Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing – Machame Route

DAY 1: ARUSHA -MACHAME GATE-MACHAME CAMP

•Machame Gate to Machame Camp
•Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
•Distance: 11 km
•Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest

Meet your professional Mountain guide at your Hotel in Arusha town at 08:00am, then drive to Machame gate, the journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery, picnic lunch on the way. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro (Mountain)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• In or near Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

DAY 2: MACHAME CAMP-SHIRA CAMP

•Machame Camp to Shira Camp
•Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
•Distance: 5 km
•Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
•Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends, picnic lunch on the way. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro (Mountain)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• In or near Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP-BARANCO CAMP

•Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
•Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
•Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. picnic lunch on the way. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro (Mountain)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• In or near Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

DAY 4: BARANCO CAMP-BARAFU CAMP

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
•Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
•Distance: 9km
•Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. Picnic lunch on the way.

At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro (Mountain)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• In or near Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

DAY 5: BARAFU-KIIMANJARO SUMMIT UHURU PEAK-MWEKA CAMP

•Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
•Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to
10,000ft)
•Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

•Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise.

Then continuing down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Dinner and overnight at Mweka camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro (Mountain)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• In or near Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

DAY 6: MWEKA CAMP-MWEKA GATE-ARUSHA

•Mweka Camp to Moshi
•Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your 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).

From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Arusha.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro (Mountain)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks