6 Days Machame Route
Day 1 – Machame gate to Machame camp (3,000m/9,840ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,200 meters, 3,935 feet
Drive from Arusha to Machame gate. At the gate you will register before starting the climb and we will perform a final checkup on the equipment to make sure everything is ready and in good condition. From the park entrance you will walk for about two to three hours through a dense forest of fig and rubber trees, begonia flowers and other tropical vegetation. A stop for hot lunch will be made halfway to this evening campsite. As you continue your ascent, you will notice that the tropical forest has given way to tall grasses and giant heather. You will be walking on a ridge, to the left of which is the Semira stream, and on the right, the Weruweru. Depending on the pace of the Hikers, arrival at Machame camp is usually between 5:00pm and 6:00pm. Dinner and overnight at Machame camp.
Day 2 – Machame Camp to Shira Camp (3,000m/9,840ft)
Elevation Gain: 840 meters, 2,760 feet
The wake-up call on this and subsequent morning is around 6;00 am. You will be greeted with a steaming cup of coffee or Tea, and weather permitting by a fabulous view of Uhuru peak!! Today’s trek takes you up a steep track through a Savanna of tall grasses, volcanic rocks, and bearded heather. You will encounter giant groundsels as you hike through a landscape of volcanic lava, caves, and foamy streams. Lunch will be taken just below the Shira plateau, about three to four hours from Shira camp Diner and overnight at Shira Camp.
Day 3 –Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)
Elevation Gain: 690 meters, 2,264 feet
After breakfast you will start crossing the Bastains stream, you will begin to descend towards Barranco camp. The descent takes you along an immense canyon called Grand Barranco. Along the way, you will see numerous waterfalls, which are fed by streams coming from the mountain, converging here to form the Umbwe river. Your camp is set at almost the same altitude as the night before. Diner and overnight at Barranco Camp.
Day 4 – Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)
Elevation Gain: 600 meters, 2,140 feet
This scenic climb to Barafu is mostly on a moraine with a view of Mawenzi peak towering majestically to the right, and overhead Kibo peak seemingly just out of reach. Leave Barranco Camp after an early breakfast to begin the long hike to Barafu Camp. The day begins with an hour and a half scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you will have to use your hands to pull your body up. After reaching the top, you will make a short descent into the greener Karanga Valley before continuing on to Barafu Camp. During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. Although the way to Barafu is bleak, alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, and Rebmann Glacier. As you will ascent the peak the next day it is best to go to bed very early this night, as the next day will also be long.
Day 5 - Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,295 meters, 4,240 feet
Elevation Loss: 2,795 meters, 9,170 feet
You will be awaken at midnight and after a light breakfast start climbing at around 1 am making your way up a path that is flanked by the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers, you will climb for about six hours before reaching the summit. Uhuru stands at 5895m and is the highest point in Africa. The track around the edge of the crater is rocky and icy. The descent is now easier than the ascent. You will reach Barafu camp after about three hours. Climbers will be given an opportunity to rest and have some refreshments before continuing to Mweka camp for the night. Arriving into the camp you will have hiked a total of thirteen hours today. Diner and overnight at Mweka camp.
Day 6 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft)
Elevation Loss: 1,600 meters, 5,250 feet
After breakfast then continue to go down to Mweka gate where you will sign your name and receive your summit certificate. Those climbers who reached stella point are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru peak receive gold certificates. Meet by our driver with packed lunch boxes and drive back to Moshi to rest and celebrate your achievement.
Elevation Gain: 1,200 meters, 3,935 feet
Drive from Arusha to Machame gate. At the gate you will register before starting the climb and we will perform a final checkup on the equipment to make sure everything is ready and in good condition. From the park entrance you will walk for about two to three hours through a dense forest of fig and rubber trees, begonia flowers and other tropical vegetation. A stop for hot lunch will be made halfway to this evening campsite. As you continue your ascent, you will notice that the tropical forest has given way to tall grasses and giant heather. You will be walking on a ridge, to the left of which is the Semira stream, and on the right, the Weruweru. Depending on the pace of the Hikers, arrival at Machame camp is usually between 5:00pm and 6:00pm. Dinner and overnight at Machame camp.
Day 2 – Machame Camp to Shira Camp (3,000m/9,840ft)
Elevation Gain: 840 meters, 2,760 feet
The wake-up call on this and subsequent morning is around 6;00 am. You will be greeted with a steaming cup of coffee or Tea, and weather permitting by a fabulous view of Uhuru peak!! Today’s trek takes you up a steep track through a Savanna of tall grasses, volcanic rocks, and bearded heather. You will encounter giant groundsels as you hike through a landscape of volcanic lava, caves, and foamy streams. Lunch will be taken just below the Shira plateau, about three to four hours from Shira camp Diner and overnight at Shira Camp.
Day 3 –Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)
Elevation Gain: 690 meters, 2,264 feet
After breakfast you will start crossing the Bastains stream, you will begin to descend towards Barranco camp. The descent takes you along an immense canyon called Grand Barranco. Along the way, you will see numerous waterfalls, which are fed by streams coming from the mountain, converging here to form the Umbwe river. Your camp is set at almost the same altitude as the night before. Diner and overnight at Barranco Camp.
Day 4 – Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)
Elevation Gain: 600 meters, 2,140 feet
This scenic climb to Barafu is mostly on a moraine with a view of Mawenzi peak towering majestically to the right, and overhead Kibo peak seemingly just out of reach. Leave Barranco Camp after an early breakfast to begin the long hike to Barafu Camp. The day begins with an hour and a half scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you will have to use your hands to pull your body up. After reaching the top, you will make a short descent into the greener Karanga Valley before continuing on to Barafu Camp. During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. Although the way to Barafu is bleak, alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, and Rebmann Glacier. As you will ascent the peak the next day it is best to go to bed very early this night, as the next day will also be long.
Day 5 - Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,295 meters, 4,240 feet
Elevation Loss: 2,795 meters, 9,170 feet
You will be awaken at midnight and after a light breakfast start climbing at around 1 am making your way up a path that is flanked by the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers, you will climb for about six hours before reaching the summit. Uhuru stands at 5895m and is the highest point in Africa. The track around the edge of the crater is rocky and icy. The descent is now easier than the ascent. You will reach Barafu camp after about three hours. Climbers will be given an opportunity to rest and have some refreshments before continuing to Mweka camp for the night. Arriving into the camp you will have hiked a total of thirteen hours today. Diner and overnight at Mweka camp.
Day 6 Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft)
Elevation Loss: 1,600 meters, 5,250 feet
After breakfast then continue to go down to Mweka gate where you will sign your name and receive your summit certificate. Those climbers who reached stella point are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru peak receive gold certificates. Meet by our driver with packed lunch boxes and drive back to Moshi to rest and celebrate your achievement.
GROUP SIZE |
PRICE PER PERSON DAYS |
1 PERSON |
1950 USD |
2 - 4 PERSON |
1770 USD |
5 - 7 PEOPLE |
1740 USD |
8 - 10 PEOPLE |
1690 USD |
11 + |
1640 USD |
Included in price package
- Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Arusha.
- 2 nights of accommodation in Arusha.
- Private WC during the hike
- Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
- Park entry fees
- Camping fees
- Mountain Rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- 4 Season mountain tents
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
- 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
- Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
- Hot water for washing
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Government taxes
- Emergency first-aid kit
- Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Laundry (Available at hotel)
- Personal items and toiletries
- Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (not per climber):
- Guides: $20/day/guide
- Cook: $15/day
- Porter: $10/day/porter
