8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS MACHAME ROUTE ITINERARY & BOOKING 2024

After breakfast you will be picked up at the lodge and taken to the Kilimanjaro entrance gate. While your guide is busy with the registration forms, you can be preparing yourself for the climb and once this is all done, your Kilimanjaro adventure will begin. In no time you will be deep within the magnificent mountain rainforest with ancient trees, primeval 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 5 to 6 hours, you will reach Machame Camp which is situated just above the tree line. Here, at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro, you will have your first dinner followed by an overnight stay in tents.
• Elevation (ft):5,400 - 9,400ft
• Altitude (m):1,790m - 3010m
• Distance covered: 11km
• Time to be used: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest
• Meals: Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation: Machame camp

After an early morning start, the path steepens. The landscape changes into heath and moorland and the open landscape allows you to see the impressive mountain range. Today’s stage is shorter than the previous day and you will arrive at the New Shira Camp by mid-afternoon. The camp has a breath-taking view of the mountain and during sunset, the evening sun lights the rock face and glacier of Kibo.
• Altitude: 3,010 m to 3,845m
• Distance Covered: 5km
• Time to be used: 4 - 6 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Habitant: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
• Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp

Today you will climb about 800 m but you will be camping at an elevation only slightly higher than the previous night. This will allow your body to acclimatize as a height of over 4,500 m will be reached over the next two days.
The trek begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower. 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.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft.
The vegetation becomes sparser as the landscape changes to an afro-alpine desert. The route passes through the sweeping Barranco Valley with its lobelia and giant senecio plants. After 6 to 7 hours, you will arrive at the most beautiful camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp.
• Altitude: 3,845 m to 3,845m to 3,960m
• Distance Covered: 10 km
• Time to be used: 6-8 hours.
• Habitat: Semi Desert
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Barranco camp

After sleeping below the Great Barranco Wall, you get your chance to tackle this hurdle. Don’t worry…It’s much easier than it looks. Continue up until you reach just below the Heim Glacier. Then head down through the Karanga Valley. This is the last place for your porters to gather water. They will collect all the water for the remainder of the ascent here. You will settle in here at the Karanga Camp. After lunch, you can spend the afternoon doing light exploring or resting while taking in the views of Mawenzi’s towering spires.
• Altitude: 3,960 m to 4,035 m
• Distance Covered: 7km
• Time to be used: 4- 5 hrs
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Karanga Camp

Awakening to the sunlight dancing off the Kibo Summit, you will enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting out to today’s destination – Barafu Camp. Most of the day will be spent walking through very dry desertic terrain, with Kibo ever present on your left side. After 3 to 4 hours you will reach Barafu Camp, where you will have an early dinner and night as the highlight of your trip is only a few short hours away.
At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position. Once at the camp, you can relax, have dinner and call it an early night.
• Altitude: 4034 m to 4,640 m
• Elevation: 13,235 ft to 15,295 ft
• Distance Covered: 6 km
• Time to be used: 3-4 hrs
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Barafu Camp

Awakening The day starts particularly early today. You’ll keep up with the sunrise in order to begin the most challenging day of any you’ll spend on the mountain. After 5-7 hours of climbing the scree and ash paths of the Kibo, you will arrive at Stella Point, the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. From here you will then hike down to the Crater Camp which lies at an altitude of 5730 m, making it the highest camp on the mountain. If the weather conditions are good, Crater Camp offers you staggering views of the surrounding glaciers.
• Elevation: 13,235 ft to 15,295 ft
• Altitude: 4034 m to 4,640 m
• Distance Covered: 6 km
• Time to be used: 5-7 hrs
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Crater Camp

The final ascent begins in the early morning hours with the first signs of the sunrise. Though this leg is just two hours long, the high altitude ensures that it is particularly slow and arduous. After ascending 170 meters or so you will reach the summit of Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Now standing on the “Roof of Africa” you will be able to see the surrounding summits and landscapes in all their glory – a truly special experience. After a short break and a few celebratory images, you will return to Barafu Camp just before midday where the rest of the climbing crew is waiting for you with a warm and well-earned meal. After an hour or so you will continue to descend to Mweka Camp (3080 m) which is approx. 3 hours away. Here you will have an evening meal followed by a relaxing evening and a good night’s sleep.
• •Start: Crater Camp (5730 m)
• Finish: Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka Camp (3080 m)
• Altitude: ↑ 165 m ↓ 2815 m
• Walking Time: 7-9h
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Mweka Camp

The final leg of your amazing adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. Then a gentle 2 to 3 hours’ descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate, where your driver will be waiting for you. He will take you back and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to relax, relax at the pool or celebrate your achievement
Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!
• Altitude: 3,080 m to 1,630m
• Distance Covered: 9.3km km down
• Time to be used: 2 - 3 hrs.
• Habitat: Rain Forest
• Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

_THE END OF TREK_