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| Route Notes
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The Machame route approaches Kilimanjaro through forest and moorland from the south-west, and joins the Shira route before traversing beneath the southern ice fields of Kibo. You make your final ascent by the Barafu route. The eight day itinerary ensures good acclimatization, and gives you the best possible chance to enjoy the magnificent scenery.
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| DAY 1
- ARUSHA, TANZANIA / MARANGU
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Upon arrival into Kilimanjaro International Airport and after clearing customs you will be met and transferred to Marangu and the Kyalia Village, set on the lower south east slope of the mountain. Your stay here will be at the Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort. This Colonial style hotel is used for it’s proximity to the Marangu Gate where your climb starts. It has 25 guests rooms, two restaurants and a bar, all set in lush gardens.
Overnight
- Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort (B&B Basis) |
| DAY 2
- MACHAME CAMP – 9,800ft (3,000m)
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After breakfast you will depart to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. The climb starts from Machame Gate (1,800 m.) after a short walk through the attractive banana and coffee farms of Machame village. The path follows a ridge through dense montane forest. This is the richest forested area on the mountain, and also the zone from where 96 % of the water on Kilimanjaro originates. On sunny days, and especially in the dry season, this section is very lush and beautiful; it can also be a very muddy experience, particularly if it has rained recently! You stop for lunch at ‘Halfway Clearing’, a small opening in the trees, and continue climbing steadily. The gradient becomes gentler as the forest slowly merges into giant heather close to the next camp near the ruins of Machame Hut (3,000 m.). We may get our first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo if the evening clouds permit. [6-8 hours walking]
Overnight
- Camping near the ruins of Machame Hut |
| DAY 3
- SHIRA CAMP – 12,600 ft. (3,840m)
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A shorter day that begins by climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known as Picnic Rock. There are excellent views of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau from here, and it is a good rest point. The trail continues less steeply to reach the Shira Plateau.
You camp tonight near Shira Hut (3,840 m.) which has some of the most stunning views on Kilimanjaro; close to the huge volcanic cone of Kibo, the spectacular rock formations of Shira Plateau, and looking across to Mt. Meru floating on the clouds. [4-6 hours walking].
Overnight
- Camping near the Shira Hut |
| DAY 4
- BARRANCO CAMP – 14,600 ft. (4,550m)
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A morning of gentle ascent towards Kibo, crossing a broad valley, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4,550 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,900 m.), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. [5-7 hours walking]
Overnight
- Barranco Camp. (hot lunch served today) |
| DAY 5
- BARAFU CAMP 15,000 ft. (4,600m)
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Cross the floor of the Great Barranco Valley. A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Ice fields. Lunch is usually taken at Karanga , the last water point, in a steep valley. After lunch, the terrain changes to scree and we climb steeply to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m.) by mid afternoon. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night. [6-8 hours walking]
Overnight
- Camping at Barafu campsite |
| DAY 6
- SUMMIT – 19,340 ft. - DESCEND T0 MWEKA CAMP
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We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m.), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,100 m.) at the edge of Mweka Forest. [11-15 hours walking]
Overnight
- Camping at the edge of Mweka Forest |
| DAY 7
- MWEKA – GATE / MARANGU
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Descend through the lush forest to the Park Gate at Mweka Wildlife College. (3 to 4 hours) From here you will be met and transferred to back to the Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort.
Overnight
- Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort (B, L) |
| DAY 8
- MT. KILIMANJARO – MARANGU / ARUSHA
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After breakfast you will be driven to Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha town, or the Arusha Airport to continue your journey.
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| IMPORTANT NOTES
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Personal baggage weight limit of 33lbs. per person. Additional porters can be hired for extra gear. Professional grade climbing gear, clothing and sleeping bags can reserved in advance of your arrival and delivered to you at the Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort. Gear can also be rented at the hotel on your own account.
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TREKKING ON A NATURAL, RATHER THAN MANMADE PATH, THE MACHAME ROUTE IS A DEMANDING BUT QUIE AND SCENIC ROUTE UP THE MOUNTAIN. THE RAINFOREST IS EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL. OVERNIGHTS ARE SPENT CAMPING IN TENTS, WHICH ARE CARRIED AND PITCHED BY THE ACCOMPANYING PORTERS. HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ROUTE ARE THE SHIRA PLATEAU, BARRANCO WALL AND THE KARANGA VALLEY BEFORE REACHING THE SUMMIT.
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