7 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Machame Route

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
1 stop
1
To start the trek you drive to Machame Gate where you're recorded in the register held by Kilimanjaro National Park. You then start on your journey by hiking through the rainforest to Machame Camp, which at 3,020 m (9,908 ft) above sea level is your first overnight stop.] Elevation: 1,640 m to 2,850 m Distance: 11 km (7 miles) Hiking time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Rainforest
7 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Machame Camp to Shira Cave Camp
1 stop
2
After an early breakfast, you climb up and out of the rainforest and into the heather and moorland zone. You cross many streams and walk over a plateau that leads to Shira Cave Camp. At this campsite you have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and its glaciers in the east. Today's hike lasts about five to six hours in total. Elevation: 2,850 m to 3,810 m Distance: 5 km (3 miles) Hiking time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Moorland
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Shira Cave Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
1 stop
3
Mount Kilimanjaro
Today is a day to climb high and then sleep low. As such today's route consists of two parts: the hike up to Lava Tower, followed by the hike down to Barranco Camp. Part 1 | Shira Cave Camp to Lava Tower Elevation: 3,810 m to 4,630 m Distance: 7 km (4 miles) Hiking time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Moorland You hike for about five hours to reach the impressive rock formation called Lava Tower at 4,630 m (15,419 ft) above sea level. The tower is a real highlight on the Kilimanjaro trek. Part 2 | Lava Tower to Barranco Camp Elevation: 4,630 m to 3,976 m Distance: 3 km (2 miles) Hiking time: 2-3 hours Habitat: Moorland and alpine desert After lunch at Lava Tower, you head down to Barranco Camp. The descent takes about two to three hours. Barranco Camp is located in a valley below the Western Breach and imposing Barranco Wall.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
1 stop
4
Elevation: 3,976 m to 3,995 m Distance: 5 km (3 miles) Hiking time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Moorland and alpine desert Today's hike of four to five hours is all about acclimatisation. After an early breakfast, it’s time for you to conquer the Barranco Wall. Although it may look intimidating at first, most trekkers report the wall isn't as difficult as they anticipated. At the top of the wall you're above the clouds and have superb views of the Southern Ice Fields and the summit. The trail then winds up and down until you arrive at Karanga Camp, where you spend the night.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
1 stop
5
Mount Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 3,995 m to 4,673 m Distance: 4 km (2 miles) Hiking time: 3 hours Habitat: Alpine desert It’s getting real! You’re now very close to the summit and have some amazing views of the mountain during your ascent of three hours to the last base, Barafu Camp, which sits at 4,600 m (15,091 ft) above sea level. You go to bed early tonight as you'll be woken around midnight to start the long summit trek.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
1 stop
6
Today is summit day! This is the big push to the summit at nearly 6,000 metres above sea level. It requires grit and determination, but you can do it! Part 1 | Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak Your guide wakes you up around midnight so you can begin your summit attempt, which many describe as the most mentally and physically challenging part of the whole Kilimanjaro climb. The route heads northwest into the dark night. After about six or seven hours you reach Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,685 m (18,651 ft) above sea level. and you continue for an hour or so on a sometimes snow-covered trail to reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m (19,341 ft), which is the very highest point in all of Africa! Part 2 | Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp After reaching the summit, you descend to Mweka Camp at 3,110 m (10,204 ft) above sea level. Here, you spend your final night on the mountain after having hiked for about 12 to 16 hours today!
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
1 stop
7
Elevation: 3,068 m to 1,640 m Distance: 10 km (6 miles) Hiking time: 3 hours Habitat: Rainforest Today you hike down the last bit of the trail to the foot of the mountain, where your driver is waiting for you. Time for a beer and celebration dinner!
3 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

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