Machame Route gives a diverse landscape and fantastic views offer a unique experience to test your will power, fitness finesse, and mental strength. The route takes you through lush rainforest, where colobus monkeys roam, into heath and moorland, with its many ferns and ericas, until finally reaching the icy caps of the mountain top. Varying altitudes offer a good environment for acclimatization, enhancing your chances of reaching the summit. Overnights on these routes is in the tents.
Day 0; Arrival Kilimanjaro Airport – Arusha
At Kilimanjaro Airport you will be met by our transfer driver, who will take you to the Tulia hotel and Spa or similar in Arusha. The rest of the day is for you to relax and prepare for your upcoming trip. You can also opt to visit the town of Arusha. In the late afternoon, our Kilimanjaro guide will meet you at the Hotel to brief you on your upcoming trek and check your equipment. Bed and breakfast included
Day 1; Arusha – Machame Gate 1790 m – Machame Camp 3010 m
Altitude: ↑ 1,220 m
Walking time: 5-7h
Early After breakfast you will be picked up at the hotel and taken to the entrance gate of Kilimanjaro National Park - Machame gate. While your guide is busy with the registration forms, you can watch the mountain team prepare for the climb and once this is all done, your Kilimanjaro adventure will begin. In no time you will be deep within the magnificent mountain rainforest with ancient trees, primeval ferns, liana, lichen, and moss that carpets the ground and drapes from the trees. You will hear and with a little luck, even spot the beautiful black and white colobus monkeys in the treetops. After 5 to 6 hours, you will reach today’s destination – the Machame Camp which is situated just above the tree line at 3010m. Here, at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro, you will have your first dinner followed by an overnight stay in tents. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included
Day 2; Machame Camp 3010 m – New Shira Camp 3845 m
Altitude: ↑ 835 m
Walking time: 4-6h
The day starts, the path steepens and the landscape changes into moor- and heathland and the open landscape allows you to see the impressive mountain range. Today’s stage is shorter than the previous day and you will arrive at the New Shira Camp by mid-afternoon. The camp has a breath-taking view of the mountain and during sunset, the evening sun lights the rock face and glacier of Kibo. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Day 3; New Shira Camp 3845m – Lava Tower 4640m – Barranco Camp 3960m
Altitude: ↑ 795 m ↓ 680 m
Walking time: 6-7h
The task today, you need to climb about 800 m but you will be camping at an elevation only slightly higher than the previous night. This will allow your body to acclimatize better. The trek begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower 4640 m. The vegetation becomes sparser as the landscape changes to an afro-alpine desert. The route passes through the sweeping Barranco Valley with its lobelia and giant Senecias plants. After 6 to 7 hours, you will arrive at the most beautiful camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 4; Barranco Camp 3960m – Barafu Camp 4640m
Altitude: ↑ 680 m ↓ 50 m
Walking time: 5-7h
The stretch starts with the climb of the “Barranco Wall”. Safety is utmost and your guides will assist you wherever necessary. Following the ridge, as it traverses up and down, you can enjoy the splendid views of the south glacier of Kibo. In the Karanga Valley, you will have lunch, followed by a 2 to 3 hours climb to Barafu Camp 4640m. Once at the camp, you can relax, have dinner and call it an early night.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Day 5; Barafu Camp 4640m – Uhuru Peak 5895m – Mweka Camp 3080m
Altitude: ↑ 1,255 m ↓ 2,815 m
Walking time: 10-14h
The Big Day, after hot tea and a light snack, the climb begins at around midnight. By torchlight, you will climb the screes of Kibo. After 5 to 7 hours of ascending in the dark you will arrive at Stella Point, the crater rim of Mt Kilimanjaro. Another 1 to 2 hours climb along the crater ridge will lead you to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Here you will see Kilimanjaro in all its glory, enjoying the 360° view over the landscape below as the sun rises. You are now standing on the “Roof of Africa”. The simple descent runs almost along the same route and shortly before midday, you should arrive at Barafu Camp, where the porters and the cook will be waiting for you. After a warm meal and a well-deserved break of approximately 1 to 2 hours, you will be on your way down to Mweka Camp 3080m where supper and a well-earned rest await you. Breakfast, Lunch , and Dinner includes
Day 6; Mweka Camp 3080m – Mweka Gate 1630m – Arusha
Altitude: ↓ 1,450 m to Finish
Walking time: 2-3h
The final leg of your astonishing adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. Then a gentle 2 to 3 hours’ descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate. After saying goodbye to your mountain crew you will be met at the gate by our transfer driver and taken back to the hotel of your choice in Arusha or Moshi town. This will mark the end of your Kili Trekking with us. Alternatively, you may have arranged for wildlife game drive & Safari to the National park of your choice. In this last day Hotel is not included
