Overview
Day by day
Price
As Machame route itself voted as the most scenic climbing route due to the stunning views and the impressive ascent along the Barranco wall and other highlights you see. The route has also well-maintained hiking trails.
The ascent via the Machame route can take a total of 6 days, instead of popular seven days depends on the level of fitness your body ability to acclimatize. In this case, you don’t take an extra day in the middle between Barranco Camp and Barafu Camp and day four of this route will correspond with day five and six of the Lemosho route.
- You visit
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)(Start) Kilimanjaro Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)(End)
- Highlights
- Mountain climbing
- Vehicle used
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
At 0800 hrs, drive from the Hotel in Moshi or Arusha to Machame National Park Gate, it takes about forty minutes from Moshi. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. After registration and all the formalities, with the porters and guides you leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up on a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
-Elevation (m): 1830m to 3100m
-Elevation (ft): 6000ft to 10,200ft
-Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
-Habitat: Montane Forest
Lunch, Dinner
Machame Camp
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After AM, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, In the midday you arrive at Shira for Hot lunch and siesta until afternoon when you take a short walk to Shira Hut/cave.
-Elevation (m): 3100m to 3840m
-Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 12,600ft
-Walking Time: 4-5 hours
-Habitat: Moorland
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Shira Camp
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Lower alpine desert From the Shira Plateau, we continue northeast up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South east towards the Lava Tower, where we will be having picnic hot lunch, you can see second junction which leads up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 meters. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 meters. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
-Elevation (m): 3840m to 4630m to 3860m
-Elevation (ft): 12,600ft to 12,700ft
-Walking Time: 5-7 hours
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Barranco Camp
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elev 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp with views of the summit in the distance. Arrive for lunch and take an afternoon siesta following with an early dinner served after summit briefing (details on how best to prepare for summit night) and get some rest before attempting the summit that same night.
-Elevation: 13,044 ft to 15331ft meters(3900m to 4600m)
-Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
-Distance: 9km/6mi
-Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
-Habitat: Alpine Desert
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Barafu Camp
Day 5: Barafu High Camp to Summit to Millenium Camp
You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first check-point is at 4900m where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Stella Point on the crater rim, which sits at 5,685 m (18,651 ft) above sea level, which will be around 5-6 hours after departing Barafu Camp.
Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 1 hour trekking to reach Uhuru Peak so dig deep for the energy. The slope flattens as you head west around the crater rim and you should arrive at the summit at or just after sunrise. Your stay here will be brief so get as many pictures as you can of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps back around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp.
Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for your final night on the mountain. In total you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on day eight so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated and keep your blood sugar levels up.
- Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,091 ft) to The Summit (5,896 m/19,343 ft) and then to Millennium Camp (3,820 m/12,532 ft)
- Summit time: 7 hrs
- Estimated distance: 5km/3.2 miles
- Final elevation: 5,896 m/19,343 ft
- Descent time: 5 hrs
- Estimated distance: 12km/7.5 miles
- Final elevation: 3,820 m/12,532 ft
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Millenium Camp
Day 6: Millenium Camp to Mweka Gate
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Kili Trips safari vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
-Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft meters(3000m to 1650m)
- Elevation: 3950m/12,959ft to 1680m/5500ft
- Distance: 10km/6miles
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: Breakfast
Breakfast, Lunch
No Accommodation
