7 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 5 to 6 hours. You will also be able to see Kibo Peak, away to the east. 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

An early start around 08.30hrs, we would expect to reach our camp by 14.00hrs, by which time we will have encountered the moorland lobelias and the distinctive dark obsidian rock of Shira Plateau for the first time. 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 – Walking 4-6 hours

Today is a long day but lots of acclimatization as you climb high, sleep low. We will take an acclimatization hike to Lava Tower (~15,190’) for lunch, before descending to the Barranco valley. For those who have energy, and if time and weather permit, there’s the possibility to scramble up the Lava Tower itself. The scenery is amazing today, passing through different zones of the mountain. Hiking: 6-8 hours. Dinner will be served.

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 hours

Today will be a challenge that much is certain! Our departure time today will be 08.00hrs after breakfast, 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 Karanga Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch Boxes and Dinner

Journey Distance and Altitude: From 3950m at Barranco Camp to 4033m at Karanga Camp- 4-5 hours’ walking

Breakfast at 07.30hrs and another 08.30hrs departure. Today we will ascend about 523 metres in a distance of around 4km/2miles and walking time once again is between 4 to 5 hours. We will be aiming to arrive at the Barafu Camp 4556 meters by 13.00, when we will be rewarded with a cooked lunch. (With tomorrow being the summit day, it will be important to relax and prepare for the hard work ahead.) Dinner tonight is served at 17.30hrs, giving you time to get to bed early.

Accommodation: Overnight at Barafu Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch Boxes and Dinner

Journey Distance and Altitude: From 4033m at Karanga Camp to 4556m at Barafu Camp- 4-5 hours’ walking

Start hiking at around midnight, using your headlamps to lead the way slowly up to Stella Point and then the summit. Due to the altitude, you will hike slowly, and will need to dress warmly for the cold. After celebrating with photos at the summit, descend down to Mweka camp.

Accommodation: Overnight at Mweka Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch Boxes and Dinner

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

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: From Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, descending from 3100m to 1640m – 3-4 hours walking- from Mweka Gate to Arusha (by vehicle) 3 hours.

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