The Machame route is our 2nd favorite after the Western Breach.

If you feel unsure about your ability to handle the high-altitude camping of the Western Breach, then the Machame Route is a good option.

We hike 5.12 miles

We go from to height of 9973ft

It will take about 5-6 hours (lunch included)

The drive from the Lodge to the Park Gate at Machame takes about 1 hour.

At the park gate, you need to sign the register while the guides arrange the porters.

The walk starts on a 4WD track for about 3km.

The first hour is easy and the 2nd hour to the lunch stop is a bit steeper with lots of stepping over tree roots and avoiding the mud!

Lunch is around noon and the 30-min break is most welcome.

After lunch the climb gets steeper in places and logs have been placed across the most muddy sections. You are following a stream (audible to the right). After about an hour the forest starts to thin and grasses are more prominent.

About 2 hours after lunch the green hut of the Machame Camp comes into view.

We hike 3.15 miles

We go from 9973ft to 12480ft

It will take about 5 hours (lunch included)

Today is a rather steep day and not very long but the path is rocky and dusty.

We walk very slow today. The reason is to give you time to acclimatize.

Most of the route is rather bare of vegetation providing little shade from the heat.

You will cross many ridges and see the first of many senecias.

The final section to the lunch stop is quite steep and there are even concrete steps set into the rocky hill.

After lunch the road ahead looks easier but don't be fooled. The first part is steep before the trail flattens out a bit to the west 

The last 2 hours are rocky and steep in a few short places but fortunately the final 15 minutes is mostly flat or downhill!

We hike 6.50 miles

We go from 12480ft to 15300ft then down to 13054ft

It will take about 8 hours (lunch and Lava Tower climb included)

The early stages of the climb is over boulders with few rocks. The first part is gentle before the path starts a steady uphill climb.

We reach Lava Tower around noon and stop for lunch. We are in the vicinity of the highest point of today's walk - 14,850 ft or 4530m. Some will start to feel the altitude in the form of a mild headache.

Others may want to climb the Tower! There are two climbers at the top in this picture!

From Lava Tower we go basically straight down for about 2 hours. The path is dusty and rocky.

We hike 3.15 miles

We go from 13054ft to 13277ft

It will take about 4 hours

Immediately after leaving camp we cross a small stream before we start scrambling up the Barranco Wall.

The wall is steep and we have to use our hands to steady us, but the climb is very pleasant and takes about 75 minutes. In this picture we are half-way...

The views from the top of the wall are breathtaking. If you look up you can see the Kibo massif with the Heim Glacier looming above.

If you look down you can see the Barranco Valley and our camp site - where the porters are breaking up camp.

You can see the next gully below - the first of a few today! Up and down we walk until we descend down into a greener valley with a stream of water. You will see porters everywhere as they collect water at this last water stop.

After a short stop to fill our water bottles, we climb the steep hill (a 25min climb) to reach our next camp. 

We hike 2.15 miles

We go from 13277ft to 15200ft

It will take about 3 hours

Today is a short but steep uphill climb. We continue our our uphill climb across barren landscape with lots of boulders and shattered rocks.

It is very quiet and peaceful. The Decken Glacier is always presence to your left.

At some point you will come to a fork - the way down to Mweka is to the right. We will go left, following a very steep ridge until we reach a rocky section for some more scrambling.

25 minutes later we reach our camp amidst large rocks with dangerous cliff-faces. We need to be careful here - some climbers have been killed when they lost their way during the night while looking for the long-drop toilets.

Tonight we will go to bed early (7pm) as the wake-up call is 11pm! Most climbers won't sleep much - just close your eyes and relax for a few hours. The early morning climb to Uhuru Peak will probably be the hardest thing you'll do in your life.

We go from 15200ft to 19365ft to 10146ft

It will take about 13 hours (lunch included)

Summit Day!

We start at around midnight. You must wear your headlamp.

The first hour or so is rocky and you must step carefully. The you will turn right and enter a snow-covered area from where you can see the glaciers above. On a moonlit night you can switch off your headlamp and walk in the moon light - a wonderful experience.

After about 2 hours the steepness will start to set in. From now on, the struggle is mental as well as physical. You may need to rest every 15 minutes or so.

You will walk like a machine. One leg in front of the other. Your mouth will be dry and you will start to feel the cold. Most people start to lose feeling in their feet and some develop painfully cold hands!

Near Stella Point the lava field is like loose sand. You step up and slide back - very frustrating!

Most climbers reach Stella point after about 5 hours or so. After a quick rest, it's on to Uhuru Peak just as the sun appears over Mawenzi.

And then you are there! Remember to take lots of pictures!

But please be prepared for an aftershock - the way down is a steep, rigorous route via Stella Point down the mountain to Barafu where we will stop for lunch.

Many hikers are unprepared for this 2-hour ordeal down the slippery slope of scree. Don't be. The sun will beat down and you will start to curse your 4-layers of summit wear! You will sweat and eat dust like a rodeo cowboy!

At Barafu you can take a good rest before tackling the rest of the way down. It is time to relax and think about your experiences of the past week.

The way down to Mweka camp is a comfortable walk but rather dusty.

We hike 5.50 miles

We go from 10146ft to 5425ft

It will take about 3 hours

Final opportunities to take pictures of the Team. On a clear morning, Kibo will loom large in the distance - a perfect backdrop for a team picture.

Some parts of the walk are very steep downhill. Other stretches are very slippery.  We've seen people break legs just a few hundred yards from the Park gate. Be careful.

At the gate, we deal with the issue of tipping. For most, this is an uncomfortable ritual but the Kiliwarriors has prepared you well and the porters will happily send you off with a farewell dance.

At the gate, you need to sign out before receiving your Gold or Green Summit Certificate! Look at this - it says F&S was excellent! That's what we like to see!

Your guides will then present you with your certificate!

Time to say goodbye and buy a few souvenirs before your driver takes you back to the Lodge.

At the Lodge, it is time to shower, get laundry done and take a nap.

Your room at the Lodge is reserved for late checkout - you can relax before your flight home or new destination if you signed up for one of our optional excursions.

If you fly back home, your driver will meet you for the transfer to the airport.