Machame Route

Day 0: arrival

After checking in at the airport (JRO) you will meet your driver who will take you to the hotel in Moshi. For the rest of your day, you can do anything you want such as relaxing by the pool or you can explore more of Moshi. Your guide will meet with you in the evening and they will check all of your equipment as well as giving you a briefing about the climb.

Day 1: ascent from Machame Gate (1,719m) to Machame Camp (3,010m)

Distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 6-7 hours

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to the Kilimanjaro National Park and to the Machame Gate which is 1,719 metres above sea level. The journey will take about 1 hour. After completing the paperwork that is necessary for you to fill in so that you can climb, your ascent can begin. In the first section, you will walk through a rainforest where you may be able to see local monkeys and other animals in the vegetation. In the higher altitudes, the forestation will be more dense. Approximately 5-6 hours later you will arrive at the first camp, Machame Camp, where you will spend your first night on the mountains sleeping in a tent.

Day 2: ascent from Machame Camp (2,780m) to Shira Camp (3,845m)

Distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours

After an early breakfast, you will start climbing and shortly after the environment around you will change to be bushier. It should help you be able to see the majestic mountains in front of you more clearly. The hike will be shorter than the previous day and early in the afternoon you will arrive at Shira Camp. From the camp, you can see a beautiful view of Kilimanjaro and the surrounding landscape. You can spend the rest of the day resting and relaxing. During the sunset, the rays of sunlight illuminate the mountains as well as the glacier on the volcano Kibo.

Day 3: ascent from Shira Camp (3,845m) across Lava Tower (4,640m) to Barranco Camp (3,960m)

Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 6-7 hours

On this day, you will ascend around 800m across Shira Plateau to Lava Tower but then you will descend back to a camp where the altitude is only a little higher at the camp which you stayed at last night. This day will help with acclimatisation so that you are ready to climb to the peak. The environment while you are ascending will be that of an alpine desert. When you are descending through Barranco Valley, you might be able to spot some fascinating plant life. After a 6-7 hour walk, you arrive in Barranco Camp.

Day 4: ascent from Barranco Camp (3,960m) to Karanga Camp (4,035m)

Distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours

The climb today will be short, but it is more exhausting due to the harsh terrain. You will start by climbing the Great Barranco Wall where in some parts you might even need to use your hands so that you can continue your ascent. Your safety is a priority and the guide will help you wherever needed. Afterwards, you will continue up and there will be small ascents and descents. During this, you can watch the southern glacier on Kibo. At the end, you will arrive in the pretty valley known as Karanga through which you will have to pass in order to get to the camp on the other side. In the afternoon, you will have enough time to rest so that you can collect your strength for the next day and you can enjoy the stunning landscape.

Day 5: ascent from Karanga Camp (4,035m) to Barafu Camp (4,640m)

Distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours

After breakfast in Karanga Valley, you will set out on a 3 hour hike to Barafu Camp which is 4,640m above sea level. The environment will, as on day 4, be an alpine desert. In the afternoon, you can relax before having an early dinner and sleeping lots to be prepared to climb to the peak on day 7. You will need to wake up early, so you’ll need to make sure to rest well.

Day 6: ascent from Barafu Camp (4,640m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895) and down to Mweka Camp (3,080m)

Distance: 12.5 km
Hiking time: 14–16 hours

This day is the day where you will ascend to Uhuru Peak- the tallest peak on Mt. Kilimanjaro. We will wake you up just before midnight and shortly after you will have a small snack before the summit push. At this hour, the volcanic ash is frozen which means that it is a little bit easier to climb up it. You await a night-time trek in the cold heights, where there is a lack of oxygen. Even though it may be difficult, there is a high chance that you will make it to the peak with us. At sunrise you will reach Stella Point, on the rim of the crater, from where the path isn’t so steep but due to the thin air it is still tiring and requires a slow pace of walking. After sunrise, it will get significantly warmer. After another 1-2 hours you will reach your goal- Uhuru Peak which is 5,895m above sea level. This is the highest point in Africa. Enjoy this moment and don’t forget to take a photo with the iconic sign signifying the peak of Kilimanjaro in the background! Our guides will be more than happy to take your picture.

The first part of the descent is down the same path as earlier. The volcanic ash, which has probably melted by now may be slightly slippery. After returning to Barafu Camp you will be given a hot mean as well as 1-2 hours to rest and then you will continue your descent along the Mweka Trail to Mweka Camp which is 3,080m above sea level. In this height, there is more oxygen so that you can rest better after the long climb. After dinner, you can go to sleep.

Day 7: descent from Mweka Camp (3,080m) to Mweka Gate (1,630m)

Distance: 9 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours

On this day you face a simple descent through a rainforest to Mweka Gate by the entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park which is 1,630m above sea level. After saying goodbye to your team, you will be driven to the hotel in Moshi where you can collect your things that you left before your journey and you will spend your last night there.