7 Days, Mt Kilimanjaro – Machame Route

Kilimanjaro Machame Route is the second most popular route, 26 km long, and it is considered the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. With a gradual ascend through the forest you emerge to see wide views of the moorland on Shira plateau, Kibo and Western Breach. The different kinds of vegetation found along the route make it the most sceneric route. We are approaching the summit with an acclimatization day by walking in the same heights (Barafu Camp to Karanga Valley Camp), and another day by stopping at Karranga Valley camp (we are one of few tour operators offering this). There are no mountain huts on this route; the accommodation is in mountain tents.

Kilimanjaro Machame Route done in six days is physically challenging for most people. The last two days (the trek from Barranco to Barafu and then the overnight trek to the summit) require mental and physical toughness, due to the high altitude and short amount of time to rest before the overnight summit attempt.

Please Note: That we only organize private treks, there will be only yourself and your travel partner(s) on the tour!

This itinerary starts and ends in Arusha or Moshi. An additional days stay in Arusha can be booked for an extra.

Day 1: Arrival

You will be met at the International Airport by your Driver/Guide and our representative. We will take you to the Mount Meru Game Lodge charming lodge is situated at the sole of majestic Mt Meru and provides wonderful views. Watch wild animals in their natural habitat at the lodge’s attached game sanctuary. Our Kilimanjaro Expert will come to meet you and to provide you with a briefing on your climb.

Dinner and Overnigt at Mount Meru Game Lodge.

Day 2: Arusha – Machame Gate – Machame Camp

After breakfast we’ll transfer you to the Machame Park Gate (5,870 ft./1,790 Mts.). After registering with the park authority, we’ll begin our climb through the lush forest. Trekkers will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above, and many even see black & white colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys as they hike along the knotted roots We’ll continue on to some heath land before reaching our overnight camp at Machame Camp (9,875 feet, 5-7 hours of walking), just above the forest zone. The trek is quite long, thus not steep.

All meals included.

Day 3: Mt Kilimanjaro – Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Today’s segment of the ascent will continue across beautiful heath land and afro-alpine moorland with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Peak. We begin up the steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, and trees of Giant Heather and Erica. Scramble around large boulders as you enter the moorland zone, marked by lobelia and senecia plants, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards, which protect wild alpine flowers growing at their bases. We’ll overnight at Shira Camp (12,615 feet, 4-5 hours of walking).

All meals included.

Day 4: Mt Kilimanjaro – Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

We’ll draw nearer the peak as we get closer to the Lava Tower. The trek becomes a bit more strenuous as the trail steepens on the approach to the lava Tower, a 300 foot tall volcanic plug which marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet. In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a col (flat area) enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (SenecioKilimanjari), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia. Then we slowly ascent to our overnight stop at Barranco Camp (12,990 feet, 5-6 hours of walking).

All meals included.

Day 5: Mt Kilimanjaro – Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

The day will begin with a descent into the Gorge, before we climb its eastern wall where we will enjoy views of Kilimanjaro’s ice fields, an equatorial anomaly. We will continue trekking following the lava ridge to the Barafu Camp. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting as a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight.

Barafu Camp (15,225 feet, 6-7 hours of walking)

Day 6: Mt Kilimanjaro – Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

Just after midnight we start of a challenging trek(12-18 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 12:00 to 1am, passing between the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers to the rim at Stella Point. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to –10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at the summit. As dawn nears, we’ll summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet. Uhuru will be the culmination of – and the reward for – 6-7 hours of strenuous hiking. We’ll then descend back to Barafu Camp, resting for a while before continuing our descent to Mweka Camp (10,105 feet, 3-4 hours of walking on the descent).

All meals included.

Day 7: Mt Kilimanjaro – Mweka Camp to Park Gate – Arusha

We’ll make our final descent to the park gate, a walk of about 2 to 3 hours. After bidding our farewells to our guide and porters, we’ll take you to Arusha or Moshi for extension.