Kilimanjaro Climbing through the MACHAME ROUTE

Day 1: Machame Gate (1490m) – Machame Camp (2980m)

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft
Distance: 11 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. 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. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Machame Camp

Day 2: Machame Camp (2980m) – Shira Camp (3840m)

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
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. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
Habitat: Heath
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Shira Camp

Day 3: Shira (at 3840m) – Lava Tower (at 4630m) – Barranco camp (at 3950m)

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower
Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance: 3 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine 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. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp 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.
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Barranco Camp

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3950m) – Karanga Camp (3950m)

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Karanga Camp

Day 5: Karanga Camp (3959m) – Barafu Hut (4600m)

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. 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.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Barafu Camp

Day 6: Summit Attempt (Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp )

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

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. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.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 the 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 from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Duration: 14 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Mweka Camp

Day 7: Mweka camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1980m)

Stop At: Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Region
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight at Moshi or Arusha

Departure Point :

Dar Express Bus Stand, Boma Rd, Tanzania
Traveler pickup is offeredAirports

• Kilimanjaro International Airport, Kilimanjaro Airport Rd, Tanzania
• Arusha Airport, Arusha, Tanzania

Departure Time :

8:30 AM

Return Detail :

Returns to original departure point

Hotel Pickup :

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.