6Days Kilimanjaro Trekking via Machame Route

• Elevation: 1,790m to 3,010 m
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, you will be picked up at the Keys Hotel at 09:30 am and drive to Machame entrance gate of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park located about an hour’s drive away.

At the gate your guide will be busy with the registration forms and porters will be weighing the luggage, you can walk around the entrance gate seeing monkeys or watch the mountain team preparing for the climb and once this is all done, your Kilimanjaro trekking adventure will start. In no time you will be deep within the wonderful mountain rainforest with very old trees, ancient ferns, liana, lichen and moss that carpets the ground and drapes from the trees. You will hear and with a little luck, even spot the beautiful black and white colobus monkeys in the treetops.

After a walk of 5 to 6 hours, you will reach the day’s destination – the Machame Camp which is located just above the tree line at 3,010 meters. At the camp, at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro, you will have your first mountain hot dinner followed by an overnight stay.

• Elevation: 3,010 m to 3,750 m
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Moorland zone

After early morning breakfast, you will start your second-day trekking, the path steepens and the landscape changes into moor- and heathland and the open landscape allows you to see the exciting mountain range.

The second day’s destination is shorter than the previous day and you will arrive at the Shira Camp by mid-afternoon. The camp has an incredible view of the mountain and during sunset, the sun lights the rock face and glacier of Kibo.

• Elevation: 3,750 m to 4,640 and to 3,960 m
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Moorland zone

Today you will climb up about 800 meters but you will be camping at an elevation only slightly higher than the previous night. This will allow your body to acclimatize better since you will have relatively altitude. The hike begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower 4,640 meters.

The vegetation becomes sparser as the landscape changes to an afro-alpine desert. The route passes through the wide Barranco Valley with its lobelia and giant Senecio plants. After a 6 to 7 hours walk, you will arrive at the most stunning camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp.

• Elevation: 3,960 m to 4,640 m
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 6 to 8 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

This morning you begin your hike to Barafu Camp via Karanga Camp, which is at the same altitude as Barranco Camp. You will encounter a bit of a climb at Barranco Cliff and spend the rest of the trek climbing up and down the slopes of the mountain most of the way to camp.

The climbing is not considered difficult and you should arrive in time for lunch (approximately 1:00 PM) having trekked for about four hours. In the afternoon you hike at the Karanga Valley where giant senecios and lobelia grow; then continue with the scenic climb to Barafu which is mostly on a moraine with a view of Mawenzi peak towering majestically to the right, and overhead Kibo peak seemingly just out of reach.

The alpine desert terrain encountered at this point is mostly a mineral environment with few lichens and mosses. Climbers arrive at Barafu Camp around 3:30 or 4:30 PM.

• Elevation: 4,640 m to 5,895 m and then to 3,080 m
• Distance: 17.5 km
• Hiking Time: 13 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

At around midnight you will be awoken by your guide with a warm cup of tea and biscuits to get you ready for your final ascent. The moon and your headlamps will be your only source of light as you make your way up to Stella Point, reaching the crater rim in about 5 – 6 hours.

Another 1 hour will take you to Uhuru Peak 5,895 meters, where you can enjoy the sun rising over the African landscape, casting a pink hue over the snowy peak and making the glaciers sparkle like diamonds around you. After capturing this incredible view and achievement on film, you will start your descent along the same route back to Barafu Camp, where your team awaits you with some snacks and refreshments. Rested and relaxed you will make your way to Mweka Camp for your last night on the highest mountain on the African continent.

• Elevation: 3,080 m to 1,630 m
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain forest

A delicious breakfast is followed by a traditional farewell ceremony from your mountain crew before you start your final stretch down the mountain.

You will once more trek through the rainforest, giving you another opportunity to spot the cheeky colobus monkeys, finally reaching the Mweka gate in about 2 – 3 hours. You will be met at the gate and taken back to Moshi.