8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Airport pick-up

Guests participating in the climb will be picked up by our representative from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transferred to their accommodation in Arusha. Upon arrival, participants will receive a short briefing for the climb scheduled for the next day, during which their kits and necessary equipment will be checked.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Arusha Tourist Inn Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Arusha (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Arusha- Machame Hut Camp (10, 000')

Following breakfast, we'll collect you from your hotel in Arusha and embark on a 1-hour drive to Machame gate (10,000 ft) for registration. Here, you'll meet the rest of the crew, including cooks and porters, as we all prepare for the climb. Our journey commences through the rainforest and towering heathers, a trek lasting 6 hours until we reach our first overnight camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Shira Camp (12, 480')

This will be a relatively short day but characterized by steep, rocky, and dusty trails. The hike progresses slowly, punctuated by frequent breaks to allow for acclimatization. The terrain is largely devoid of vegetation, offering minimal shade from the heat. Along the way, you'll traverse numerous ridges and catch sight of the first of many Senecias.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Barranco Camp (13, 000')

Our ascent begins with navigating over boulders and sparse rocks, gradually transitioning into a steady uphill climb towards Lava Tower. Here, we pause for lunch around noon. For those inclined, there's the option to ascend Lava Tower itself, reaching a height of 14,850 feet (where you may begin to experience a mild headache due to the altitude change). From Lava Tower, we descend for approximately 2 hours along dusty and rocky trails to reach Barranco Camp at 13,000 feet.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Karanga Camp (13, 450')

We commence our ascent by scrambling up the Barranco Wall for an hour and a half. This involves a steep climb where you'll use your hands to steady yourself, akin to rock climbing but not as challenging. At the summit of the wall, a breathtaking vista of the Barranco valley and the previous night's campsite unfolds before you. Afterward, we traverse the lush valley, the final water point on our journey up the mountain, navigating its undulating terrain.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Barafu Hut Camp (14, 200')

This leg of the journey involves a short but steep uphill climb across barren terrain, characterized by numerous boulders and shattered rocks. On your left, you'll catch glimpses of the Decken glaciers. Continuing onward, we'll navigate a very steep ridge until we encounter a rocky section requiring more scrambling, lasting approximately 1.5 hours. Our next campsite will be situated on large rocks with steep cliff faces. We'll conclude the evening early, as we need to rise at 11:00 pm for the summit push.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Summit Day and Mweka Hut

Our summit push begins around midnight, navigating steep rocks for the first hour before entering a snow-covered area with vistas of glaciers above. If it's a moonlit night, you may opt to turn off your headlamp and enjoy a guided walk under the moon's illumination—an unforgettable experience. Over the next two hours, we'll steadily progress towards Stella Point, taking regular breaks every 15 minutes as the climb becomes increasingly mentally and physically demanding.

Upon reaching Stella Point, we'll encounter lava fields resembling loose sand. This part of the ascent is both enjoyable and frustrating, as each step forward may be met with a slide backward, making progress challenging.

Following breakfast, we'll ascend to Uhuru Peak for approximately 1 hour, timed to coincide with the sunrise over the Mawenzi peaks. We anticipate reaching Uhuru Peak (19,370 ft) around 6-7 am. We'll then commence our steep and rigorous descent via Stella Point to Barafu Hut Camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Descent and back to Arusha

Today's hike will span approximately 4 to 5 hours as we descend 4,500 feet to reach the park gate. At the park gate office, we'll check out and receive our Kilimanjaro climbing certificates. Following this, we'll enjoy lunch and bid farewell to our mountain staff. After lunch, we'll embark on a scenic drive through beautiful coffee plantations and small villages of the Chaga people back to Arusha. Upon arrival, you'll be dropped off, to your hotel or airport.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.