Conquer The Ultimate Snow Peak
Considered by the majority of our guides as the most beautiful route to Mt Kilimanjaro’s summit, Machame starts in the forest and has on a clear day views of the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro – Kibo peak. Machame is a camping route and is tougher than Rongai and Marangu routes as it is steeper.
After arriving at Kilimanjaro Airport, our friendly transfer driver will meet you and drive you to your charming accomodation in Moshi town or in Arusha city. Rest in the rest of the day sleeping or relaxing to reduce the long flight fatigue. Later you will have a meeting with our operations team and your guide who will give you all the safety and logistical information about the trip. They will share tips and safety information and check your gear to see if everything is ready. You will have nourishing dinner at your hotel and then a cozy night stay.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Machame Gate To Machame Camp
After breakfast at your hotel, our driver will take you and your group to the Kilimanjaro National Park. After your team is registered with the park authorities, you will set off and enter the forest. Surrounded by huge trees, you will hear birds and monkeys as you continue upwards towards Machame camp. It should take about six hours to exit the forest and reach the site at 3,010m. Warm washing water, tea and snacks will be waiting and soon supper will be ready. Enjoy your first night camping on Kilimanjaro.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Private Camping
Day 2: Machame Camp To Shira Camp
After a breakfast of hot porridge, eggs and fruit you will start off into a new vegetation zone – the moorland zone. Less trees, more views – you will see more of the mountain today. By mid afternoon you will reach Shira camp, the campsite for the night.
The site has great views – especially at sunset, when Kibo peak is bathed in afternoon light. Make sure to eat well tonight and drink enough fluids.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Private Camping
Day 3: Shira Camp To Barranco Camp
What goes up will come down. So it will be today. In order for your body to get adapted to higher altitude, you will ascend 700 m and return to a much lower elevation for the night. Today’s section will take you up over 4500 m to the Lava Tower and will return you to overnight at the beautiful Barranco Camp at just under 4000 m. The day will start with a long walk uphill to the Shira Plateau. The vegetation will change to a rock-strewn moon landscape at the Lava Tower but will change again as you descend into the Barranco valley. Here you will see the weird-looking senecios and giant lobelias again. After a hike of about seven hours, you should arrive at Barranco camp where hot tea and snacks will be ready.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Private Camping
Day 4: Barranco Camp To Barafu Camp
Today’s stretch starts with the scaling of the Barranco Wall. It looks daunting and is one of the steepest sections of the trail, but can be managed easier than expected. Safety is vital – use you hands for extra grip and listen to your guide. At the top, you will admire the breathtaking views. You will continue along the edge while admiring the views of Kibo peak’s glacier. You will break for lunch in the Karanga Valley. Here you can rest a while before another three hours’ hike to Barafu Camp at 4640 m. Arriving in the afternoon, there is time to rest, explore the camp or enjoy tea or coffee. Tonight will be an early night as you will wake up at midnight to start the climb to Kilimanjaro’s highest point Uhuru.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Private Camping
Day 5: Barafu Camp To Uhuru Peak, Then Descend
Rise and shine! You will wake up just before midnight, have a tea and a bite to eat before setting off towards Stella Point. It is a cold climb in the dark towards the highest point on the crater rim, but pole pole (slowly slowly) will get you there. After between five to seven hours, you will stand on the crater’s edge. Continue for another hour or two to stand at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, Uhuru peak. You will have a few minutes for hugs, photos and admiring the view of the sun’s rays on the landscape below, before starting the return. The descent is on the same path with which you came and will be dusty when the volcanic ash has started to defrost. You should reach Barafu Camp at around noon for lunch and a well-deserved rest. Continue downhill to Mweka Camp at 3080 m. Here is your stop for the night. Enjoy a hearty dinner before you go to rest.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Private Camping
Day 6: Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate
Your last day on the mountain. The last section follows a trail through the forest – it might be very slippery and muddy. After three hours you should arrive at Mweka Gate where you will say farewell to the crew. Our driver will be there to meet you and return you to civilisation. Back at the Meru View Lodge in Usa River, there are a pool, hot showers, clean clothes and cold drinks waiting for you. Tonight you will celebrate your success with dinner at the lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
