6 days Machame route

Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Hike to Machame Camp

In the morning, we depart from our base hotel at approximately 8:00 AM for the Machame village where you begin the trek. From the park entrance gate (Machame), you will walk for about two to three hours through a dense forest of fig and rubber trees, begonia flowers, and other tropical vegetation. A stop for picnic lunch will be made halfway to this evening’s campsite. As you continue your ascent, you will find that the tropical forest has given way to tall grasses and giant heather. You will be walking on a ridge, to the left of which is the Semira stream, and on the right, the Weru Weru. Depending on the pace of the climbers, arrival at Machame Camp is usually between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Your camp is set up near some old metal huts, which were once used for shelter.
This initial stage of the climb is tranquil and relatively easy. There is no point in rushing to get to the camp, as there is little to do there. Guides tend to recommend a slow ascent, even at this point, for gradual acclimatization. Do not try to keep up with your porters, who will usually bound ahead. Instead, take time to admire the beauty of the rainforest. Overnight: Machame Camp (10, 000 ft).

1. Elevation: 1800m/6000ft to 3000m/9842ft
2. Distance: 11km/7mi
3. Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
4. Habitat: Montane Forest

Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp

On this and subsequent mornings, wake-up call is at around 6:00 AM. You will be greeted with a steaming cup of tea or coffee, and weather permitting, by a fabulous view of Uhuru peak. Today’s trek takes you up a steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, volcanic rock, and bearded heather. You will encounter giant groundsels as you hike through a ghostly landscape of volcanic lava, caves, and foamy streams.
Lunch will be taken just below the Shira Plateau, about three to four hours from Shira Camp. The hike to the next campsite takes approximately six hours and you should arrive between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Most climbers tend to pace themselves, walking slowly and resting about every half-hour. Overnight: Shira Camp (12,500 ft)

1. Elevation: 3000m/9842ft to 3840m/12,598ft
2. Distance: 5km/3mi
3. Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
4. Habitat: Moorland

Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

The entire Shira Plateau greets you this morning with sweeping vistas across to Meru and the Shira Needles. A steady walk takes you up to the pass at Lava Tower (15,000 ft), where you stop to have lunch. Crossing the Bastains stream, you will begin to descend towards Barranco Camp. The descent takes you along an immense canyon called Grand Barranco. Along the way, you will see numerous waterfalls, which are fed, by streams coming from the mountain, converging here to form the Umbwe River.
Your camp is set at almost the same altitude as the night before. Today’s trek lasts for about six hours and arrival at camp is between 4:30PM and 5:30PM. Overnight: Barranco Camp (13,000 ft)

1. Elevation: 3840m/12,598ft to 3950m/12,959ft
2. Distance: 10km/6mi
3. Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
4. Habitat: Semi-Desert

Day 4: Barranco Camp – Barafu Camp

This morning you begin your hike to Barafu Camp via Karanga Camp, which is on the same altitude as Barranco Camp.
You will encounter a bit of a climb at Barranco Cliff and spend the rest of the trek climbing up and down the slopes of the mountain most of the way to camp. The climbing is not considered difficult and you should arrive in time for lunch (approximately 1:00PM) having trekked for about four hours.
In the afternoon you have to hike in the Karanga Valley where giant senecios and lobelia grow; then continue with the scenic climb to Barafu which is mostly on a moraine with a view of Mawenzi peak towering majestically to the right, and overhead, Kibo peak seemingly just out of reach. The alpine desert terrain encountered at this point is mostly a mineral environment with few lichens and mosses. Climbers arrive at Barafu Camp at around 3:30PM. Climbers who choose to ascend the peak will go to bed very early this night, as the next day is the longest one. Overnight: Barafu Camp (15,200 ft)

1. Elevation: 3950m/12,959ft to 4600m/15,091ft
2. Distance: 9km/6mi
3. Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
4. Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 5: Barafu Camp – Mweka Camp

You will be awakened at midnight and after a light breakfast, start climbing at around 1:00 AM. It is at this stage that the climb becomes much more difficult. Here, very few will not be suffering from altitude sickness in some form or another; and climbers should carry as little as possible on this portion of the climb. Temperatures will range from -4° to 5° Fahrenheit. Making your way up a path that is flanked by the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers, you will climb for about six hours before reaching the edge of the crater, between Stella and Hans Meyer points. Another hour of climbing brings you to the summit. Uhuru stands at 19,340 feet and is the highest point on the continent of Africa. The track around the edge of the crater is rocky and icy. Concentrate on your feet, and follow your guide very closely for this portion of the journey.
The descent is no easier than the ascent. You will reach Kibo Hut after about three hours (around 11:30 AM). Climbers will be given the opportunity to rest and have some refreshments before continuing on to Mweka Camp for the night. Arriving into camp at around 5:00PM, you will have trekked a total of thirteen hours today.
Overnight: Mweka Camp (10,200ft) Mweka to the Gate

1. Elevation: 4600m/15,091ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3100m/10,170ft
2. Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
3. Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
4. Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Day 6: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi

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).
From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Don't forget to tip your guides and porters.

1. Elevation: 3100m/10,170ft to 1700m/5577ft
2. Distance: 10km/6mi
3. Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
4. Habitat: Forest

Package includes:

1. Private transport from the hotel to the Park s gate (starting point for the climb), and transport back to the hotel after the climb
2. Park entry fees
3. All camping fees
4. Rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Park rescue team fees)
5. Government taxes
6. Evacuation services
7. Friendly and competent Trained Mountain Guides, assistant guides, porters and professional cooks.
8. 3 full fresh meals daily. We provide fresh food on the mountain in plentiful and well prepared by skilled professional cooks(we also consider your choice of food that you would prefer -Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian). Menu especially designed for climbers.
9. Hot drinks on the mountain and Hot water for washing will be provide everyday on the mountain.
10. Quality specious tents, sleeping mats, camping tables ,camping chairs and Mess/Dining Tent.(Not applicable on the Marangu route as accommodation is in A-frame huts)
11. Supplementary Portable Oxygen and Complete First Aid Kit (used in case of emergency only)
12. Pulse oxy-meter carried by all chief guides
13. 3-4 liters of mineral/treated water (per Climber) provided daily during the climb
14. ***Portable toilet available at an additional cost (There are public toilets on the mountain)

Do not include:

1. Items of a personal nature
2. Tips for guides, porters and cook (average tip is anything from US$200 to US$ 250 per hiker - depending on number of days / how many hikers in the group and route chosen)
3. Personal Hiking/Trekking gears (Some Gears are available for Rent)
4. Snacks, personal medicine and water purifying tablets
5. Meals, drinks and snacks not specified.