6-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route
Let the excitement build as you preview your unforgettable journey up Mount Kilimanjaro!
Day 1: Arrival Day
You will be picked up from the airport and taken to the
hotel in Moshi for orientation. Your guides will be there to
provide you with details on your trek and will also check
your trekking gear.
Hotel: Kilimanjaro Crane Hotel
Day 2: Moshi-Machame Gate-Machame Hut
In the morning we will transfer you from your hotel to Machame Gate.
This will be a one-hour drive. We will pick up the park passes, sign in, and
weigh our luggage before heading off to the frst camp. The frst section
of the route climbs steadily and involves real jungle-bashing through a
magnifcent forest. This start is a good introduction to Kilimanjaro with
prime examples of the forest that laces the foot of the mountain though
is often wet and muddy underfoot. We will have our Dinner and overnight
at Machame camp (3100m).
Trekking Time: 4-6 hours
Distance: 9 km
Altitude Gain: 740
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Machame Camp- Shira Camp
The route continues up through the forest until we are at the
steep ascent on the Shira Plateau where there are rewarding
views of the mountain. Looking back, you will see Mt.Meru rising
high above Arusha town. We camp at Shira caves (3840m), and
will have an evening walk of 100m high for altitude
acclimatization (Walk high and sleep low).
Trekking Time: 4-6
Distance: 9 km
Altitude Gain: 740m
Day 4: Shira Camp-Baranco Camp
After breakfast we start a day by walking on high moorland, the
landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the
southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the lava Tower
and the fnal section of the Western Breach and fnally reach camp
at Barranco camp (3900m). The day has been spent at an altitude
(up to 4600m), but we have also followed the mountaineering code
of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to avoid altitude sickness.
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
Distance: 15 km
Altitude Gain: 60 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Baranco Camp – Barafu Camp
We leave slowly, crossing the foor of the great Barranco Valley
and up the Barranco wall and continue the trek on the South
Circuit path through the Karanga Valley. We then slowly trek (7
hours) to Barafu Hut (4600m). From Barafu you will have
excellent views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Barafu Hut is
situated on an exposed and dangerous ridge, so it is necessary
to familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark. We will have
our dinner, rest and prepare for summit night.
Trekking Time: 7-8 Hours
Distance: 9km
Altitude Gain: 800 m
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Barafu Camp, Uhuru Peak (Summit) & Mweka Camp
We start our ascent by torchlight around midnight so that we can be up
on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree
has some graded zigzags and a slow but steady pace will take us to
Stella Point (5735m.) in about 5-6 hours. We will rest there for a short
time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling
strong can make the 2-hour round trip from here along the Crater rim to
Uhuru Peak (5895m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice
cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to the
Barafu campsite is surprisingly fast, and after lunch and other
refreshments, we continue to descend to reach our fnal campsite
(3100m.) Here, you will take in the breathtaking beauty of the forest
surrounding the crowded campsite (11-14 hours walking).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Mweka camp to Mweka Gate
After breakfast, we fnish the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate. Your
last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s
cloud forest. Our vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka
Gate to take you back to Moshi. At Mweka Gate gate you sign your name
and details in a register book. This is also where successful climbers
receive their summit certifcates. Those climbers who reach Stella Point
are issued with green certifcates and those who reach Uhuru Peak
(5895m), receive Golden certifcates. You now drive back to Moshi for a
long overdue hot shower, dinner descent bed, and celebrations!!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Kilimanjaro Crane Hotel
Nightly accommodations (2 nights) in Moshi include bed
and breakfast at Kilimanjaro Crane Hotel or a similar one
Inclusions
- Transportation to and from your selected route
- Transfer from Airport/Bus station in Moshi on arrival and return to airport/Bus station after the climb
- Quality, Waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tent (Double Occupancy)
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Certifed, experienced, English-speaking mountain guides
- All Tanzanian National Park Fees
- Government Climbing Taxes
- Climbing permits
- All hot meals prepared by our cook while on the mountain
- Guides, Porters and Cook Salaries
- Fair and ethical treatment of Porters
- Enough porters to carry your luggage
- Safety Equipment: Emergency oxygen, pulse ox meter
- Hot drinks at every meale ox meter
- Water provided on climb, mineral water for the frst day and boiled water every day
- Emergency rescue fees
- Personal Summit Certifcate signed by the National Park and your Guide
Exclusions
- Personal items and toiletries
- Travel Insurance
- International & Domestic Flight
- Tips For The Crew
- Day trips or safaris after the Kilimanjaro Climb
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- All travel documents needed for the trip
- Flight booking instructions
- Immunizations
- Fitness requirements
- Equipment needed
- Packing essentials
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