6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking - Machame Route

Around 8am, you will be picked up from your accommodation in Moshi and drive 1 hour to Machame gate.

The journey passes through Machame village which it is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. At the gate you will need to sign in, passport number is needed. You will provided with lunch boxes and water and our crew will organize all the luggage and food, weigh and then get the permit.

You will begin your trek and walk through the rain forest on the winding trail up a ridge, The trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea.

You will have lunch on the way. You will continue a short distance until we reach Machame campsite.

•Elevation 1800meters to 3100meters

•Distance: 12 km

•Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

•Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, you will begin your trek to Shira Cave Campsite.

You will leave the glades of rain forest and continue trekking crossing the little valley walking along the rocky ridge. You will have lunch on the way, after which you will continue trekking to Shira cave campsite.

Later in the afternoon you will go for acclimatization walk which will help you get used to the altitude.

Dinner and overnight at Shira cave campsite.

•Machame Camp to Shira Camp

•Elevation 3100meters to 3840meters

•Distance: 6 km

•Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

•Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, you will begin your trek to Barranco campsite via Lava Tower (4600meters), called the Shark’s tooth.

You will have lunch at the Lover tower and spend time at this altitude so that you can get used to the altitude. You will continue down to Barranco campsite at altitude of 3950meters where you will have dinner and overnight.

Although you will end the day at the same elevation as where you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and it will keep your body ready for summit day.

•Elevation 3840meters to 4600meters to 3950meters

•Distance: 12 km

•Hiking Time: 8-9 hours

•Habitat: Semi Desert

After breakfast, you will begin your trek on a steep ridge passing Barranco wall to Karanga Valley campsite, where you will have a picnic lunch.

After lunch you will leave Karanga and continue the trekking to Barafu hut. At Barafu hut you will have a good view of the summit from different angles, rest, prepare for the summit and dinner will be served early. Also you will have a good view of two peaks - Kibo and Mawenzi.

•Elevation 3950meters to 4600 meters

•Distance: 10 km

•Hiking Time: 6 to 7 hours

•Habitat: Alpine Desert

You will begin your trekking to the summit very early in the morning (midnight at 12:30am).

The trail zigzags up through heavy scree towards Stella Point at the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella point you will have a rest for a hot drink (tea) to warm up your body while enjoying the magnificent sunrise. From Stella Point you may encounter snow but this depends with the time. It is 1 hour ascent to the summit, Uhuru peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Africa.

After the summit you will start trekking down to Mweka campsite but you will stop at Barafu to have lunch and a short rest. After resting you will continue trekking down to Mweka campsite which is situated at the forest, last dinner and overnight at the campsite.

•Elevation 4600meters to 5895meters (and down to 3100meters)

•Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

•Habitat: Arctic

After breakfast, you will start to trek down to Mweka Gate to receive your summit certificates.

At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help.

A vehicle will be waiting at the gate to take you to your accommodation in Moshi

•Elevation 3100meters to 1800meters

•Distance: 10 km

•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

•Habitat: Rain Forest