Machame In 6 Days
DAY 0 : Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we
will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha
airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be
planning to arrive atleast one day before the start of the
trek. Today we will spend in having a pre-trek briefing.
We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment
which is needed.
DAY 1 : Hotel to Machame Camp
Drive from Moshi to Machame Gate takes about 45 minutes.
The journey passes through the village of Machame which is
located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest
on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations the
trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking
poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance
until we reach the Machame Camp.
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
Distance: 1km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
DAY 2 : Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and
continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a
steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river
gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.
Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
DAY 3 : Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge,
passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we
continue, our direction changes to the South East towards
the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev
4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the
second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now
continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the
day around the same elevation as when you began, this day
is very important for acclimatization and will help your
body prepare for summit day.
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and
Dinner
DAY 4 : Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep
ridge up the Barranco Wall (elev 4250m/13,900ft), through
the Karanga Valley (elev 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction
which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the
Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which
offers views of the summit from many different angles.
Here we make camp with views of the summit in the
distance.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Distance: 9km/6mi
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
DAY 5 : Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue
our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel
glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend
through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater
rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging
portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a
short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent
sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view
the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the
way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru
Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount
Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the
summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to
the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want
gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going
down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening
on the mountain.
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to
5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Hiking
Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Stone
scree and ice-capped summit
DAY 6 : Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka
Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower
elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking
poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be
plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Ndito Travel vehicle will be waiting for you at
Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi
(around 60 minutes).
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to
1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time:
3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
