Climb Mt Kilimanjaro via Machame Route (7-Days)

When you choose us, you're making a meaningful contribution to the development of local communities in Kilimanjaro. We're committed to sustainability, and as part of our pledge, we allocate a part of our profits to various social responsibility initiatives. Here are some examples: Our guides regularly participate in firefighting efforts on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. Climate change is affecting even relatively remote countries like Tanzania, and unfortunately, we've seen a significant increase in bushfires in recent years. When two large fires erupted on Kilimanjaro in 2020 and 2022, our expeditions team was among the first to respond. It was later discovered that our strong team of 150 porters was larger and more productive than all other crews sent by all the other operators combined. We're proud to be one of the first donors to the Serengeti De-snaring Project, a conservation initiative of the Frankfurt Zoological Society. The project is working to remove snares, traps, and other poaching devices from Tanzania's national parks. Altezza Travel is a member of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), which promotes fair porter treatment practices and provides certification to tour operators that meet its standards. Our certification means that we pay fair wages, provide nutritious hot meals to our team members, and offer them proper care and protection. You can learn more about KPAP's work on their website. In response to the growing crisis of deforestation, we have undertaken several large-scale tree-planting efforts on the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro and in the surrounding areas. We are currently planning additional reforestation activities to further combat the issue. We're on a mission to improve the lives of students in the remote Materuni area. Over 50 local students have been attending a school with dilapidated classrooms, a leaking roof, and a lack of essential educational materials. The teachers have been doing their best to maintain a positive learning environment, but they are struggling with limited resources. We began funding the renovation of the school, providing building materials, and supplying educational materials as well as sports equipment. Our goal is to create a brighter future for these children by providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed. In 2023, we partnered with Nature Tanzania and invested over $12,000 to save the population of the Long-billed Forest Warbler. A special conservation site has been established in the Amani Forest, where our team conducts extensive research and conservation operations. With fewer than 250 birds remaining, this species is considered 'critically endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and urgent action is needed to prevent their extinction. Finally, we're committed to using local suppliers for all our operations and have made a deliberate decision to avoid large agricultural companies in favour of small farmers from the surrounding communities. By participating in our climbs, you're directly supporting positive change in the communities around Mount Kilimanjaro.

Most nationals are required to pay US$50 for a one-time, single-entry 90-day visa. USA nationals, however, are required to pay US$100 for a multi-entry visa.

Machame 7-day itinerary is easier than many other Kilimanjaro route itineraries. No technical climbing skills are required for this route. You will be fine with basic equipment and trekking poles. Machame is suitable even for beginners with good fitness levels due to its gradual acclimatisation profile. This route has one of the highest summit success rates (around 90%).

Here is a basic recommended packing list or trekking Kilimanjaro: - Waterproof, high-ankle hiking boots (well-broken-in) - Daypack (comfortable carry capacity + rain cover) - Duffle bag (for porter, up to 15 kg) - Headlamp with spare batteries - Hiking poles - Water bottle or flask (1-2 L) + optional hydration bladder - High-quality sunglasses with strong UV protection - Sun hat + warm beanie - Lightweight gloves + waterproof/mittens for summit night - Insulating fleece jacket - Warm down or synthetic jacket - Waterproof shell jacket - Shell trousers - Thermal base layers (top & bottom) - Trekking pants + extra warm/ insulated trousers for high camp - Trekking socks (avoid cotton) + thermal socks for high altitude - Sleeping bag rated for at least –10 °C (comfort) - Travel insurance covering cancellations/ health/ altitude issues. (Please ensure you are covered for trekking up to 6,000m) - Personal medication, sunscreen, wet-wipes, power-bank Optional/ Comfort items - Gaiters (very helpful in rain and mud) - Sleeping bag liner - Travel pillow - Dry bags for waterproofing gear - Camera/ GoPro + spare batteries - E-reader or mp3 player You can hire the heavier/ less-used gear locally (e.g., sleeping bag, shell pants) instead of buying everything new. This helps reduce baggage weight and costs. After booking, we will provide you with a full packing list and gear rental options.

Practically, due to high elevations there are no malaria-carrying mosquitoes on Kilimanjaro. Also, anti-malaria pills are reported to impact the hikers health condition on Kilimanjaro in a negative way, while, worsening the symptoms of high-altitude acclimatisation. However, the risk of infection is always present on the lower elevations before or after Kilimanjaro, as well in the National Parks on safari. Because of that, we recommend consulting your physician before the trip. Overall, it is always your decision whether to take malaria pills or not.

Altezza Travel is a member of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) - an independent organisation that advocates for the fair treatment of porters working on Kilimanjaro. KPAP certification is proof that our company treats its porters ethically and provides them with a safe and comfortable working environment. On your adventure, you will be led by our outstanding Kilimanjaro mountain guides. Rich experience Each guide has at least seven years of experience and boasts excellent knowledge of the Mt Kilimanjaro terrain, flora, and fauna. They have been chosen to lead some of the most incredible expeditions and adventures on the mountain, such as Wings of Kilimanjaro or Red Bull’s Kilimanjaro wingsuit BASE jump, which are yet to be repeated by anyone else. They also took part in the high-speed Kilimanjaro ascent of Nimsdai (aka Nirmal Purja) whose story is told in the Netflix Documentary "14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible". Wilderness First Responder Certifications You are in safe hands: all our mountain guides are certified Wilderness First Responders. This certification is administered by the independent USA-based organisation ("Wilderness Medical Associates") and confirms that the certificate holders are well-trained to respond to any emergencies that may happen in the wilderness. This WFR badge, together with excellent knowledge of the routes and locations, is a precondition for taking a mountain leader position in our company. Excellent storytelling skills Altezza guides are good storytellers and will always be happy to entertain you with Kilimanjaro legends and tales. You will also learn a lot about the plants, animals, and history of the highest free-standing mountain in the world. For those interested, our mountain team will be a rich source of information about the local culture, lifestyle, and customs. In the meantime, the guides are considerate and know when to take a step back to let you enjoy some peace and quiet alone. Whenever you want to enjoy some solitude with nature, our guides will quietly retreat to the background. A large, skilled support team The guides will be supported by our hard-working porters, camp managers, and other members of the crew. They will pitch up the camp ahead of your arrival, bring water from the mountain streams, and carry all of the expedition's supplies and gear. The mountain chefs will attend to the camp kitchen to provide you with nutritious and tasty meals. A happy and well-cared-for team Altezza Travel is proud to pay the highest salaries to our mountain crews in the Tanzanian tourism industry. Also, we open individual bank accounts for each member of the expedition team to ensure transparency and accountability of salary payouts. Taking good care of our mountain crews is the foundation of our work.

We offer a special rate of US$330 instead of US$370 when you book a single room at the hotel and a single tent on Kilimanjaro together. You can also book them separately: – US$60 per night for a single room at the hotel – US$250 total for a single tent during the climb Please message us after booking to arrange this add-on directly.

Travel insurance is not included in our climbing packages. For our Kilimanjaro and Meru hiking adventures, all participants are required to have travel insurance that covers trekking to altitudes of up to 6,000 metres and a helicopter evacuation. Since the requirements and costs of insurance vary across different countries, please contact your insurance provider to make sure that those requirements are covered, and find out about the exact costs.

You can arrive at any time – your transfer is arranged according to your flight. Our drivers are available 24/7 for individual airport pickups.

It’s US$250 for the group for the entire climb. This includes the toilet itself, a dedicated privacy tent, and a porter who carries it, sets it up at each camp, maintains and cleans it, and prepares it for the next day. The cost for a portable toilet can be shared between the participants who rent it together (maximum 3 people per toilet).

We carry bottled oxygen supplies for each expedition. The guiding team uses it to make the high-altitude acclimatisation process easier and prevent acute mountain sickness (AMS). Our guides administer bottled oxygen as soon as a climber develops the first signs of AMS, and that typically stabilises the oxygen saturation, allowing them to continue the adventure. In the unlikely event of a crisis requiring larger amounts of oxygen for one of our teams, other Altezza crews from the same camp will always come to help and share their supplies. Besides, we can organise a fast (less than six hours) delivery from our climbing base. Most operators provide oxygen to their clients at the late stages of AMS, when evacuation is the only remedy. We are the only company that uses bottled oxygen as an AMS prevention technique. This approach translates into less stressful acclimatisation, significantly fewer AMS cases, and a successful Kilimanjaro experience. We are the most oxygen-conscious trek outfitter on Kilimanjaro. We have a staff member whose sole responsibility is to oversee our oxygen storage and ensure that our bottles are always filled, the valves are functioning properly, and each crew receives the right amount of oxygen. As of today, we have 350 portable expedition oxygen systems.

We understand that some things that you bring to Tanzania won't be necessary for your Kilimanjaro climb, such as suitcases, clothes for safari or other parts of your trip, laptops, gadgets, and documents. We recommend that you take only what's truly essential for your expedition to the mountain, and leave fragile or easily stainable items at our storage facilities or a safe room. The use of a storage room and a safe room is completely free of charge. To give you peace of mind while you enjoy the wonders of Kilimanjaro, we have built a secure storage facility where you can safely leave all your suitcases and handbags. The facility is dry, well-ventilated, and only accessible to our staff. For items that require special handling, such as cash, jewellery, passports, gadgets, and other valuables, we offer space in our safe room. This room is under 24/7 video surveillance and protected by armed guards. It features a fire-proof door with a 120-minute fire resistance rating, 10-inch brick walls, and a highly sensitive alarm system You won't need any cash on Kilimanjaro as there are no shops, vending machines, or other places where one can spend money. The Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Development Plan strictly prohibits the construction of any commercial facilities on the park's premises. The small souvenir shop at Mweka Gate, which is the exit point for most of the trails, is the only place to buy souvenirs in the vicinity of Kilimanjaro. Local artisans sell their wares there, and it may be interesting for some of the hikers. However, we recommend bringing no more than $100 as the larger and more interesting souvenir shops are located in Arusha. If you're planning to spend more, we suggest visiting those shops instead, as they offer a better selection and prices. If you want to deposit your valuables in our care, you will need to itemise them and fill in a special form. If you leave cash with us, we will use a cash counter machine to help you count the money. You’ll get a receipt, listing the cash left in our care. You will sign it, and we will have it sealed together in your presence. To ensure transparency, we record the process with a high-resolution camera, and all records are deleted 30 days after you leave Tanzania. Our safe room is insured for $600,000 for emergencies, but in the almost ten years of our operation in Tanzania, we have not had a single insurance case.

The restaurants at Aishi Machame Hotel and Brubru Lodge operate à la carte, while many other Moshi hotels offer buffet or set menus of the day. On average, a meal (2-3 courses) starts from US$15-20 per person, depending on what you order (excluding drinks). Non-alcoholic drinks: US$1-3 Alcoholic drinks: from US$4

Our mountain chefs and waiters will take care of preparing and serving your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners throughout the adventure. The menu has been designed in consultation with a professional dietitian to ensure that our meals are both delicious and energy-rich, providing hikers with the necessary nutrition. We understand that everyone has unique dietary needs. That's why we offer delicious vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, and other types of meal plans for our mountain adventures. Just let your manager know, and our mountain chef will be ready to prepare a meal that meets your requirements. Best of all, switching to a special meal plan won't cost you a thing. For example, for breakfast, you can enjoy porridge, vegetables, eggs, sausages, sweet potato, spinach cooked in a local fashion ("mchicha"), and coffee or tea. For lunch, we usually serve various soups (butternut, tomato, leek, vegetable, or beef); spaghetti; stews; avocado salads; mashed potato; fried chicken with coconut, tomato, garlic and other sauces; minced meat in tomato sauce, and other popular international and local meals. For dinner, you can expect a soup; vegetable salad (locally styled "Kachumbari"); Mexican salad with tomatoes, corn, and onion, avocado; a juicy stew (such as bamia stew); fried vegetables; various main dishes with chicken, beef or fish. All meals are served with tasty sauces, and extra seasonings are always available on the table. After each meal, our waiters serve fresh local fruits, such as mangoes, oranges, pineapple, and bananas, to give hikers a vitamin boost. We use organic, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and meat from neighbouring farms to supply our trips. Our team rigorously checks each provider to ensure that it has a certification from the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA). We prefer to choose small local farms instead of large agricultural companies. This way, we ensure that all produce is always fresh and organic and that our expeditions provide a meaningful impact on the local economy. Our mountain chefs will prepare all meals during the expedition, except for lunch on the first day of your trip, which you will have after entering the park and before reaching the first camp where we will set up our kitchen. Our restaurant chefs at Aishi Machame Hotel will prepare this first lunch, and we will pack it for your adventure in sturdy compostable packaging from Vegware, our UK-based supplier of eco-friendly food packaging. When evaluating the quality of our meals on Kilimanjaro, please keep in mind that our teams prepare them in very challenging conditions. Our mountain chef prepares meals in a camp kitchen, using a camping gas oven with an electric torch for lighting. At times, weather conditions can be harsh, with wind and rain, and during certain months, it can be quite cold. While our mountain chef strives to create delicious and visually appealing meals, the unpredictable weather and challenging camping conditions may occasionally impact the quality and appearance of our dishes. We work tirelessly to maintain a high level of performance in such a demanding environment.

Tipping your climbing crew is a well-established practice in mountain hiking all over the world. Though never mandatory, our clients are encouraged to tip their mountain crews if their performance is up to your expectations. A recommended amount is US$250-350 per participant.

Every morning and evening on the hike, our WFR-certified guides perform medical check-ups to ensure that both hikers and crew members (including porters, camp managers, and chefs) are properly acclimating to the altitude. During these check-ups, our guides will ask general questions about your health and measure your oxygen saturation level. In some cases, they may also need to check your blood pressure or listen to your lungs with a stethoscope to assess your breathing. It's mandatory for all hikers to attend those medical check-ups, even for those who feel great and don't have any altitude-related symptoms. They allow our guiding team to diagnose the early stages of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) and take preventive measures to ensure that everyone is acclimating properly and that the hike is a pleasant and safe adventure. Our team are experienced in accommodating climbers with various health conditions, such as diabetes, and asthma, among others. We have developed special protocols to ensure that those climbers receive the support and care they need during their climb. We understand that climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro can be challenging, especially for those with underlying health conditions. That's why we work closely with our climbers to understand their individual needs and develop a plan that ensures their safety and well-being throughout the climb. If our guides have any concerns about a hiker's health, they use the Lake Louise Acute Mountain Sickness scoring system and additionally consult with our company doctor before deciding whether a hiker is safe to continue the ascent. With our comprehensive medical kits and experienced guides, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our climbers during their Kilimanjaro adventure. Our in-company doctor carefully reviews all pre-departure health forms, completed by the hikers on the Altezza Personal Trip Board. He ensures that each participant is indeed ready for the adventure and provides health-related recommendations if needed. At all times our central goal is for your Kilimanjaro climb to be a safe and memorable experience. For that to happen we will be strictly following our protocols and doing as much as we can to never compromise your safety on Kilimanjaro. We take every precaution to ensure the safety and well-being of our climbers. To this end, we maintain a special medical record book for each participant that documents all relevant medical information throughout the trip. This is a critically important resource that will be available to doctors in the unlikely event of hospitalisation during the expedition. Your personal information will remain strictly confidential and not be disclosed, unless necessary for the medical personnel.

Less oxygen in the air is what causes problems with sleep at high altitudes. In most cases, if your acclimatisation transition is going well, you won’t have any issues with your sleep at night. In other words, following the golden rules of high-altitude acclimatisation will make your sleep better. Here is a recap of them: - Hike slowly! Ideally, your pace should be two times slower than your normal walking pace. - Choose longer routes. 7-day climbs through Lemosho and Machame are enough for most hikers. - Do not ignore acclimatisation hikes. Following the “go high, sleep low” principle will help your acclimatisation. - If you have a headache at night or it is difficult to fall asleep, make sure to tell your guide, and he will give you the necessary pills.

Each expedition is equipped with a reliable GPS tracking device, allowing us to track our Kilimanjaro teams in real-time. While primarily a safety protocol, the GPS links also provide peace of mind for your loved ones who can track the hikers’ progress from home. The morning your Kilimanjaro expedition begins, our adventure consultant will give you a QR code that can be scanned to generate a GPS link. All our expeditions are equipped with a satellite phone. The phone is carried by your guide and is used for emergency communication with our head office at the Aishi Machame climbing base, when regular mobile phone service is unavailable. This ensures an immediate response from our 24/7 safety monitoring team. Please note: The satellite phone is primarily designated for emergencies. If you wish to stay in touch with family, friends, or business partners via satellite connection, you can rent a personal satellite phone for your own use. Reach out to our travel experts to learn more.

☑️Comfortable and reliable Kilimanjaro tents For all our expeditions, we use durable 4-season tents that will keep you warm at night and safe from rain. Each tent has a buffer zone where you can remove your dusty boots and rain gear before entering. We’ve consistently used this model for many years and haven’t had any issues. Though originally designed for three people, we don’t place more than two in each tent. There is enough space for two people and their duffel bags to feel comfortable. You’ll share the tent with your travel companion. If you’re travelling alone, we’ll pair you with a same-sex tent buddy. You may also request a tent just for yourself. We apply an extra charge for that to cover the wages and meals of the extra porter who will be carrying it. Please contact us for details. OPTIONAL UPGRADE: Larger walk-in tent We also have special spacious tents with enough room to set up a camp bed. As of today, this is the most comfortable option on Kilimanjaro. These tents are about twice the size of regular ones, and carrying and maintaining them requires more porters than usual. We charge an additional fee for using these tents. ☑️Thick sleeping mats: Our hikes include 3-inch sleeping mats produced by our company’s tailor shop, which is located right at our Machame climbing base. ☑️Camping tables with stainless steel cutlery and ceramic crockery. Served and cleaned by a dedicated kitchen crew at each meal. We are committed to reducing plastic waste and never use disposable tableware. ☑️Spacious mess tents: Produced especially by RedFox, a reputable brand and manufacturer of outdoor equipment, our dining tents are strong, wind- and rainproof, allowing for a comfortable dining and socialising experience, even in bad weather. ☑️Foldable camping chairs Durable and comfortable chairs that provide excellent back and arm support, they’ll make evening get-togethers in the mess tents a pleasant pastime with your teammates. Grab one and enjoy an epic sunset from the edge of the camp! ☑️Handwashing stand: Our camp crew regularly fill it with hot water so that you can keep your hands and face clean. The camp managers arrive at the camping grounds hours ahead of your group to pick the most picturesque location at a distance from other hiking groups. They also keep a close eye on the tents and other camping equipment to ensure everything runs smoothly. Each camp manager carries a repair kit in case quick maintenance is needed, although our expedition managers inspect each tent before the expedition starts, making such situations unlikely.

The night before the climb and the night following the descent, you will be accommodated in a 3* hotel in the area of Moshi Town. By default - shared double occupancy room unless you order a single supplement. We always offer Aishi Machame Hotel as the primary option, and Brubru Lodge as the first alternative option, as both hotels are owned and run by Altezza Travel. Please note: Should both of these lodges be unavailable, we’ll be happy to arrange a room in one of our trusted partner hotels of the same standard. If you’re travelling solo, a small additional fee will apply, as a single room will be arranged for you by default. Your travel expert will inform you about this before confirming your reservation. In your hotel, you will find everything a traveller needs: professional staff, a restaurant, a swimming pool, comfortable rooms with mosquito nets, laundry service, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Aishi Machame is situated in a tranquil, green rural neighbourhood, just 23 km (14.3 mi) from Moshi, and is often visited by monkeys, mongooses, and other wildlife, which you can observe from the restaurant terrace during breakfast. This location is perfect for those seeking peace and quiet. Our office and rental gear store are also located here. Brubru Lodge is situated in the quietest area of Moshi, known as Shanty Town, and we recommend it to those who want to be closer to city life and explore local cafes, shops, and nightlife. If you need any gear for your climb from our gear store at Aishi Machame - don’t worry - our managers will deliver it right to Brubru Lodge for your orientation briefing. By default, our packages include bed and breakfast accommodation. Lunch and dinner can be ordered directly at the hotel's restaurants — both serve carefully crafted à la carte meals, combining European and local cuisines. Note: You'll be sharing a room with your travel companion, or, if travelling solo, with a same-sex traveller. If you prefer to have a single room, please order a single supplement as soon as you can, as our hotels often have many guests, and the rooms may be fully booked by the time of your arrival. Also, should you decide to descend earlier than planned, a charge for all extra nights spent in our hotels will apply. Contact your travel consultant to book a single room. On the day before the climb, our managers will meet you in your hotel for an orientation briefing, and our car will pick you up for the start of your Kilimanjaro adventure.

The weather on Mt Kilimanjaro depends on the season. Summer months are mostly dry and chilly, spring and autumn through early winter are rainy, and middle and late winter is sunny, hot and dry. Because of that, the most popular climbing seasons on Kilimanjaro are August-September, the New Year holidays, and January through early March.

Types D and G (British) with standard voltage of 230 V are used in Tanzania.