7 Days Machame + 4 Days Safari Combo
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation: 1,800m to 2,835m | Distance: 11km | Hiking Time: 5-7 hours | Terrain: Rain Forest
Your adventure begins at the Machame Gate. After registrations and meeting your crew, we dive into the lush, emerald-green rainforest. Keep your eyes peeled for Colobus monkeys and exotic birds. The trail is often muddy and misty, adding an ethereal feel to your first day on the mountain. We arrive at Machame Camp in time for a warm dinner and your first night under the stars.
Your adventure begins at the Machame Gate. After registrations and meeting your crew, we dive into the lush, emerald-green rainforest. Keep your eyes peeled for Colobus monkeys and exotic birds. The trail is often muddy and misty, adding an ethereal feel to your first day on the mountain. We arrive at Machame Camp in time for a warm dinner and your first night under the stars.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATIONS:
CAMPS
Machame Camp
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 2,835m to 3,850m | Distance: 5km | Hiking Time: 4-6 hours | Terrain: Moorland
Leaving the forest behind, the path steepens as we enter the moorland zone. You will notice the vegetation thinning, replaced by giant lobelias and groundsels. The climb is steady and offers incredible views of the Western Breach and the Shira Plateau. We cross several valleys before reaching Shira 2 Camp, located on a high plateau with panoramic views of the mountain.
Leaving the forest behind, the path steepens as we enter the moorland zone. You will notice the vegetation thinning, replaced by giant lobelias and groundsels. The climb is steady and offers incredible views of the Western Breach and the Shira Plateau. We cross several valleys before reaching Shira 2 Camp, located on a high plateau with panoramic views of the mountain.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATIONS:
CAMPS
Shira 2 Camp
Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3,850m to 4,600m to 3,900m | Distance: 10km | Hiking Time: 6-8 hours | Terrain: Semi-Desert
This is a critical acclimatization day. We climb up to the massive Lava Tower (4,600m) for lunch. This "climb high, sleep low" strategy is essential for your body to adjust. In the afternoon, we descend into the beautiful Barranco Valley, famous for its "Garden of the Senecios." We arrive at Barranco Camp, situated beneath the imposing Great Barranco Wall.
This is a critical acclimatization day. We climb up to the massive Lava Tower (4,600m) for lunch. This "climb high, sleep low" strategy is essential for your body to adjust. In the afternoon, we descend into the beautiful Barranco Valley, famous for its "Garden of the Senecios." We arrive at Barranco Camp, situated beneath the imposing Great Barranco Wall.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATIONS:
CAMPS
Barranco Camp
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 3,900m to 3,995m | Distance: 5km | Hiking Time: 4-5 hours | Terrain: Alpine Desert
Today begins with the famous scramble up the Barranco Wall. While it looks intimidating, it is a fun non-technical climb that rewards you with spectacular views from the top. Once over the wall, the trail follows a series of ridges and valleys before reaching the Karanga Valley. This short day allows for further rest and acclimatization before the final push.
Today begins with the famous scramble up the Barranco Wall. While it looks intimidating, it is a fun non-technical climb that rewards you with spectacular views from the top. Once over the wall, the trail follows a series of ridges and valleys before reaching the Karanga Valley. This short day allows for further rest and acclimatization before the final push.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATIONS:
CAMPS
Karanga Camp
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 3,995m to 4,673m | Distance: 4km | Hiking Time: 4-5 hours | Terrain: Alpine Desert
We continue our ascent into the high-altitude desert. The landscape becomes increasingly barren as we approach the summit cone. We arrive at Barafu Camp (meaning "ice" in Swahili) by early afternoon. This is our base camp for the summit. Spend the afternoon resting, hydrating, and preparing your gear for the midnight departure.
We continue our ascent into the high-altitude desert. The landscape becomes increasingly barren as we approach the summit cone. We arrive at Barafu Camp (meaning "ice" in Swahili) by early afternoon. This is our base camp for the summit. Spend the afternoon resting, hydrating, and preparing your gear for the midnight departure.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATIONS:
CAMPS
Barafu Camp
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4,673m to 5,895m (Summit) to 3,100m (Mweka) | Distance: 18km | Hiking Time: 13-15 hours | Terrain: Arctic to Moorland
The ultimate challenge. Around midnight, we begin the steep climb on loose volcanic scree. This is physically and mentally demanding. We reach Stella Point (5,756m) at dawn and continue another hour to Uhuru Peak—the Roof of Africa! After celebrating your victory, we descend back to Barafu for lunch and continue down to Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain.
The ultimate challenge. Around midnight, we begin the steep climb on loose volcanic scree. This is physically and mentally demanding. We reach Stella Point (5,756m) at dawn and continue another hour to Uhuru Peak—the Roof of Africa! After celebrating your victory, we descend back to Barafu for lunch and continue down to Mweka Camp for your final night on the mountain.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATIONS:
CAMPS
Mweka Camp
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3,100m to 1,640m | Distance: 10km | Hiking Time: 3-4 hours | Terrain: Rain Forest
A final, gentle descent through the beautiful rainforest back to the Mweka Gate. After lunch and the certificate ceremony, we celebrate with our mountain team before transferring to your hotel to swap your trekking boots for safari gear.
A final, gentle descent through the beautiful rainforest back to the Mweka Gate. After lunch and the certificate ceremony, we celebrate with our mountain team before transferring to your hotel to swap your trekking boots for safari gear.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATIONS:
CAMPS
Mweka Camp
Day 8: Tarangire National Park Game Drive
Trade your hiking boots for a 4x4 safari vehicle. Explore Tarangire and witness the wildlife that gathers around the life-giving Tarangire River. Known for its massive baobab trees and largest concentration of elephants in Northern Tanzania.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATIONS:
LODGE
Safari Lodge / Tented Camp
Day 9: Serengeti National Park
Travel through the Ngorongoro Highlands and into the Serengeti. The afternoon is spent on game drives in search of lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Experience the quintessential African safari as you explore the endless horizons.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATIONS:
LODGE
Safari Lodge / Tented Camp
Day 10: Serengeti & Ngorongoro Highlands
A morning game drive in the Serengeti followed by a scenic drive back up the highlands. Enjoy the changing landscapes from the plains to the lush forests on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATIONS:
LODGE
Safari Lodge / Tented Camp
Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater & Arusha
A final safari highlight as we explore the floor of the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. This unique ecosystem is home to the Big Five and is the best place to spot the rare black rhino. Return to Arusha for your evening departure.
