7 Days Machame Route Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking

A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start hiking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:

Change in Elevation: Machame Camp (3,010 M)

Hiking Distance: Approximately 5 Km

Hiking Time: 5-6 Hours

Habitat: Rain-forest

After breakfast you will start hiking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp (3,845 m). On this day you will emerge from the rain-forest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Physically speaking, the trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 300 meter gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp you will be served a hot dinner.

Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3,845 M)

Hiking Distance: Approximately 5 Km

Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours

Habitat: Moorland

Depart Shira Camp after breakfast and head towards Lava Tower ascending from 3,845 to 4,630 m. The rise-and-fall nature of this trek may present some difficulties. However, the 4,600 m altitude at the Lava Tower itself is crucial for proper acclimatization. The lunch break will take place here in order to give you some extra high-altitude time before descending approximately 650 m to Barranco Camp (3,960 m), which is the next overnight stop on this route. Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! T

Change in Elevation: Barranco Camp (3,960 M)

Hiking Distance: Approximately 11 Km

Hiking Time: 6-8 Hours

Habitat: Grassland

On this day it is best to make an early start to avoid crowding on the way up Barranco Wall. Despite the Wall’s seemingly daunting height and steepness, the actual climb is rather merciful at a mere hour or so. The top provides a great photo opportunity with Kibo Peak as the backdrop. The next part of the day is rife with ups and downs where your guides will choose the best place for individual climbers. A lunch break at Karanga Camp shall be followed by an acclimatization climb towards Barafu with its highest point being 4,270 m. The group then drops back to Karanga Camp for the overnight.

Change in Elevation: Karanga Valley Camp (4,035 M)

Hiking Distance: Approximately 5 Km

Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization climb towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp with its highest point being 4,800 m and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.

Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 M)

Hiking Distance: Approximately 6 Km

Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Summiting starts around midnight from 4,635 m, ending on Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m. While the trek itself is fairly simple, rarified mountain air does pose a challenge. Therefore, a guide who will monitor their condition throughout the climb shall accompany every two climbers ensuring safety above all. Upon summiting, you shall have an opportunity to walk on the nearby glacier. The descent to 3,820 m at Millennium Camp starts after a two-hour rest back at Barafu Camp.

Change in Elevation: Millennium Camp (3,820 M)

Hiking Distance: Approximately 15 Km

Hiking Time: 8-12 Hours

Habitat: Arctic

This last camp’s position being far lower at the forest line will afford you a good night’s sleep further enhanced by thoughts of having reached the top. Breakfast will be followed by the return to 1,650 m at the final point in this adventure- Mweka Gate. After a short celebration with the whole of the climb crew and arrival at our offices, you will receive your climb certificates, followed by the drive to your hotel.

Change in Elevation: BMweka Gate (1,650 M)

Hiking Distance: Approximately 12 Km

Hiking Time: 4-5 Hours

Habitat: Rain-forest

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport. The total distance covered is 70 Km or 42 miles.

End of the climb.