Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Itinerary Description

Day 0: Arrival, Tour Briefing and Resting

• You will be picked up from the airport in Moshi (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and be transferred to the booked hotel in Arusha
• Get the safari general briefing from the prepared safari consultant/guide
• Dinner and overnight at the booked hotel in Arusha

Day 1: Transfer to Machame Gate for a climb

• Start climbing from Machame Gate (1,800 m) after walking through attractive banana and coffee farms of Machame village
• Climb through montanne forest enjoying the beautiful mountainous view
• Have lunch at ‘Halfway Clearing’, a small opening in the trees
• Continue walking till Machame Hut (3,000 m) for resting and spending the night

Day 2: Climb Through Shira Plateau To Shira Hut

• Start climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known as Picnic Rock
• Enjoy the excellent views of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau
• The trail continues less steeply (4-6 hours walking) to reach Shira Hut (3,840m) with a view of Mt Meru floating on the clouds
• Rest and camp at the hut for overnight stay

Day 3: Climb through Lava Tower Junction to Barranco Camp

• After an early morning breakfast, trek through semi desert and rocky landscape to reach Lava Tower (4630m) after 5-7 hours of walking
• Packed lunch is served at the Tower
• After lunch and a bit resting, descend to the Barranco Campsite (3950m) for 2 hours walking
• Rest at the camp enjoying the sunset while dinner is served

Day 4: Climb Through Ice fields To Karanga Camp (4000m)

• Start climbing conquering the Great Barranco Wall to have view of the Heim glacier
• Continue through lush vegetation to reach Karanga Camp (4000m) for about 4-5 walking hours
• Rest and have refreshments while waiting for dinner

Day 5: Climb to Barafu Campsite (4600m)

• Trek out of Karanga camp to reach Mweka junction (4150m)
• Continue walking until Barafu campsite (4600m) about 2-3 hours
• The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before an early night
• It is recommended to sleep as early before 19:30

Day 6: Ascend To The Summit at Uhuru Peak (5895m)

• Wake up at 23:00 for some tea and covering yourself with warm layers of clothes
• Start ascending for the summit at 00:00 where within 6 hours will reach Stella Point (5,735 m)
• Rest enjoying the sunrise at Mawenzi
• Those who are still strong can make the two hour round trip along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m)
• After some photographs and feeling accomplished, start descending to Barafu
• After 3 walking hours, you will reach Mweka Hut (3100m)
• Have dinner and spend the night recuperating at the hut

Day 7: Retrace Through Forest to Mweka gate

• After breakfast and much celebrating, continue with the descend
• The trail through forest takes 3 hours to arrive at the Mweka gate
• Its where climbers will be awarded with certificates according to the reached level
• Stella Point hikers receive green certificates while Uhuru peak hikers receive golden certificates
• Retreat back to Mweka village about an hour walk where you will transfer to Moshi or Arusha for hot showers and resting