MACHAME ROUTE – 8 DAYS (6 Days on the trek)

This is probably the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro.  The accommodation on the way up and down is strictly camping (mobile tents) only.  This trek is strenuous and may be better suited to more adventurous hikers. The Machame route is normally completed in a minimum of 6 days/5nights on the mountain.

DAY 1

Arrival – Moshi    

Pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi town, which is commonly known as the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. Half Board accommodation at a Base Hotel in Moshi. – The Maridadi Hotel (or similar)

DAY 2

Machame Gate (1828m) – Machame camp (3020m)  

Hiking time: 7 hours

Distance: Approximately 10.8 km

Habitat: Montane forest

Your day starts early with breakfast, followed by a 45-minute drive from Moshi (910m) to the Machame Gate (1828m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment at the gate. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience. You will have a welcome lunch stop about halfway and will reach the Machame camp (3020m) in the late afternoon. Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will have erected your tent on arrival. In the evening the porters will bring a small bowl of washing water to your tent and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite. Overnight in mountain tents at Machame Camp.

DAY 3

Machame camp (3020m) – Shira camp (3840m)

Hiking time: 6 hours

Distance: Approximately 5.2 km

Habitat: Moorland

A full day as you start early, leaving the forest behind and climb a steep ridge for 3-4 hours. The path then drops into a gorgeous river gorge before you climb more gently up onto the moorland of the Shira Plateau. The Shira Plateau is all that remains of an older volcano that was engulfed when the much larger Kili formed. On clear days the views are absolutely breath-taking: a seemingly endless expanse of multi-colored heath to the gargantuan rim at the end of the plateau where billows of clouds melt down onto the plateau floor. Overnight camping in mountain tents at Shira (3840m). 

DAY 4         

Shira Camp (3847m) to Lava Tower (4642m) to Barranco camp (3984m)

Hiking time: 7 hours

Distance: Approximately 10.7 km

Habitat: Semi-desert

Today’s 5-6 hours walk across the plateau makes little net elevation, although there are ups and downs throughout the day. We’ll enjoy sightings of the typical Kilimanjaro mountain vegetation and rewarding views of the spectacular Barranco Valley. Overnight camping in mountain tents at Barranco (3984m).

DAY 5         

Barranco camp (3984m) – Barafu camp (4681m)

Hiking time: 8 hours

Distance: Approximately 9.4 km

Habitat: Alpine desert

After spending a night at the great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end usually turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Mount Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you should reach Barafu Hut.

The last water stop on the route is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents.

The summit is now a further 1214m higher and you will commence with your final ascent attempt, the same night. Prepare your equipment, hiking poles and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep. Overnight camping in mountain tents at Barafu camp. 

DAY 6

Barafu camp (4681m)-Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m)

Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Mweka Camp

Distance: Approximately 4.5 km ascent and 10.8 km descent

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

You will rise around 2330hrs and after some tea and biscuits you will shuffle off into the night.  You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim.  This 8-hour walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically, the most challenging on the route.  At Stella point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).  From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Despite the actual distance of the trek not being too far the progress is slow – there is less than half the oxygen than at sea level! Uhuru Peak provides a unique reward and usually a plethora of emotions. If your progress has been good you can watch the sunrise from the rooftop of Africa! Most people then start returning quite soon after sunrise as the return journey today is quite long. Take a brief respite at Barafu Camp before descending all the way down to Mweka Camp at 3100m. Overnight at Mweka Camp

DAY 7

Mweka camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1641m)

Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours

Distance: Approximately 8.5 km

Habitat: Forest

After breakfast descend through the lower heath section that quickly turns into rainforest.

It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. Visit the tips page for more info.

At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5739m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.

From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike.

You will be met and transferred back to a Base Hotel in Moshi for dinner and overnight – The Maridadi Hotel (or similar)

DAY 8

After breakfast, transfer back to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

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