7 Days 6 nights Machame variation is the ideal schedule for this route
On the 5 nights 7 days Machame Route, the trek from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp is broken up in to two days, allowing for a short day just prior to Uhuru Peak attempt. This is very important for the climbers because the summit day starts very early, around midnight, so climbers are sleep deprived going into the toughest day on the mountain.
By having a short day before hand, trekkers can be better rested.
7 Days Machame Route Itinerary
Arrival
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred for overnight accommodation. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing, gear check and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
Machame Gate – Machame Camp
After breakfast your driver will take you from your hotel with be great and make drive to the Kilimanjaro National park gate. After completion of all the necessary paper work, your adventure commences. You destination for today is the Machame Camp, 5 – 6 hour hike. Soon you will be hiking through the lush rainforest with its large ancient trees, primeval ferns and endemic flowers,You might also spot black and white thumb less 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.
- Elevation: 5,400ft to 9,400ft
- Distance: 11 km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Accommodation: Machame Camp
- Meals Plan: Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Rain forest
Machame Camp – Shira Camp
Today’s 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.
- Elevation: 9,400ft to 12,500ft
- Distance: 5 km
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
- Accommodation: Shira campsite
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Moorland
Shira Camp– Lava Tower Hut – Barranco Camp
Acclimatization is on today’s menu, where you will climb roughly 700 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 (4,640m), where you will rest a while, before continuing through the Barranco Valley to the beautiful Barranco Camp. The trek will take approximately 6 – 7 hours, but the various distractions of the alpine desert as well as the Barranco Valley with its small lobelia plants and giant senecios, will keep your mind off the stretch still ahead. A well-deserved dinner and overnight await you at Barranco Camp.
- Elevation: 12,500ft to 13,000ft
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Accommodation: Barranco campsite
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Semi Desert
Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp
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 and 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, before reaching 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 – 4 hours, leaving more than enough time to rest and play a game of rummy. Evening meal and overnight at Karanga Camp.
- Elevation: 13,000ft to 13,100ft
- Distance: 5 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Accommodation: Karanga Valley campsite
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp
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 desert terrain, with Kibo ever-present on your left side. After 3-4 hours you will reach Barafu Camp, where you will have an early dinner and overnight as the highlight of your trip is only a few short hours away.
- Elevation:13,000ft to 13,100ft
- Distance: 4 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Accommodation: Barafu campsite
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Barafu Camp– Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp
At around midnight you will be awoken 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, reaching the crater rim in about 5 – 7 hours. Another 1 – 2 hours will take you to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), 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.
- Elevation: 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
- Accommodation: Mweka Hut
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Arctic
Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate
A scrumptious 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 in about 2 – 3 hours. You will be met at the gate and taken back to hotel for a long shower. The rest of the day is for you to enjoy at leisure and giving yourself a pat on the back for conquering the famous Kilimanjaro!
- Elevation: 10,000ft to 5,400ft
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
- Habitat: Rain Forest
Departure
After a much-needed night’s rest we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged airport transfers with us or a safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you from the hotel for your onward journey.