Mt. Kilimanjaro - Machame Route | 8 Days

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Arusha town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.

Meals: B&B

The drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. After registration you leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are useful

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

1830m to 3100m

6000ft to 10,200ft

Distance: 18km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3100m to 3840m

10,200ft to 12,600ft

Distance: 9 km

Walking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Moorland

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 4876m / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860m / 12,664 ft.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3840m to 4630m to 3860m

12,600ft to 12,700ft

Distance: 15 km

Walking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3860m to 4200m

12,700ft to 13,800ft

Distance: 7 km

Hiking Time: 4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly 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 (18,600 ft), 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 may encounter snow on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.

At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation (ft): 15,300 ft to 19,345 ft (and down to 10,000 ft)

Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

Hiking time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

Habitat: Arctic

After breakfast, 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). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha.

Elevation (ft): 10,000 ft to 5,400 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain forest

After Breakfast our driver will transfer you to the airport before your flight departure time,

Thanks,