Tanzania Kilimanjaro Climb – Machame Route

Machame Gate(1,800 M / 5,380 FT) – Machame Camp (2,980 M / 9,780 FT)

Walking distance: 11 km/7 miles
Walking time: 5-7 hours
Altitude gain: 1,490 m/4,890 ft

After breakfast, we will depart from our hotel at approximately 8:30 AM for the Machame village with lunch boxes to use on the trek. From the park entrance gate (Machame) 5900ft, you will walk for about two to three hours if through a dense forest of fig and rubber trees, begonia flowers, and other tropical vegetation. A stop for lunch will be made halfway to this evening’s campsite. As you continue your ascent, you will find that the tropical forest has given way to tall grasses and giant heather. You will be walking on a ridge, to the left of which is the Semira stream, and on the right, the Weru. Depending on the pace of the climbers, arrival at Machame Camp is usually between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Your camp is set up near some old metals huts, which were once used for shelter. This initial stage of the climb is tranquil and relatively easy. There is no point in rushing to get to the camp, as there is little to do there. Guides tend to recommend a slow ascent, even at this point, for gradual acclimatisation. Do not try to keep up with your porters, who will usually bound ahead. Instead, take time to admire the beauty of the afro mountain forest. Overnight: Machame Camp.

Machame Camp (2,980 M/9,780 FT) – Shira Camp (3,840 M/12,600 FT)
Walking distance: 9 km/5.5 miles
Walking time: 4-6 hours
Altitude gain: 860 m/2,820 ft

On this and subsequent mornings, wake-up call is at around 6:00 AM. You will be greeted with a steaming cup of tea or coffee, and weather permitting – a fabulous view of Uhuru peak. Today’s trek takes you up a steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, volcanic rock, and bearded heather. You will encounter giant groundsels as you hike through a ghostly landscape of volcanic lava, caves, and foamy streams. Lunch will be taken just below the Shira Plateau, about three to four hours from Shira Camp. The hike to the next campsite takes approximately six hours and you should arrive between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Most climbers tend to pace themselves, walking slowly and resting about every half-hour. On arrival in camp, there is time to relax and even go for an acclimatisation hike with your guides before dinner. Overnight at Shira Camp.

Shira Camp (3,840 M/12,600 FT) – Lava Tower (4,630 M/15,190 FT) – Barranco Camp (3,950 M/12,960 FT)
Walking distance: 15 km/9.3 miles
Walking time: 7-9 hours
Altitude gain: 10 m/360 ft (680 m/2,230 ft to Lava Tower)

The entire Shira Plateau greets you this morning with sweeping vistas across to Meru and the Shira Needles. A steady walk takes you up to the pass at Lava Tower (15,000 ft), where you stop to have lunch. Crossing the Bastain stream, you will begin to descend towards Barranco Camp. Descending takes you along an immense canyon called the Great Barranco. Along the way, you will see numerous waterfalls, which are fed, by streams coming from the mountain, converging here to form the Umbwe River. Your camp is set at almost the same altitude as the night before. Today is a full day trek and you will feel very tired. Arrival at camp is between 4:30PM and 5:30PM. Overnight at Barranco Camp.

Karanga Camp (4,040 M/13,255 FT) – Barafu Camp (4,550 M /14,930 FT)
Walking distance: 3.5 km/ 2.2 miles
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Altitude gain: 510 m/1,675 ft

The scenic climb to Barafu is mostly on a moraine and lava ridge with a view of Mawenzi peak towering majestically to the right, and overhead, Kibo peak seemingly just out of reach. The alpine desert terrain encountered at this point is mostly a mineral environment with few lichens and mosses. Lunch is taken in camp and in the afternoon there is a summit clothing check. Climbers who choose to ascend the peak will go to bed very early this night, as the next day is the longest one. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

Barafu Camp (4,550 M/14,930 FT) – Summit via Stealla Point (5,752 M/18,871 FT) To Uhuru Peak (5,895 M/19,340 FT) and descending to Millenium Camp (3,820 M/12,530 FT) or to Mweka Camp (3,100 M/10,170 FT)

You will be awakened at midnight and after a light breakfast, you will start climbing at around 12 midnight. It is at this stage that the climb becomes much more difficult. Climbers should carry as little as possible on this portion of the climb. Temperatures will range from -4° to 5° Fahrenheit. You will climb for about six hours before reaching the edge of the crater, (Stella points). Another hour of climbing brings you to the summit (Uhuru stands at 19,340 feet) and is the highest point on the continent of Africa. The track around the edge of the crater is rocky and often icy. Concentrate on your feet, and follow your guide very closely for this portion of the journey. The descent is no easier than the ascent. You will reach Barafu camp after about three hours (around 11:30 AM). Climbers will be given the opportunity to rest and have some refreshments before continuing on to Mweka Camp for the night. Arriving into camp at around 5:00PM, you will have trekked a total of thirteen to seventeen hours today. Overnight at Mweka Camp

Mweka Camp(3,100 M/10,170 FT) – Mweka Gate (1,980 M / 6,500 FT)

Walking distance: About 15 km, 9.3 mile
Walking time: 3-4 hours
Descend: 1,120m/ 3,670ft

On the final day of the journey, climbers will descend from Mweka camp to the base. Descending to the gate will take approximately 5 hours and climbers usually arrives before noon. Transfer to Keys Hotel for overnight.

Transfer after breakfast to Kilimanjaro Airport.