08 Days Machame Route

Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in Africa. Straddling the Kenya/Tanzania border, the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro rises to an impressive 5896 metres above sea level. It is one of the world’s highest volcanoes, the highest mountain on the African continent, and the highest free-standing mountain on earth, making it an international destination attracting trekkers and mountaineers from around the globe. Set within the Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro appears from the sprawling plains of Tanzania and boasts dense tropical rainforests, glacial ice fields, moorlands, and mystical moonscapes. Take on the colossal challenge of climbing this majestic mountain, explore the lush, forested foothills, soak up the breathtaking views

Day 01: Kilimanjaro Int Airport / Arusha City – Spring Lands Hotel, Moshi Town (2,985 ft.)

Day Itinerary
On your arrival at JRO Int Airport, our representative to meet and welcome guests (or pickup from Arusha City Hotel) and drive to Moshi Town, gateway to the Mt Kilimanjaro. You will check into your hotel and briefed about your next 7 days program, go through check list of your climbing gear/equipment and health/medical details and insurance. After the formalities, rest day.
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Springlands Hotel

Moshi
Located in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, close to the Kenyan border in Northern Tanzania, the vibrant town of Moshi is known as a coffee-producing hub boasting vast coffee plantations. The majestic snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro towers over this little African town. Moshi serves as the gateway to the Kilimanjaro National Park and provides an excellent base from which to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Visitors can enjoy day trips, short hikes, or longer expeditions using Moshi as a starting point. Other popular activities include spotting the Big Five on a wildlife safari, visiting a local village to learn about Maasai culture, and sampling mouth-watering Tanzanian cuisine.

Day 02: Moshi Town – Machame Gate (4,888 ft.) – Machame Camp (9,776 ft.)

Day Itinerary
Begin the day with a briefing and a breakfast, then you will be driven from Moshi to the Machame village 45 minutes away. After our guides pack your supplies and equipment, we may drive to the Machame gate if the weather is on our side. If not, the muddy, 1.9-mile walk will take about an hour. You will register at the gate office and start your ascent, at once entering the rainforest. The strong possibility of rain will cover the trail with soggy, slippery mud. After a welcome halfway lunch stop, you will reach the Machame camping area in late afternoon. Porters will already have tents erected, water boiled for cooking and washing, and the cook will prepare dinner. Just a heads up: night temperatures can drop to freezing here.
Hiking time: 7 hrs./Distance: 11.1 miles
Habitat: Montane forest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Machame Camp
The Machame Camp is one of the first pitstops along the Machame Route of Mount Kilimanjaro. From the Machame Gate, climbers will hike for about 7 hours through the rainforest to get to Machame Camp. They would overnight at the camp before heading through the moorland towards Shira Camp.

Day 03: Machame Camp (9,776 ft.) – Shira Camp (12,600 ft.)

Day Itinerary
After an early-bird breakfast at Machame Camp, there is an hour climb to the top of the forest, then a 2-hour trek at a gentler incline through the moorland zone. You will rest while eating lunch and continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. From your vantage point, due west of Kibo, you will see the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. It is just another short hike before reaching the Shira campsite at 12,600 ft. Your porters will again prepare drinking and washing water, as well as dinner. This exposed camp will be even colder than last night, with temperatures well below freezing. But we suspect you are well prepared for them.
Hiking time: 6 hrs. / Distance: 5.6 miles
Habitat: Moorland
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner
Overnight: Shira Camp
Shira Camp forms part of the second leg of the journey up Mount Kilimanjaro. There are 2 camps – Shira Camp 1 on west side and Shira Camp 2 on the east. The Shira Plateau landscape features a tropical rainforest and shrubland where a range of flora and fauna species are found. Climbers might also spot the White Napped Raven.

Day 04: Shira Camp (12,600 ft.) – Lava Tower (15,190 ft.) – Barranco Camp (12,960 ft.)

Day Itinerary
The five-hour walk east, through semi desert and rocky landscape, will end at Lava Tower, over 15,000 ft. up. Along the way, there will be lunch, then the ascent of the rocky scree path to the Tower. It is normally around this point that some climbers start to experience breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. No doubt, this is the most challenging day so far. Now the climb descends, and the benefit of acclimatization becomes clear. The two-hour descent to Barranco Camp covers 2,230 ft. and with it, comes the chance to photograph the magnificent Western Breach and Breach Wall. Tonight’s camp is in a valley below them and sunset will, be spectacular. Eat hearty and reward yourself for today’s efforts with rest.
Hiking time: 7 hrs. / Distance: 9.3 miles
Habitat: Semi desert
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Barranco Camp
Barranco Camp is the third pitstop along the Machame Route climbing up Mount Kilimanjaro. This area of the mountain is semi-desert, and the camp is set in a valley close to the Great Barranco Wall.

Day 05: Barranco Camp (12,960 ft.) – Barafu Camp (14,927 ft.)

Day Itinerary
This morning, you make your way up the great Barranco Wall, a formidable sight. This imposing obstacle usually turns out to be an easier climb than what you expect. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, it will provide a pivotal moment: you will be struck at how gorgeous Kilimanjaro really is. The route now heads down through Karanga Valley and joins the Mweka route, the preferred path down from the summit. Karanga is the last water stop on the climb; there is no available water at Barafu Hut, which you will reach after another hour or so. Barafu is Swahili for “ice” and the reason will be no secret. This is a bleak, inhospitable spot to spend the night, totally exposed to the ever-present gales. Tents are pitched on a ridge that is narrow, stony, and dangerous. Climbers are recommended to familiarize themselves with it before dark. The summit is 4,412 ft. up and you will begin your ascent tonight. Thorough preparation is non-negotiable; you will concern yourself with your equipment, ski stick, thermal clothing, headlamp and camera batteries and a thermal flask to keep water from freezing. By 7 pm, you should be in bed, focused on rest despite your adrenaline.
Hiking time: 7 hrs. / Distance: 8.1 miles
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Barafu Camp
Mount Kilimanjaro climbers would approach Barafu camp at about the 5th day of the journey. The word ‘barafu’ is the Swahili word for ‘ice’, which refers to the cold climate at this altitude.

Day 06: Barafu Camp (14,927 ft.) – Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft.) – Mweka Camp (10,170 ft.)

Day Itinerary
This is the moment — your summit attempt. You will rise around 11:30 pm of Day 6 and after tea and biscuits, shuffle off into the night, ascending through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers, this leg is the most mentally and physically challenging. When you stop to rest after six hours, you will be at 18,651 feet and if the gods are with you, there will be a life-defining sunrise! After a short rest here, begin the two-hour ascent to the summit, expecting snow all the way. We would not dare describe the moment when you stand at the highest point in Africa — you will write your own script for the experience. The walk down to Barafu will take 3 hours; here you will take a well-earned, but short rest, collect your gear, and then head down to Mweka at 10,170 ft. The descent is not difficult, but the camp is situated in the upper forest where mist and rain are likely in late afternoon. We suspect you will savour dinner this evening and your exhausted, exhilarated frame of mind!
Ascent time: 8 hrs. to Uhuru Peak
Descent time: 7-8 hrs. to Mweka Distance: 4.3-mile ascent, 14.3-mile descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Mweka Camp
Mweka Camp is the final campsite on the journey up Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbers would arrive here after a 7-hour hike from Summit Uhuru Peak.

Day 07: Mweka Camp (10,170 ft.) – Mweka Gate (6,496 ft.) – Moshi Town (2,985 ft.)

Day Itinerary
This morning after breakfast, it is a short, 3-hour hike, scenic and downhill, back to Mweka Gate. (Be sure you and all your gear have arrived safely before your porters are tipped!) Sign your name and the details of your climb in the register — it holds the names of an exclusive group who can forever say they climbed Kilimanjaro. Now continue down to Mweka Village, a muddy-but-who-cares one-hour hike. Who deserves a delicious hot lunch more than you do? Eat hearty, and do not let the promise of your upcoming hot shower hurry you. Now you will be driven back to Moshi for everything you deserve: the shower, dinner, and unabashed celebration.
Hiking time: 3 hrs. / Distance: 9.3 miles
Habitat: Forest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Springlands Hotel

Day 08: Moshi Town – JRO Int Airport / Arusha City

Day Itinerary
After breakfast, transfers to JRO Int Airport or your chosen hotel in Arusha City.
Meal Plan: Breakfast