Our Mt Kilimanjaro Expedition assaults Africa’s highest mountain using the Machame route, the one that traverses five climactic zones and offers stunning scenery. Although considered a relatively difficult route, Machame is better suited for adventurous trekkers and for expeditionists with some hiking and backpacking experience. The route approaches the summit from the southwest and descends using the Mweka route, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco wall, and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field. In certain sections this route is steeper than the Marangu and Rongai routes and physically more demanding but, overall, Machame is easier.
The Mt Kilimanjaro Expedition from Ghana costs $3,687 dollars per participant, and the amount covers for the following:
- Return flight costs (economy)
- Kilimanjaro Airport and in-country transfers
- Hotel lodging (includes pre-priced meals)
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees.
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- Sleeping Mattress
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Quality Mess tents with tables and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Tanzanian Government)
- 5% card payment charges by Tanzanian authorities
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
This expedition to Africa’s 5,895m highest mountain runs from September 13 when the Expedition Team flies out of Accra, Ghana until September 22 when the team flies out of Tanzania. It costs $3,687. Deadline for registration is June 1, 2024.
The costs do not include the following:
- Tanzania Visa costs (applies to non-Ghanaians)
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc. (available for rent in Tanzania)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance.
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary.
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
Payment Terms
Deposit Payment
Registration deposit is $1,000 on or before May 31, 2024. The deposit can be paid either via bank transfer or on our online payment portal. You will receive a booking confirmation for your payment. Zero cancellation fees apply until July 13. 50% cancellation fees apply after July 13, and no refunds will be issued after August 1, 2024.
Balance Payment
The balance of $2,687 can be paid via bank transfer, on our online payment portal, or with cash. The balance is required on or before August 1, 2024. 50% cancellation fees apply until August 13, after which no refunds can be made for cancellations.
The Itinerary
September 13: Flight to Kilimanjaro Airport from Accra
September 14: Transfer to Hotel in Moshi. Pre-trek briefing and rental outfitting of trekking equipment.
September 15: Hotel to Machame Camp. We’ll drive from Moshi to Machame Gate for about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We’ll depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up the ridge. At lower elevations the trail is muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We’ll continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
- Elevation: 1,830m/6000ft to 3,050m/9950ft
- Distance: 11km/7mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Montain Forest
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
September 16: Machame Camp to Shira Camp. After breakfast we’ll leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west into a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.
- Elevation: 3,050m/9,950ft to 3,850m/12,600ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi
- Walking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
September 17: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp. From the Shira Plateau we’ll continue east up a ridge and traverse the junction towards the peak of Kibo. Our direction will change southeast towards the Lava Tower, also called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation 4,650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we’ll hike to the second junction towards the Arrow Glacier and continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although we’ll end the day around the same elevation as when we began, this day will be very important for acclimatization and will help our bodies prepare for summit day.
- Elevation: 3,850m/12,600ft to 4,000m/13,000ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Walking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
September 18: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp. After breakfast, we’ll leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elevation 4,250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elevation 4,050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp with views of the summit in the distance.
- Elevation: 4,000m/13,000ft to 4,700m/15,350ft
- Distance: 9km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
September 19: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp. Very early in the morning (between midnight and 2 a.m.), we’ll continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We’ll head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on Mt Kilimanjaro’s crater’s rim. This will be the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point we’ll stop for a short rest and hope to be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, we may encounter snow all the way on the one-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak, we will have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and on the continent of Africa.
From the summit we’ll begin our descent straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. We’ll camp at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
- Elevation: 4,700m/15,350ft to 5,895m/19,340ft
- Down to 3,090m/10,150ft
- Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
September 20: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
After breakfast we’ll continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive our summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). Vehicles will be waiting for at Mweka gate to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi (around 60 minutes).
- Elevation: 3,090m/10,150ft to 1,680m/5,500ft
- Distance: 10km/6mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: Breakfast
September 21: Layover or rest day. Adventurers can explore more of Tanzania (Moshi and Arusha) on their own.
September 22: Airport transfer & Departure flight from Kilimanjaro Airport to Accra.