6 DAY CLIMB - Machame Route

6 DAY CLIMB - Machame Route

The Machame route is one of the most beautiful and most popular trekking tours on Kilimanjaro. The trail starts in the lush rainforest with views of Mount Meru, Shira Ridge as well the main summit of the Kilimanjaro – Kibo peak. The Machame route contains more steep passages at higher altitudes than for example the Marangu or Rongai routes and requires better fitness and determination from the mountain climber, but it’s worth it. The terrain is diverse and interesting and the views are spectacular.

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1 Machame Gate (1790m) – Machame Camp (3010m)

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to the Kilimanjaro National Park – a 45-minute drive. While your guide is registering, you can watch the mountain team preparing – it is always impressive ‘what’ and particularly ‘how’ everything is carried up the mountain. Once this is all packed up, your adventure will begin; after a few minutes you will be deep within the forest with ancient trees, ferns, mosses and black and white colobus monkeys frolicking in the treetops. After 5 – 6 hours you will reach – Machame Camp –situated just above the forest line at 3000m. Arriving here, the porters have already set up your tents and warm water for washing is ready.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight - camping

Day 2: Day 2 Machame Camp (3010m) – Shira Camp (3845m)

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
After an early morning start, the path steepens and the vegetation changes into a moorland with shrubs such as hardy Ericas. Today’s stage is shorter than the previous day and by mid-afternoon, you will arrive at the campsite at the Shira Plateau. From the camp you will have breath-taking views of the mountain and evening light on the rock face and glacier of Kibo as the sun sets.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight - camping

Day 3: Day 3 Shira Camp – Lava Tower Hut (4640m) – Barranco Camp (3950m)

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Today will be a day for ups and downs. You will ascend almost 700m but descend again after reaching the imposing Lava Tower (4640m). This will help with acclimatisation as you will reach a height of over 4 500m. You will move through different vegetation zones. After reaching Lava Tower the path traverses Barranco Valley dotted with the weird-looking senecios. Barranco Camp is reached after 6 – 7 hours. Considered the most beautiful camp on the mountain, the camp is situated just below the imposing Barranco Wall. Rest and refuel tonight.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight - camping

Day 4: Day 4 Barranco Camp (3960m) – Barafu Camp (4640m)

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
The first section of today’s route is to scale the ‘Barranco Wall’. Use your hands and feet. Safety is paramount and you will be secured if necessary, but it looks more daunting than it actually is. The trail continues with many up and down sections, crossing a few streams, winding and climbing stopping for lunch in the Karanga Valley. After lunch there will be another 2 – 3 hours climb before you reach Barafu Camp (4640m). Tonight, drink a lot of fluids, try to eat and go to bed early to rest enough before tomorrow’s summit trek.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight - camping

Day 5: Day 5 Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m)

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
You will be woken in the midnight hours with a cup of tea and a biscuit. Dressed warmly and geared with a headlight and your daypack you will set off in the darkness. After 5 – 7 hours of ‘pole pole’, you will reach the rim of the crater, Stella Point. Another one to two hours of going slowly along the crater’s edge and you will arrive at the summit – Uhuru Peak (5895m). Looking down over the surrounding landscape below in the early morning light, will make you feel on top of the world. You have now reached the ‘Roof of Africa’. The descent should be easy but dusty, as the volcanic ash will now have defrosted. Returning on the same route you should arrive at Barafu Camp within a few hours where the porters are waiting with food and tea. Resting for an hour or two, you will continue down to reach Mweka Camp (3080m) for your overnight stay.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight - camping

Day 6: Day 6 Mweka Camp (3080m) – Mweka Gate (1630m) – Moshi

Pass By: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Last day on the mountain. After breakfast, the crew will celebrate your achievement with a traditional song as part of their farewell ceremony. You will present them with their tips. Setting off and descending into the moist green forest, it should take about three hours to reach the gate. Back at the Keys Hotel in Moshi hot showers and cold beers wait. There you can revive yourself and celebrate your achievement.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight - camping