, we catch sight of the south-facing glaciers of Kibo Peak, and the view of the towering walls is nothing short of spectacular. After a full day’s hike, we arrive at camp at the foot of the Barranco Wall, exhilarated and ready for tomorrow.

Day 5 – KARANGA CAMP

13,230-ft/4,033-m • 3.6 miles/5.8 km • 4-5 hours

The day explodes with energy as we confront our first major challenge: the formidable Barranco Wall. It certainly puts our endurance and agility to the test. Throughout the day, we’re captivated by the awe-inspiring majesty of Kibo Peak, looming over our left shoulder like a giant sentinel. Descending sharply into the Karanga Valley, we catch our breath before launching into the final ascent to Karanga Camp, nestled at the foot of Kibo. As we settle in for the night, we relish the euphoric feeling of triumph over yet another thrilling leg of this epic odyssey.

Day 6 – BARAFU HIGH CAMP

15,790-ft/4,813-m • 2.6 miles/4.18 km • 5 hours

We press on towards Barafu camp, tackling the steep terrain with determination. Breathing is a bit tougher as the air thins, but our spirits are soaring, because we know that the rewards awaiting us at the top are incredible. Barafu camp, with its Swahili name meaning “ice,” lives up to its reputation with bone-chilling temperatures at this elevation. Yet, the thrill of the climb fuels an electric energy pulsating throughout the camp, as we prepare ourselves for the ultimate challenge – reaching the summit tomorrow.

As the clouds dance around us, we catch mesmerizing glimpses of the awe-inspiring Mawenzi peak behind us, illuminated in vibrant colors by the African sun.

Day 7 – UHURU PEAK – MILLENNIUM CAMP

Summit: 19,341-ft/5,895-m • 2.55 miles/4.1 km • 6-7 hours
Millennium: 12,590-ft/3,837-m • 6.3 miles/10.1 km • 5-6 hours

With adrenaline coursing through your veins, you begin your ascent to Uhuru Peak before dawn breaks. The steep climb may be challenging, but your determination propels you to the Crater rim by mid-day. As Mawenzi Peak towers behind you, and the ice-walled crater looms ahead, your excitement ignites.

You are driven towards your ultimate goal – Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, only an hour away. At the summit, you revel in the jaw-dropping views, etching this moment into your memory forever. The exhilarating descent to Millennium camp is a rush of euphoria, with unforgettable memories to last a lifetime.

Day 8 – MOSHI

Mweka Gate: 5,500-ft/1,676-m • 7.5 miles/12 km • 6 hours ~ Drive Moshi • 30 mins

With a sense of accomplishment, you embark on the final leg of your climb. The downhill hike from Millennium Camp to the National Park Gate marks the end of your incredible journey. As you sign out, you revel in the memories of the challenging climb, the stunning views, and the camaraderie with your climbing team. A short ride back to the Bristol Cottages Hotel in Moshi awaits, where a well-deserved hot shower and a cold drink will refresh you. In the evening, you gather for a celebratory group dinner, reflecting on your extraordinary feat with pride and satisfaction.

Day 9

Join an exciting SAFARI and explore ZANZIBAR – or fly home.

Safari

Get ready to venture out on an unforgettable adventure as you explore some of the world’s most spectacular animal reserves on a Wildlife Safari. From the Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara to Tarangire National Parks, you’ll encounter a stunning array of wildlife in their natural habitats.

Zanzibar

Once you’ve conquered Kilimanjaro, it’s time to embark on an equally enchanting adventure – a journey back in time to the magical island of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean. Lose yourself in the historical maze of ancient alleyways and indulge in the beauty of the most pristine beaches on earth.

Your Expert Guides

The triumph of your Kilimanjaro summit challenge rests upon the expertise of your World Class Guides, the heart and soul of your journey. At Tusker, our founder Eddie Frank utilized the same techniques he used when training the US Army’s Special Forces to train our elite team of guides. With almost five decades of experience, our exclusive team has successfully led tens of thousands of triumphant Tusker climbers to the summit. Rest assured that with Tusker’s guides at your side, your climb to the top of Kilimanjaro will be nothing short of a resounding success.

Your Climbing Crew

One of the keys to the success of your climb is your climbing crew. They are the backbone of your adventure and ensure that your camp and gear is set up at each new location on the climbing route. The team is made up of porters and chefs that are fiercely loyal to Tusker Trail and who have been part of our family for decades.

Your porters and chefs also provide an incredible window into Tanzanian culture. They introduce you to the uplifting music of Kilimanjaro which will inspire you to put one foot in front of the other.

What’s Included

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