6-Day Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route Adventure

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Machame Gate

This Adventure began in Arusha where you will pick up from your hotel/lodge by the drive then it will be a good time to meet the guide and crew. The first day of trekking begins at Machame Gate normally 2 hour’s drive from Arusha lies the gate to the Machame route. At the gate, you will meet your trekking crew, your guide, porters and cook. There will be a flurry of activity as porters assemble gear for the trek as we complete park formalities. The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforests. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.

Machame Camp
Distance: | 11km / 7 mile
Approx. trekking time: | 5 – 7 hours
Zone: | Rainforest.

Main Destination:

Machame Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Shira Camp

On day two, you will rise early, since our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively steep as you enter the low alpine zone which is characterized by moorlands and grasslands. Shira Camp 2 sits on a plateau that provides you with the first views of Kibo in the North-West and Mount Meru in the East. Day two takes approximately 4-6 hours and covers a distance of 5.4km / 3.4 miles.

Shira Camp
Distance: | 5.4km / 3.4 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 5 hours
Zone: | Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Shira Cave

On day three, walking on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. You will traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp. The day has been spent at an altitude (up to 4600m). Although you end the day at a very similar elevation to when you started from Shira Camp, it is arguably one of the most important days on your trek as it gives you a chance to climb high and sleep low which is important for proper acclimatization.

Barranco Camp
Distance: | 10.8km / 6.7 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 8 hours
Zone: | Low alpine zone / High alpine zone.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Barranco Camp

Day four on the Machame Route begins by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. You will then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides you from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, you will head towards the Karanga Valley, which is your last stop for fresh water before the summit. Note: Trekkers on the seven-day route spend the night at Karanga Camp before continuing on to Barafu. This additional day is beneficial in terms of acclimatization.

Barafu Camp
Distance: | 8.5km / 5.3 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 8 hours
Zone: | High alpine zone.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Barafu Camp

Day five is summit night (and day)! You will start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. You will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. You should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit you. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround you and the views of jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes you to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). You will begin your descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on a steep slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Mweka Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Uhuru Peak
Distance: | 16.4km / 9.6 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 13hours – 15hours
Zone: | Glacial zone and all preceding zones.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Mweka Gate

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to Arusha Town. You will be dropped at your hotel or lodge in Arusha. This make end of your tour with us

● Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
● Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
● Distance: 10 km/6 miles
● Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
● Habitat: Rain Forest.

Main Destination:

Mweka Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro)

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.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.