6-Day Kilimanjaro Trekking – Machame Route

The first day of trekking starts at Machame Gate, which is typically accessible after an hour's drive from Moshi. You will meet your trekking group, guide, porters, and cook at the gate. As we finish park formalities, there will be a flurry of activity as porters put together equipment for the trek. The route climbs steadily for the first part, passing through amazing, dense rainforests. Because this path is less frequently used, it can become somewhat overgrown in some areas and is frequently muddy and wet underfoot.

Overnight stay Machame Camp
Hiking Distance: | 11km / 7 mile
Approx. trekking time: | 5 – 7 hours
Zone: | Rainforest.

Meal Plan: L & D

You will rise early on the second day because we are going to continue hiking through the forest until we come to the steep climb onto the Shira Plateau. As you approach the low alpine zone, which is distinguished by moorlands and grasslands, the hike becomes somewhat steep. Shira Camp 2 is located on a plateau from which you can see Mount Meru in the east and Kibo in the northwest for the first time. Day two is about four to six hours long and covers 5.4 km / 3.4 miles.

Overnight stay Shira 1 Camp

Hiking Distance: | 5.4km / 3.4 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 5 hours
Zone: | Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone.

Meal Plan: B, L & D

The third day's walking across high moorland completely alters the character of the terrain. After navigating the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, you will eventually arrive at camp after going beneath the Lava Tower and the last segment of the Western Breach. We have been at an altitude (up to 4600m) for the entire day. Even though you finish the day at a much lower elevation than when you began at Shira Camp, it is still regarded as one of the most crucial because it allows you to acclimate properly by allowing you to climb high and sleep low.

Overnight stay at Shira 2 Camp

Distance: | 10.8km / 6.7 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 8 hours
Zone: | Low alpine zone / High alpine zone.

Meal Plan: B, L & D

The fourth day of the Machame Route starts with a descent into the massive ravine known as the Great Barranco. After that, you'll ascend the Great Barranco Wall, which separates you from Kibo's southeast slopes, in a steep manner. It's a long and exhausting rock climb, but not particularly technical. You will travel towards the Karanga Valley, your final freshwater stop before the summit, passing beneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers. Note: Before moving on to Barafu, hikers on the seven-day route spend the night at Karanga Camp. There is an acclimatization benefit to having this extra day.

Overnight stay at Barranco Camp

Distance: | 8.5km / 5.3 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 8 hours
Zone: | High alpine zone.

Meal Plan: B, L & D

The summit night and day are on day five! Starting at midnight, you will hike steeply upward to reach the glaciers at the summit. You will gain incredible height in a short amount of time while climbing scree, which takes four to five hours. The vistas are breathtaking. When the sun rises, you should be at Stella Point (5739m), on the crater rim. You are surrounded by stunning ice cliffs inside the crater, and the views of the angular Mawenzi peak and beyond are simply stunning. You can hike for an additional hour to reach Uhuru Peak (5895m), the summit. After returning to Stella Point, you will descend a steep slope and make your way back to Barafu Camp for breakfast before making your way down to Mweka.

Overnight stay Barafu Camp

Hiking Distance: | 16.4km / 9.6 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 13hours – 15hours
Zone: | Glacial zone and all preceding zones.

Meal Plan: B, L & D

The summit stage is on day six. It will be around midnight when you start your last, arduous ascent. At 5220 meters, you will pass the Hans Meyer Cave; the ascent increases gradually but steadily. You will arrive at Gillman's Point (5681 m), the Kilimanjaro crater rim, at sunrise, when the sun will begin to gradually warm the ground. After another hour or two of hiking, you will have forgotten the night's chill and reach Uhuru Peak, which is located at an elevation of 5895 meters.

No accommodation on this day.

Distance: | 9.1km / 7.5 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 3 hours
Zone: | Rainforest.