6 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Breakfast, pick up and drive to Machame gate. Today’s walk is a long one: in pure numbers, you will gain around 1332 metres of altitude over a distance of just under 11km/7miles and can expect to be walking for between 5 and 6 hours. You will also be able to see Kibo Peak, away to the east. The birdlife around the camp is surprisingly rich, so look out for species such as olive thrush and stonechat. We hope to reach camp at about 17.00hrs, giving you a couple of hours of welcome rest before dinner is served.

Accommodation: Overnight at Machame Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch Boxes and Dinner.

Journey Distance and Altitude: From 1640m at Machame Gate to 2972m at the Machame Camp-5 – 6 hours walking

Today’s stage is short and steep, as we push on up to an altitude of over 3804 metres. Having made an early start around 08.30hrs, we would expect to reach our camp by 14.00 hrs. From Shira Caves, you will have time to marvel at some great natural sights such as the so-called ‘Shira Cathedral,’ Klute Peak and Mount Meru, before enjoying your dinner around 18.00hrs.

Accommodation: Overnight at Shira 2 Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch Boxes and Dinner.

Journey Distance and Altitude: from 2972m at Machame Camp to 3804m at Shira Caves -4-6 Walking hours

Today’s stage is considerably different in character from yesterday’s, with a much longer trek. The overall distance today means that we will actually be walking for around 6 to 8 hours, excluding breaks. Once again, our day will begin with breakfast at 07.00hrs and departure at 08.30hrs, when we begin our trek across the stony landscape of Shira Plateau. The vegetation is sparse at first, with just a few hardy lichens to admire. You climb towards the Lava Tower and your picnic lunch is taken at 13.00hrs. After passing the highpoint of the day by the Lava Tower, we then descend down to the Barranco Camp. Once at camp, you should take time to admire the views of the southern face of Kibo as well as the Heim Glacier. Dinner tonight is served at 19.00hrs

Accommodation: Overnight at Barraco Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch Boxes and Dinner.

Journey Distance and Altitude: From 3804 at Shira Caves, up to Lave Tower at 4630m, then down to Barranco Camp at 3950m- 6 to 8 Walking hours

Today will be a challenge that much is certain! We will breakfast again at 07.00hrs, in anticipation of what will prove to be a long day. Our departure time today will be 08.00hrs, with a cooked lunch scheduled at Karanga for midday. Our ultimate destination, Barafu Camp, should be reached by 16.00hrs with our dinner at 18.00hrs. At the top of the climb, the landscape remains bleak as you descend into a valley and you get your first sight of another glacier, Rebmann. At the end of this valley is today’s goal, the Barafu Camp, at which you arrive after a short, steep scramble and a walk

Accommodation: Overnight at Barafu Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch Boxes and Dinner.

Journey Distance and Altitude:  From Baracco to Barafu Camp – 8 walking hours -8589m

If there is one certainty on Kilimanjaro, it is that ‘summit day’ will be the toughest! But although hugely challenging, hopefully it will be matched with the great sense of achievement of reaching your goal – the summit of Kilimanjaro!

Our schedule for our ‘Summit Day’ is of course very different. Rising at 23.00hrs, we take our tea and biscuits (23.30hrs) before a midnight departure. We begin with a long, tough climb from Barafu at 4556 metres to Stella Point at 5756 meters; for some of this you will be walking on screen, making your trek more difficult.

From Stella Point, there is still another 139 meters of ascent and 45 minutes’ walk to the summit. Our goal is to reach the top (5895 meters) by around 07.00hrs then celebrate (of course!) take our precious photos and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience. After the summit (5895 meters), we return to Barafu (4556 meters), where we rest for a couple of hours, take a Brunch and then leave again at 13.30hrs to continue to descend to Mweka Camp (3100 metres) where we spend the night.

Accommodation: Overnight at Mweka Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch Boxes and Dinner.

Journey Distance and Altitude:11-14 hours from 4556m at Barafu Camp to the summit at 5895m, then down to 3100m at Mweka Camp

Still thrilled by your achievement, breakfast is taken at 07.00hrs and at 08.00hrs you can take the chance to reward your trekking team at the ‘Tipping Celebration.’

Although we still have 9km to walk, departure is at a leisurely 09.00hrs and you descend down to the Mweka Gate which sits at an altitude of 1640 metres. There, you will be served a cooked lunch at midday and be presented with your hard-earned certificate.

Your vehicle transport will be waiting to return you back to your Hotel in Arusha, where you can choose to relax – or, if you have any energy left, to celebrate!

Accommodation: Overnight at Arusha Planet Lodge  

Meal Plan: Breakfast basis

Journey Distance and Time: 3-4 hours walking from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, descending from 3100m to 1640m; from Mweka Gate to Arusha (by vehicle) 3 hours

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.