6 Days Machame Route

ITINERARY

This is probably the most scenic and most beautiful route to the summit you can ever choose. The 6-day route is however physically more challenging than the Marangu route. The day walks are longer and steeper, however, the summit night is one hour shorter. The scenic traverse of the Western Breach offers some stunning views! Only tented accommodation is available, which can be less comfortable and will require a good sleeping bag and hiking mattress.

All climbers sleep in tents (tents are included) and meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside.

It is done over 6 days, so acclimatization is easier, and the success rate is fairly high. It is mostly for physically fit people with some hiking experience. Descent is down the Mweka trail staying at the Mweka or Millennium camp the final night on the mountain.

Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Hike to Machame Camp

Drive from Moshi the nearest town where you will be picked to Machame Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

• Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
• Distance: 11km/7mi
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest
• Meals: LD

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

• Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
• Distance: 5km/3mi
• Walking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
• Meals: BLD

Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east 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, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for a summit day.

• Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
• Distance: 10km/6mi
• Walking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Semi-desert
• Meals: BLD

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elevation 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elevation 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.

• Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
• Distance: 9km/6mi
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals: BLD

Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am) we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You ascend in a northwest direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point of the continent of Africa, meaning the top of the Kilimanjaro.

From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

• Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
• Down to 3090m/10,150ft
• Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
• Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
• Meals: BLD

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi

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).

Your vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 45 minutes).

• Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
• Distance: 10km/6mi
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Forest
• Meals: B

Price:

The Trip Cost Includes

• Airport transfers
• Kilimanjaro National Park entrance, camping/hut, and rescue fees
• 2 – nights Accommodations on BB
• Professional Up to date wilderness first responder trained guide or equivalent Assistance Guide
• Gamow bag (portable hyperbaric chamber)
• Emergency oxygen
• Expedition medical kit
• Pulse oximeter
• Comprehensive vital sign monitoring
• 2 Way Radio
• Mobile phone
• 3 person expedition tents (2 clients/tent)
• Mountaineering mattress
• Lightweight mess tent
• Expeditions walk-in mess tent
• Lightweight aluminum table
• Luxury chair with backrest
• Portable tented private flush toilet
• Medical evacuations with AMREF Flying doctors
• Purified water while on the mountain
• Return transfer Arusha/Arusha hotel to Park Gate
• Wine and Champagne on the summit
• Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
• Fair and ethical treatment of porters
• Salary for the porters
• Salary for the Guides
• Salary for the Cooks
• Government taxes
• VAT 18% on park entrance fees
• Hot steamy towel on the camp
• Bowl of hot washing water in the morning and evening
• Shower/wash tent

The Trip Cost Excludes

• International airfare
• Excess baggage charges
• Costs of visas
• Immunizations
• Personal expenses such as beverages (other than those included with meals, as listed in each itinerary)
• Room service
• Souvenirs
• Laundry
• Communication charges
• Medical or extra evacuation fees
• Staff gratuities
• Personal trekking equipment
• Additional transportation
• Meals incurred by a client unable to continue a planned itinerary due to illness
• Medical conditions or due to airline schedule changes.