Kilimanjaro Climb - Machame Route Map and Itinerary

Code: TTGKCM

9 Days & 8 Nights

Climb to the summit of Africa's highest mountain

Daily Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrive Starting Point: Arusha
Kilimanjaro Airport is the best airport to arrive at. One of our representatives will meet you from your flight and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. They will also arrange to meet you in the evening for a full briefing and to answer any last minute queries you may have.
Overnight: Arusha Hotel

DAY 2: Machame Gate (1800m) to Machame Camp (3000m)
Elevation Gain: 1200m
At 9am, leave Arusha for Machame Gate, where you will meet your porters, guides, and cooks who will spend the next seven days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. The drive through coffee farms and villages to Machame Gate takes about 1.5 hours.
Your first day's destination is Machame Camp. Each day, porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival. On the first day, hike through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro's cloud forest. The forest will thin at the end of the hike and the vegetation will change to include heathers, tall grasses and wildflowers. If the weather is clear you can view the surrounding area and your ultimate destination, Kibo Peak.
Overnight: Camping

DAY 3: Machame Camp (3000m) to Shira Camp (3840m)
Elevation Gain: 840m
Today's trek is a pleasant hike but includes several uphill sections. There are many viewpoints from which you can see the plains and forests below and Kibo and Mawenzi peaks above. As you gain altitude you will notice the change in vegetation. The trees diminish in size, giving way to Kilimanjaro's famous high altitude plants. After lunch we climb the Shira Plateau, (created when Kibo's lava flows filled the Shira crater ) and then continue onto Shira Camp, where you will relax for the rest of the day. Kibo lies to the west and Mount Meru to the east.
Overnight: Camping

DAY 4: Shira Camp (3840m) to Barranco Camp (3950m)
Elevation Gain: 690m
Although this up and down day ends with an elevation gain of only 110 meters, by early afternoon you will have climbed 690 meters to a height of 4,530 meters before beginning your descent to Barranco Camp. This day is crucial for acclimatization.
After breakfast we hike east on the Shira Plateau before reaching the junction of the Shira and Lemosho Routes. Continuing on through the barren landscape before stopping for lunch. Shortly after lunch we reach the highest point of the day before descending quickly to Barranco Camp. Faster hikers or those with energy left can take a detour via Lava Tower, a 300-foot lava formation jutting out of the mountainside.
Barranco Camp, set among stands of Senecio Kilimanjari, is considered to be the most scenic campsite on the Machame Route. After arrival rest and enjoy the views.
Overnight: Camping

DAY 5: Barranco Camp (3950m) to Karanga Valley (4200m)
Elevation Gain: 250m
The day begins with a 1.5 hour scramble up Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and you may have to use your hands to climb occasionally. After the climb we descend into the green Karanga Valley and camp on the ridge above the valley to allow for greater acclimatization.
Overnight: Camping

DAY 6: Karanga Valley (4200m) to Barafu Camp (4600m)
Elevation Gain: 400m
The walk to Barafu passes through alpine desert but enjoys spectacular views of Kilimanjaro’s glaciers and Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. It’s early to bed as we will be up before midnight to tackle the summit climb.
Overnight: Camping

DAY 7: SUMMIT DAY Barafu Camp (4600m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Mweka Camp (3100m)
Elevation Gain: 1295m
Elevation Loss: 2795m
At midnight we begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. For the next six hours you hike by the light of your head torch as you tackle the ascent to the crater rim, the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point.
Sunrise comes as you reach the crater rim, a moment that you will never forget. The one hour climb from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb but the altitude makes the walk long and tiring. After celebrating reaching Uhuru Peak (5895m) we descend to Mweka Camp. On the descent you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers. After a few hours rest and breakfast at Barafu Camp, we descend for another three to five hours to reach Mweka Camp.
Overnight: Camping

DAY 8: Mweka Camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1500m)
Elevation Loss: 1600m
After the strenuous effort of yesterday your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro's cloud forest. Our vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to transfer you back to Arusha and the cold beer and hot showers you’ve been looking forward to.
Overnight: Arusha Hotel

DAY 9: Onwards Travel
A transfer back to the airport is included in this itinerary. You may wish to extend your stay in Tanzania with a safari or a visit to Zanzibar for some rest and recuperation. Our team can plan your perfect adventure.

From: £1690.00 Book