WHEN TO GO.
JUNE THROUGH FEBRUARY.
Trekking Summary.
Machame route is famous for its challenging hikes with outstanding views and high success rate of reaching the summit. Compared to other 6 day trails, the Machame route has higher elevations by day 3. Which kick starts the body’s adaptation to altitude. However, this track requires the hiker to be in fit shape to be able to tackle the mountains challenging, elevation.
The 6 day Machame variation is a tough route. In particular, day 4 combined with day 5 makes a busy hiking schedule. Day 4 is a full day of hiking from Barranco to Barafu. Thereafter dinner and a night’s sleep. The very long and strenuous summit day begins around midnight. The 6 day Machame route requires 19-24 hours of demanding walking, at extremely high elevation, with only 4-6 hours of sleep. There are tenting accommodations and the best time of the year to visit is June through February.
Detailed Itinerary
Machame Gate 5400 feet to Machame Camp 9400 feet
Distance: 11 kilometers
Hiking Duration– 5-7hrs
Habitat: Montane Forest
You will be picked up from your hotel and drive to Machame gate in Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. After paperwork and organizing belongings you will leave the park gate behind. We will trek through the montane forest on a winding trail up the ridge. Very often the trail is muddy and slippery, gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. You will enjoy the fauna and flora till you enter Machame Camp for overnight stay.
Machame Camp 9400 feet to Shira Camp 12500 feet
Distance: 5 kilometers
Hiking Duration– 4-6hrs
Habitat: Moorland
You will set out after breakfast, as you leave the glades of the rain forest behind. The path will be leading you ascending across the valley along a steep rocky ridge, until the ridge ends. By then the route turns west onto a river gorge and to arrive to camp for a siesta and dinner.
-Overnight stay at the Shira Camp 2500 feet
Shira Camp 12500 feet to Lava Tower – Barranco Camp 13000 feet
Distance: 10 kilometers
Hiking duration: 6-8hrs
Habitat: Semi Desert
You will depart after breakfast towards the east up the ridge to the junction to Kibo peak. Thereafter the direction changes to southeast towards the Lava Tower famously known as “Shark’s Tooth”. By then the trek will take you to the second junction before entering the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 feet. We will arrive at Barranco for Siesta, acclimatizing your body and enjoying the surrounding views and the valley below before you set out for a more high elevation.
-Overnight stay at Baranco Camp: 13000 feet
Barranco Camp 13,000 feet to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp 15,000 feet
Distance: 9 kilometers
Hiking Duration: 8-10hrs
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Trek is after breakfast, via the Baranco wall and a steep ridge to Karanga Valley. Then, the hike will leave the Karanga Valley behind towards the junction connecting the Mweka Trail. Thereafter your walking boots will be stretched to higher elevation We arrive at Barafu camp for overnight stay. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which gives summits views from different angles. You will relax and enjoy the surrounding nature, before being served an early dinner. We recommend that climbers should go to sleep as early as possible, due to summit attempts.
-Overstay at Barafu Camp 15,000 feet
Barafu Camp 15,000 feet to Summit 19,345 feet to Mweka Camp: 10,000 feet
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Duration: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic
You will wake up for a cup of coffee, and we will set out at around 02:00am. The trail will take you between the Rebman and Ratzel glaciers. Thereafter continue northwest before ascent through heavy scree to Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek.
At Stella Point 18600 feet, you will stop for a siesta rewarded with the most stunning sunrise. From this point you may encounter snow the whole way of your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the roof of the continent of Africa. Fit hikers may have the chance to witness the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, you descent to Mweka camp, via Barafu for a hot lunch. Thereafter you continue with your descent, gaiters and trekking poles are needed for the loose gravel while going down. As the evening sets in you will be arriving at Mweka camp 10,000 feet. The camp located in the upper forest is often covered with fog. Rain can also be expected in the late afternoon. Tonight is your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
– Overnight stay Mweka camp 10,000 feet.
Mweka Camp: 10,000 feet to Mweka Gate to Arusha: 5,400 feet
Distance: 10 kilometers
Hiking Duration: 3-4hr of descent
Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, you continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. In lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help your descending. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
You will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to fly out of the country or Arusha Domestic Airport and fly to Zanzibar or join another wildlife safari if extended excursions are selected.
Today you will be transferred to the airport to fly back home or to Zanzibar or join our wildlife safari if extended excursions are selected.
- PRICE FROM: $1,697pps
- Government Taxes
- All National Park entrance fees
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Overnight stay at hotel as per itinerary
- Guide, porter and cook salaries (not including gratuity)
- Crisis management and safety procedures. Rescue fees.
- All three meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner while on mountain.
- All transfers mentioned above, upon your arrival and departure from Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha domestic airport.
- Gratuity
- All Personal Items (Example toiletries, cameras)
- Excursions and activities not listed in the itinerary