7 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. Day 1: Drive To Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Hike To Machame Camp. After a breakfast, you will be briefed on what to expect during the hiking and some secrets behind concurring the summit. And then one hour drive from Moshi town to Machame village (1490m). Guides and porters will pack your gears and food at the village. You will also be given lunch packs and mineral water at the village, which will save you as you spend seven (7) hours walking to the next stopover (Machame hut). After you have completed the registration process at the gate, you will then kick start the enjoyable hiking and will reach the Machame hut late in the afternoon. Accommodations on the mountain are tents.. Day 2: Hike Machame Camp To Shira Camp. We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.. Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp. Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft. Distance: 5 km/3 miles. Hiking Time: 4-6 hours. Habitat: Heath. Day 3: Hike Shira – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp. Following a ridge, we move east and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower which is a 300 feet tall volcanic rock formation. We’ll be descending down to Barraco Camp following the beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. You’ll be beginning and ending the day approximately at the same elevation, but the time spend in this altitude is beneficial for acclimatizing your body.. Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower. Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft. Distance: 7 km/4 miles. Hiking Time: 4-5 hours. Habitat: Alpine Desert. Lava Tower to Barranco Camp. Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft. Distance: 3 km/2 miles. Hiking Time: 2-3 hours. Habitat: Alpine Desert. Day 4: Hike Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp. We’ll begin our day with a descending trek into a ravine which is located at the base of the Great Barranco Wall. We’ll be climbing a 900 ft cliff which is non-technical in nature, but steep. Through a series of hills and valleys, we descend sharply into the Karanga Valley. Another set of steep climb will lead us to Karanga Camp. A short day means it is good for acclimatization.. Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp. Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft. Distance: 5 km/3 miles. Hiking Time: 4-5 hours. Habitat: Alpine Desert. Day 5: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp. We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. This will mark the completion of southern circuit which provided excellent view from many different angles. We’ll set up our camp here and rest for the day. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and prepare for the next summit day. Peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are easily spotted in here.. Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp. Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft. Distance: 4 km/2 miles. Hiking Time: 4-5 hours. Habitat: Alpine Desert. Day 6: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak. Just past midnight, we’ll begin our summit to the top. This is considered the most challenging part of the journey when the wind and cold can be extreme at any period of the day. With short and frequent breaks, we ascend in the darkness. Once reaching at the Stella Point which is at an elevation of 18,900 ft, you’ll be rewarded with one of the stunning view of the sunrise coming over the Mawenzi Peak. After spending some time at Stella Point, we continue on to the roof of Africa, the Uhuru Peak.. As we descend from the summit, we climb down to the Mweka Hut Camp site, making a brief stop at Barafu for our lunch. The trail is rocky which can be stressful for the knees. In this scenario, trekking poles will be really helpful. The camp is situated in the upper forest where mist and rain in the late afternoon are common occurrence. Late in the evening, we’ll have our last dinner on the mountain and will relax for the rest of the day.. Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak. Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft. Distance: 5 km/3 miles. Hiking Time: 7-8 hours. Habitat: Arctic. Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp. Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft. Distance: 12 km/7 miles. Hiking Time: 4-6 hours. Habitat: Rain Forest. Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate. On our last day, we’ll be descending down to the Mweka Gate where we’ll collect our summit certificates. AThe lower reaches can be muddy and wet depending upon rain. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. Youth Adventures and Safaris vehicle will meet you at Mweka Gate and transfer you to the hotel in Moshi.. Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate. Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft. Distance: 10 km/6 miles. Hiking Time: 3-4 hours. Habitat: Rain Forest