Itinerary

1. Day 1: Machame Gate (1800m) to Machame Camp

   Full Board at Machame Camp. The climb starts from Machame Gate (1830m). We walk through the lush lower slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Slowly gaining altitude while enjoying the diverse flora and fauna of the rain forest, you will arrive at the first Machame Camp, 3000m above sea level. If it is a clear day, we may get our first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo if the evening clouds permit.

   Rise (ft): 1,800m to 2835m

   Stretch: 11 km

   Hiking time: 5-6 hours

   Climatic Habitat: Montane Forest/ Rainforest

2. Day 2: Machame Hut (2835m) to Shira Camp (3,750m)

   Full Board Shira Cave Camp. A shorter day - climb up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known as a picnic site and continue up a gentler ascent through the lower alpine moorland, known for beautiful wild alpine flowers. The most spectacular view of Kibo Peak can be seen from Shira Camp.

   Rise (ft): 2835m to 3,750m

   Stretch: 5 km

   Hiking time: 5-6 hours

   Climatic Habitat: Moorland

3. Day 3: Shira Camp (3750m) to Barranco Camp 3900M

   On day three, hiker(s) walk on a gentle ascent and panoramic views. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the western Breach. After a hot lunch at the bottom of the Lava Tower (4,600m), we descend to the Great Barranco Valley (3,950m).

   Rise (ft): Shira Cave Camp 3,750m to Barranco Camp 3,900m

   Stretch: 10 km

   Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours

   Climatic Habitat: Moorland

   Shelter: Barranco Camp

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp (3900m) to Karanga Camp (3995m)

   A steep climb up the eastern wall leads hikers just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. The trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley. Finally, we have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp.

   Rise (ft): Barranco Camp 3,900m to Karanga Camp 3995m

   Stretch: 6 km

   Hiking time: 3.5 to 4 hours

   Climatic Habitat: Moorland

   Shelter: Karanga Camp

5. Day 5: Karanga Camp (3995m) to Barafu Camp (4,673m)

   A steep climb out of Karanga and an easy path on compacted scree with expansive views through this empty and dry landscape up to Barafu Camp. The two incredible peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi can be seen from Barafu Camp. After a hot lunch at the camp, the remainder of the day is spent resting as we prepare for the final ascent before an early night summit walk.

   Rise (ft): Karanga Camp 3995m to Barafu Camp 4,673m

   Stretch: 4 km

   Hiking time: 3-4 hours

   Climatic Habitat: Alpine Desert

   Shelter: Barafu Hut Camp

6. Day 6: Barafu Camp (4673m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3100m)

   Hikers wake up before midnight in the cover of darkness. Hikers will begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree, some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to the rim of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5,735m. Hikers will rest there for a few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those still feeling good can continue slowly to make the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to the main peak, 5,895m, the highest point in Africa! After a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment, hikers descend to Barafu amazingly fast. We stop at Barafu Camp for refreshments and continue to descend to Mweka Camp.

   Rise (ft): Barafu Camp 4,673m to Uhuru Peak 5,895m (Via Stella Point 5756m)

   Stretch: 4.3 km ascent to Stella Point

   Stretch: 5km Barafu to Uhuru Peak Ascent

   Hiking time: 6-7hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent

   Climatic Habitat: Alpine Desert

   Shelter: Mweka Camp

7. Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100m) to Mweka Gate (1,640m)

   Half Board, a gentle walk, takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate; successful climbers will receive their summit certificates. After lunch, hikers drive back to Moshi to your hotel, and this will be the end of the hiking Kilimanjaro for 7 days via the Machame Route.

   Rise (ft): Mweka Camp 3,100m to Mweka Gate 1,640m

   Stretch: 10 km

   Hiking time: 4 -5 hours

   Climatic Habitat: Montane Forest