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 are in the tents.
Day 0; Kilimanjaro Airport – Arusha
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you will be greeted by our transfer driver and taken to the Tulia hotel and Spa (https://www.tuliahotelandspa.com/) or similar in Arusha. The rest of the day is for you to enjoy at leisure – relax at the hotel pool or explore the town of Arusha. In the late afternoon, you will meet by one of our Kilimanjaro team members, who will brief you on your upcoming trek. Bed and Breakfast included.
Day 1; Arusha – Machame Gate (1,790m) – Machame Camp (3,010m)
After breakfast, you will be picked up at your lodge and taken to the Kilimanjaro National park gate-Machame. After completion of all the necessary paperwork, your adventure commences. Your destination for today is the Machame Camp. Soon you will be hiking through the lush rainforest with its large ancient trees, primeval ferns, and endemic flowers, like the Impatiens Kilimanjaro. You might also spot black and white colobus monkeys, peeking through the leaves. Reaching the campsite you will have time to relax, stretch your legs and enjoy a hearty meal, before snuggling into your tent for the night. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Day 2; Machame Camp (3,010m) – Shira Camp (3,845m)
Today’s an early start is not due to a long stretch, but rather to allow you to reach Shira Camp at around mid-afternoon. As you walk you will notice the dramatic change in the landscape – from lush and green rainforest to dry moor and heathland. Arriving at your campsite a beautiful view of the mountain range opens up before you. The glaciers of Kibo glistens in the golden hue of the setting sun as you enjoy another lovingly cooked meal before climbing into your tent.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner included
Day 3; Shira Camp (3,845m) – Lava Tower Hut (4,640m) – Barranco Camp (3,960m)
Acclimatization is on today’s menu. You will climb roughly 800 m, but sleep on a level not much higher than the previous night. Starting at Shira Plateau, you will make your way up to Lava Tower. Here you will rest a while, before continuing through the Barranco Valley to the beautiful Barranco Camp. The trek will take approximately 6 to 7 hours, but the various distractions of the alpine desert will keep your mind off the stretch still ahead. A well-deserved dinner and overnight await you at Barranco Camp.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner included
Day 4; Barranco Camp (3,960m) – Karanga Camp (4,035m)
Today the Barranco Wall stands before you to conquer. Some stages will require you to use your hands for a better grip, but no actual climbing is necessary. Your guide will be with you every step of the way to lend a helping hand. The route with its numerous ascents and descents allows for further acclimatization and leads you to the mountain ridge. Walking along the ridge you can take in the beautiful landscape with its stunning contrasts of desert and vegetation, before finally reaching the cloudy Karanga Camp. Your trek will take between 3 to 4 hours, leaving more than enough time to rest and play a game of rummy. Evening meal and overnight at Karanga Camp.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner included
Day 5; Karanga Camp (4,035m) – Barafu Camp (4,640m)
Awakening to the sunlight dancing off the Kibo Summit, you will enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting out to today’s destination – Barafu Camp. Most of the day will be spent walking through very dry desertic terrain, with Kibo, ever-present on your left side. After 3 to 4 hours you will reach Barafu Camp, where you will have an early dinner and night as the highlight of your trip is only a few short hours away…
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner included
Day 6; Barafu Camp (4,640m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp (3,080m)
At around midnight you will be woken up by your guide with a warm cup of tea and biscuits to get you ready for your final ascent. The moon and your headlamps will be your only source of light as you make your way up to Stella Point (5,730m), reaching the crater rim in about 5 to 7 hours. Another 1 to 2 hours will take you to Uhuru Peak, where you can enjoy the sun rising over the African landscape, casting a pink hue over the snowy peak and making the glaciers sparkle like diamonds around you. After capturing this incredible view and achievement on film, you will start your descent along the same route back to Barafu Camp, where your team awaits you with some snacks and refreshments. Rested and relaxed you will make your way to Mweka Camp for your last night on the highest mountain in Africa. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner included
Day 7; Mweka Camp (3,080m) – Mweka Gate (1,630m) – Arusha
A delicious breakfast is followed by a traditional farewell ceremony from your mountain crew, before you start your final stretch down the mountain. You will once more trek through the rainforest, giving you another opportunity to spot the cheeky colobus monkeys, finally reaching the Mweka Gate. You will be met at the gate and taken back to the Tulia hotel and Spa or similar for a long shower and relaxed. This will mark the end of your trekking adventure. Bed and Breakfast included
