7 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking – Machame Route

Tour Overview

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1. 1
   Day 1 Machame Gate to Machame Camp

   Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
   Distance: 11 km
   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
   Habitat: Rain Forest
   Pick up from your hotel in Arusha Transfer to Machame Gate (1,800m.) and follow a ridge through dense montane forest. This is the richest forested area on the mountain and also the zone from where 96 % of the water on Kilimanjaro originates. On sunny days, and especially in the dry season, this section is very lush and beautiful; it can also be a very muddy experience, particularly if it has rained recently! We have lunch at ‘Halfway Clearing’, a small opening in the trees, and continue climbing steadily. The gradient becomes gentler as the forest slowly merges into giant heather close to the next camp near the ruins of Machame Hut (3,000m.). We may get our first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo if the evening clouds permit. [6-8 hours walking].

   • Trekking from Machame Gate to Machame Camp

   B, L, D Machame Camp (2,835m)
2. 2
   Day 2 Machame Camp to Shira Camp

   Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
   Distance: 5 km
   Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
   Habitat: Moorland
   A shorter day begins by climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semi-circular cliff known as Picnic Rock. There are excellent views of Kibo and the jagged rim of the Shira Plateau from here, and it is a good rest point too! The trail continues less steeply to reach the Shira Plateau. We camp near Shira Hut (3,840m.) which has some of the most stunning views on Kilimanjaro; close to the huge volcanic cone of Kibo, the spectacular rock formations of Shira Plateau, and looking across Mt. Meru floating on the clouds. [4-6 hours walking].

   • Trek to Shira Camp

   B, L, D Shira Camp (3,850m)
3. 3
   Day 3 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
   A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch, near the Lava Tower junction (4,550 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,900 m.), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. [5-7 hours walking].

   • Trek to Lava Tower and descend to Barranco Camp

   B, L, D Barranco Camp (3,976m)
4. 4
   Day 4 Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

   Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
   Distance: 5 km
   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga (4,000 m.), the last water point on the approach to Barafu, in a narrow valley. There is plenty of time to rest, or for a short optional acclimatization walk in the afternoon up the valley above the camp. [4-5 hours walking].

   • Climb Barranco Wall and trek to Karanga Camp

   B, L, D Karanga Camp (3,995m)
5. 5
   Day 5 Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

   Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
   Distance: 4 km
   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   A short but steep climb out of Karanga, and an easy path on compacted scree with wide views to reach Mweka Junction (4,150 m.). We then climb steadily to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m.) and continue to the plateau at the bottom of the South-East valley (4,800 m.). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before an early night. [4-5 hours walking].

   • Trek to Barafu Camp

   B, L, D Barafu Camp (4,673m)
6. 6
   Day 6 Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

   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
   The journey to the summit of a mountain is a remarkable experience that begins under the cover of darkness, guided by the faint glow of torchlight. As climbers ascend the rugged terrain, the path becomes a series of zig-zags through volcanic scree, a challenging but rewarding endeavor. Reaching Stella Point in time to witness the sunrise is a moment of awe, offering a brief respite before the final push to Uhuru Peak. The descent, though rapid, is a time to reflect on the accomplishment and the majestic natural beauty that, despite exhaustion, leaves a lasting impression on those who undertake this adventure.

   • Summit attempt (Uhuru Peak)
   • Descent to Mweka Camp

   B, L Mweka Camp (3,110m)
7. 7
   Day 7 Mweka Camp to Your Hotel in Moshi/Arusha

   Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
   Habitat: Rain Forest
   A sustained descent on a well-constructed path through a lovely tropical forest alive with birds’ songs and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m). Here we sign out from the national park before walking on for a further 15 minutes through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village, where our vehicle awaits to transfer you to your hotel.

   • Descent from Mweka Camp
   • Transfer to hotel

   B, L None (End of tour)

Meals: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

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