Kilimanjaro - Machame Route

Itinerary

Day 1 - Moshi

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfered to your hotel. Most flights arrive at night, so no activities are planned for today.

Day 2 - Moshi

It's your first full day in Africa. You will acclimate to the new environment and take a short stroll through town and check out the local market. Tonight you will have a climb briefing where you will meet the guides, review your gear, and answer all your remaining questions.

Day 3 - Machame Hut

Machame Gate (1634 m/5,363 ft) to Machame Hut (2834 m/9,300 ft)
Hike time: 7.5 hrs
Elevation change: +1200 m/+3937 ft
Estimated distance: 10km/6.21 miles
Final elevation: 3100 m/10,170 ft

The trips begins at the Machame Gate where we sign-in, organize the gear with the porters and begin our climb around mid-day. Today is a nice leisurely hike through the tropical rain forest.

Day 4 - Shira Hut

Machame Hut (2834 m/9,300 ft) to Shira Hut (3749 m/12,300 ft)
Hike time: 7 hrs
Elevation change: +800 m/+244 ft
Estimated distance: 6km/3.75 miles
Final elevation: 3800 m/12,467 ft

From the Machame Hut, we cross the stream onto its west bank and follow the path up the steep rocky ridge - criss-crossing a few times before reaching Shira Hut at the base of a semi-circular wall of rocks. We will have ascended 900 meters (3,000’) in 5-7 hours and about 6 km (3.72 miles) of walking.

Day 5 - Barranco Hut

Shira Hut (3749 m/12,300 ft) to Barranco Hut (3901 m/12,800 ft)
Hike time: 5 hrs
Elevation change: +100 m/+328 ft
Final elevation: 3900 m/12,800 ft

From Shira Hut, we hike to Lava Tower (15,000’) to acclimate and then proceed down to Barranco Camp via the Great Barranco Wall. Tonight's camp is one of the best on the mountain.

Day 6 - Karanga Valley

Barranco Hut (3900 m/12,800 ft) to Karanga Valley (3963 m/13,000 ft) Hike time: 3.5 hrs
Elevation change: +100 m/+328 ft
Estimated distance: 4km/2.5 miles
Final elevation: 3963 m/13,000 ft

From Barranco Hut, we climb up through the edge of great Barranco Wall. It's a tough morning climb a steep trail, but once we reach the top, the views are wonderful.

Day 7 - Barafu Hut

Karanga Valley (3963 m/13,000 ft) to Barafu Hut (4,600 m/15,091 ft)
Hike time: 3.5 hrs
Elevation change: +600 m/+1968 ft
Estimated distance: 4km/2.5 miles
Final elevation: 4,600 m/15,091 ft
Today is a shorter hike than the past few days, hiking up to the final camp before we get ascent. Today is the best day to get lots of rest. 95 percent of the walking today will be above elevation of 4250m.

Day 8 - Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp

Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,091 ft) to the Summit (5896 m/19,343 ft) and then to Mweka Camp (3100 m/10,170 ft)
Summit time: 7 hrs
Elevation change: +1300 m/+4265 ft
Estimated distance: 5km/3.2 miles
Final elevation: 5896 m/19343 ft
Descent time: 5 hrs
Elevation change: -2800 m/-9186 ft
Estimated distance: 12km/7.5 miles
Final elevation: 3100 m, 10,170 ft

We will start trekking early before sunrise (1-2 am) as the walk today, we will take 10 - 14 + hours. We will try to avoid the mist that sets in later in the day. The 1,100-meter (3,600’) ascent in just over 3 km (1.86 miles) will take us about 6-8 hours, as we try to reach the summit to watch the sunrise over the Great Rift Valley. After watching the sunrise, we will have a tough hike, descending down the mountain to below the tree line.

Day 9 - Mweka Gate / Moshi

Mweka Hut (3100 m/10,170 ft) to Mweka Gate (1828 m/6,000 ft)
Descent time: 4 hrs
Elevation change: -1250 m/-4101 ft
Estimated distance: 10km/6.21
Final elevation: 1828 m/6000 ft

On your final day, we will have a short three hour hike out, walking through the lush forest. We will have lunch, and meet a vehicle at the Mweka park gate and drive back to Moshi or Arusha. If you are going on safari, we will arrange a hotel for you tonight, so you can relax and rest before you head out into the bush.

Day 10

You will be transfered to the airport for your departure.