6 Days 5 Nights Kilimanjaro Machame Route
Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Climb to Machame Camp (LD)
Drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. The hike or climb passes through the village of Machame which is located at the base of the mountain. We leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a windy path up a ridge. At lower elevations, the trail can be tricky as its sometimes muddy hence slippery. Gaiters and hiking poles are a good idea here. We climb a bit more then we reach the Machame Camp.
— Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
— Distance: 11km/7mi
— Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
— Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Machame Camp
Day 2: Hike Machame Camp to Shira Camp (BLD)
After having breakfast we continue the glades of the rain forest as we climb on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we reach the Shira campsite.
— Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
— Distance: 5km/3mi
— Walking Time: 4-5 hours
— Habitat: Moorland
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Shira Camp
Day 3: Hike Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp (BLD)
From the Shira Plateau, we go eastern part up a ridge, passing the intersection towards the peak of Kibo Kilimanjaro. As we continue, our course changes to the South-East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after this tower, we reach the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although we end the day around the same elevation as when we began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the summit the day.
— Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
— Distance: 10km/6mi
— Walking Time: 5-6 hours
— Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Barranco Camp
Day 4: Hike Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (BLD)
After breakfast, we head to Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elev 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which links with the Mweka Trail. We head up to the Barafu Camp. Reaching here we would have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. We make camp with views of the summit in the distance.
— Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
— Distance: 9km/6mi
— Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
— Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Barafu Camp
Day 5: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp (BLD)
Early in the morning around 4 am, we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We head in a north-west direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the climb. We will stop for a short rest at Stella Point and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster climbers may view the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way to the summit.
Once at Uhuru Peak we have reached the highest point on Mt. Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and hiking poles for the loose gravel going down. We reach Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
— Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
— Down to 3090m/10,150ft
— Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
— Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
— Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Mweka Camp
Day 6: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi (B)
After breakfast, we resume the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificate. At lower elevations, it can be muddy and wet. Gaiters and hiking poles will help. T-shirts and shorts will possibly be plenty to wear, keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. From the gate, resume another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha.
— Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
— Distance: 10km/6mi
— Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
— Habitat: Forest
Meals included: Breakfast
