Machame Route – 6 Days Trek

On day two you will rise early, where by our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, The trek is relatively steep as you enter the low alpine zone which is characterized by moorlands and grasslands. Shira Camp 2 sits on a plateau which provides you with the first views of Kibo in the North-West and Mount Meru in the East. Day two takes approximately 4-6 hours and covers a distance of 5.4km / 3.4miles.

Shira Camp
Distance: | 5.4km / 3.4 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 5 hours
Zone: | Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone

Day three, walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp. The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), Although you end the day at a very similar elevation to when you started from Shira Camp, it is arguably one of the most important days on your trek as it gives you a chance to climb high and sleep low which is important for proper acclimatization.

Barranco Camp
Distance: | 10.8km / 6.7 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 8 hours
Zone: | Low alpine zone / High alpine zone

Day four on the Machame Route begins by descending into the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical, but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley, which is our last stop for fresh water before the summit. Note: Trekkers on the seven day route spend the night at Karanga Camp before continuing on to Barafu. This additional day is beneficial in terms of acclimatization.

Barafu Camp
Distance: | 8.5km / 5.3 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 8 hours
Zone: | High alpine zone

Day five is summit night (and day)! We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Mweka Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Uhuru Peak
Distance: | 16.4km / 9.6 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 13hours – 15hours
Zone: | Glacial zone and the all preceding zones

Day six is the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220meters, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681meters) the crater rim of Kilimanjaro where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895meters. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed hours break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.

Mweka Gate
Distance: | 9.1km / 7.5 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 3 hours
Zone: | Rainforest

This day left for your next destination. A vehicle will take you back to the Hotel in Moshi, where it is definitely time for celebration. Depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to beaches in Zanzibar so as we can arrange many reasonably priced trips and safaris around Moshi and the Kilimanjaro region. If you fly back home our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.

Moshi