7 Days Climb Kilimanjaro Machame Route
Following the Machame Route, The Snows of Kilimanjaro offers game viewing and bird watching opportunities along the first days’ paths en route to the top. Then, proceed up across the Shira Plateau through the Grand Baranco Canyon and to the top. If all goes as planned, reach Stella Point at dawn, and continue around Kibo’s rim to the summit, Uhuru Peak — the inspiration for Ernest Hemingway’s “The Snows of Kilimanjaro.”
Machame Route is a strenuous climb, but no mountain climbing experience is necessary. Still, there are steep ascents and high altitudes that make
robust physical fitness a prerequisite for this trip.
Day 1:
Machame Gate (1,634 M/5,363 Ft) To Machame Camp (2,834 M/9,300 Ft)
Hiking Time: 7.5 Hrs
Elevation Change: +1,200 M/+3,937 Ft
Estimated Distance: 10km/6.21 Miles
Habitat: Montane Forest.
Around o900hrs, depart Arusha/Moshi to Machame Gate, where you will meet the African Insight Climbing Crew ready for the Mountain Climb Registration. Your first day’s destination is Machame Camp. Each day, you will be accompanied by our Guides that they will be after your safety in ensuring you have succeful climb. Porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival. You will hike through the moss-covered trees of forest. If the day is clear, view the surrounding area and your final destination, Uhuru Summit.
Day 2:
Machame Camp (2,834 m/9,300 ft) to Shira Camp (3,749 m/12,300 ft)
Hiking time: 7 hrs
Elevation change: +800 m/+3,000 ft
Estimated distance: 6km/3.75 miles
Habitat:Moorland
Today’s hike includes several uphill sections. There are number of viewpoints from which you can see the plains and forests below and Kibo and Mawenzi peaks above.
As you gain altitude, observe the change in structure of vegetation. After lunch, climb the Shira Plateau, created when Kibo’s lava flows filled the Shira crater. Continue to Shira Camp, where you will relax for the rest of the day. Kibo lies to the west and Mount Meru to the east.
Day 3:
Shira Camp (3,749 m/12,300 ft) to Barranco Camp (3,901 m/12,800 ft)
Hiking time: 5 hrs
Elevation change: +100 m/+328 ft
Estimated distance: 15kms/9.32 miles
Habitat:Semi-desert
This is the acclimatization day.After breakfast, trek east on the Shira Plateau before reaching the junction for the Shira and Lemosho Routes. Carry on through the barren landscape before stopping for lunch. Shortly after lunch, reach the highest point of the day before descending quickly to Barranco Camp. Faster hikers can take a detour via Lava Tower, a 300-foot lava formation jutting out of the mountainside.
Day 4:
Barranco Camp (3,900 m/12,800 ft) to Karanga Valley Camp (3,963 m/13,000 ft)
Hiking time: 3.5 hrs
Elevation change: +100 m/+328 ft
Estimated distance: 4km/2.5 miles
Habitat:Alpine Desert
After breakfast depart from Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley. The day begins with a 1.5 hour scramble up Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you will have to use your hands to pull your body up. After reaching the top make a short descent into the greener Karanga Valley. We generally camp on the ridge above the valley to allow for greater acclimatization.
Day 5:
Karanga Valley Camp (3,963 m/13,000 ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600 m/15,091 ft)
Hiking time: 3.5 hrs
Elevation change: +600 m/+1,968 ft
Estimated distance: 4km/2.5 miles
Habitat:Ailpine Desert
This day after breakfast you will start the trek to Barafu Camp.You will have an opportunity to view several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail. Although the trail to Barafu passes through alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Try to sleep as soon as you finish dinner as you will awake before midnight for your summit hike.
Day 6:
Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,091 ft) to The Summit (5,896 m/19,343 ft) and then to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft)
Hiking time(Ascent): 7 hrs
Elevation change: +1,300 m/+4,265 ft
Estimated distance: 5km/3.2 miles
Hiking time (Descent): 5 hrs
Elevation change: -2,800 m/-9,186 ft
Estimated distance: 12km/7.5 miles
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.
At midnight, start the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The hike to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point.
The trek from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers.
At Barafu Camp, take your breakfast with short break. You still have another four to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.
Day 7:
Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft) to Mweka Gate (1,828 m/6,000 ft)
Hiking time: 4 hrs
Elevation change: -1,250 m/-4,101 ft
Estimated distance: 10km/6.21
Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast, finalize the trek by descending to Mweka Gate. Your last trek on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery. Wild Secret Safaris vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Arusha/Moshi.