7 Days Machame Route

Day 2: From Hotel to Machame Gate to Machame Camp Site.

In the morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you directly to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, passing through the Machame village, which serves as a cultivation zone. Once we arrive at the Machame gate, we will provide a designated area for our clients to rest while we wait for registration permits and weigh your luggage. Once the necessary formalities are completed, we will begin our hike.

• Machame gate -1800m/5905ft to
• Machame camp -3000m/9842ft.
• Altitude gained -1200m/3937ft
• Distance – 11km/7miles
• Hiking time – 5-7hrs
• Climatic zone – mountain forest

Our gentle ascent begins by passing through the lush green rainforest that blankets the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro. As we make our way through this area, you will see moss and ragged lichen hanging from branches, along with blooming impatiens Kilimanjaro and violas in a variety of colors scattered across the forest floor. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to see different species of birds, black and white colobus monkeys, and blue monkeys. After a 5 to 7 hour hike, we’ll reach Machame camp on the edge of the forest area and enter into the heath zone.

Accommodations: camping.
Meals: evening tea, dinner and breakfast.

Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Cave Camp

• Machame camp- 3000M/9842FT
• Shira camp -3840m/12000ft
• Altitude gained -840m/2758ft
• Distance- 5.3km/3.2ml
• Hiking time- 4 – 5 hrs
• Climatic zone – moorland

On this day, we embark on another beautiful climb, leaving the rainforest glades behind us. The first part of the hike leads us to a small circular cliff known as the Picnic Rock. We will continue along the climbing trail, following a sharp ridge that leads to the moorland area, where the vegetation becomes more scattered. We will then proceed up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau, where you will have a clear view of the western breach and its spectacular glaciers. We will spend the night at the Shira camp, which is situated on the plateau.

Accommodations: camping:
Meals: lunch, evening tea, dinner and breakfast

Note:
Upon arrival at the Shira camp and having lunch, we will rest for a short period of time and then acclimatize by taking a walk towards the Lava Tower before returning to camp. It’s important to note that these acclimatization hikes are crucial as they increase the chances of reaching the roof of Africa and reduce the risk of mountain sickness. Our experienced guides will always be in front of you, ensuring that the hiking pace is appropriate for the altitude.

Day 4: Shira Cave Camp to Lava Tower to Baranco Wall

• Shira camp 3840m/12600ft
• Lava Tower 4630m/15190ft
• Baranco Wall 3960m/12960ft
• Altitude gain 790m/2592ft
• Altituse loss 670m/2198ft
• Distance 10.75km/
• Hiking time 7-8 hours
• Climate Zone :Moorland
• Difficult: Medium

After breakfast, we will leave the Shira Cave camp and head towards the Baranco wall via the Lava Tower (4630m/15190ft), which is the highest point of the day. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the Shira plateau and the precious snow cap of Kibo peak. This will be a long hike, and you may start to feel a bit uncomfortable due to the altitude. Therefore, it’s important to stay at the Lava Tower for at least an hour to allow your body to adjust to the altitude. We will use this time to have a hot lunch. After lunch, we’ll begin the hike to the Baranco wall, descending through a strange yet beautiful garden of giant senecio and lobelia flowers that grow up to 5 meters high. The Baranco wall is one of the most attractive geographical features of the entire trail and a meeting point for three routes: Machame, Umbwe, and Lemosho. We will spend the night at the Baranco wall campsite.

• Accommodation: mobile tent (camping ).
• Meals: evening tea, dinner and breakfast.

Day 5: From Baranco Wall Camp to Karanga Camp

• Baranco wall – 3960m/12992ft
• Karanga camp – 4043m/13264ft
• Altitude gain – 83m/272ft
• Distance – 5.5km/3.3miles
• Hiking time – 3-4hours
• Climate zone – Moorland
• Difficult – yes.

After breakfast, we will embark on a short but steep hike from Baranco camp, passing through the kissing rock. This section of the trail can be challenging as it requires the use of all four limbs and walking poles are not recommended. However, our experienced guides will choose the right path and pace to ensure your safety. This part of the climb is also a favorite for many climbers due to the breathtaking views of Kibo peak on the left and the distant Mount Meru on the right. At the top of Baranco wall (4240m/13911ft), there are several ascents and descents, with the last big descent leading to Karanga valley, the last watering point on this route. We will use the last 20 minutes of the hike to ascend the steep trail to Karanga camp.

Accommodation: camping.
Meals: lunch, evening tea, dinner and morning breakfast

Day 6: From Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• Karanga camp – 4043m/13264ft
• Barafu camp – 4640m/15223ft
• Altitude gain – 597m/1959ft
• Distance – 4km/2.4miles
• Climate zone – Alpine desert
• Difficult – medium

On this day, we will continue our climb to Barafu camp through the Alpine desert, with the majestic Kibo peak in sight, beckoning us towards the summit. Upon arrival, a hot lunch will be served, followed by ample time to rest and prepare for the summit night ahead. In the evening, the stunning sight of Mawenzi peak can be enjoyed from the camp. A quick briefing from our guide will be followed by an early dinner before retiring to bed for a few hours. At midnight, we will rise for the summit ascent.

Accommodations: mobile tent (camping)
Meals: lunch, evening tea, dinner, midnight breakfast.

Day 7: From Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Millenium Camp

• Barafu camp – 4640m/15223ft
• Uhuru peak – 5895m/19340ft
• Millennium camp – 3820m/12532ft
• Altitude gain- 1255m/4117ft
• Altitude loss – 2075m/6807ft
• Distance -15km/9.3miles
• Climate zone – Arctic to Alpine desert to Mountain forest.
• Difficult – yes

We will commence our final summit attempt just before midnight, which is the most challenging and highest altitude segment of the journey. This segment is characterized by very cold and windy conditions. Tolerance and determination are key factors for successfully reaching the summit. To ensure our clients’ well-being, each guide will have two climbers to closely monitor both their mental and physical states.
Upon reaching Stella point, we will take a brief break and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee before proceeding to Uhuru peak, which takes approximately one hour. Upon arrival at Uhuru peak, you will witness a breathtaking sunrise, and despite your body being tired, you will feel as if you are in paradise. We will take ample photos to capture unforgettable memories before celebrating briefly and beginning our descent to Barafu camp.
After a two-hour rest and lunch at Barafu camp, we will continue our descent to the millennium camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodations: camping.
Meals: evening tea, dinner and morning breakfast.

Day 8: From Millenium Camp to Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

• Millenium camp – 3820m/12532ft
• Mweka gate – 1676m/5500ft
• Altitude gain – 2144m/7032ft
• Distance – 12km
• Climate zone- forest
• Difficult – easy

Another amazing day awaits us after a hearty breakfast. We will begin our descent once again, passing through Mweka camp (3100m/10170ft) and the lush mountain forest. By noon, we will arrive at the gate where our mountain crew will be singing and dancing in celebration of our achievement of reaching the top of Africa. Those who succeeded and made it to the top will be awarded mountain certificates. After tipping the mountain crew, we will transfer to Moshi town for lunch. Following lunch, we will take you to your hotel either in Moshi town at Mbugani Hotel or in Arusha city at Green Mountain for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9: Kilimanjaro Airport.

You have the option to either be transferred to the airport for your flight back home or to continue your journey with RASHAD ADVENTURE by choosing from various options such as a day trip, safari, or a beach holiday in Zanzibar. The choice is yours.