A DETAILED ITINERARY FOR THE KILIMANJARO CLIMB – 6-DAY MACHAME ROUTE

Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. There, you will meet our guide, who will brief you on your upcoming trek and conduct an equipment check to ensure you have all the necessary mountain gear ready to start your six-day Machame route. Any missing gear can be rented at this location on the day of your climb.

Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
-Elevation: 1640m to 2835m
-Distance: 11 km
-Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
-Habitat: Rain Forest
The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey goes through the village of Machame, located on the mountain's lower slopes. After leaving the park gate, we walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are advisable in this area. We will continue for a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
-Elevation: 2835m to 3850m
-Distance: 5 km
-Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
-Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, we depart from the rainforest glades and continue along an ascending path, crossing a small valley and walking on a steep, rocky ridge covered with heather until it ends. The route then turns west into a river gorge. It's time to rest, have dinner, and enjoy an overnight stay at Shira campsite.

Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
-Elevation: 3,850 m to 4,600 m to 3,900 m
-Distance: 10 km
-Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
-Habitat: Semi-desert.
From the Shira Plateau, we head east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction shifts southeast toward the Lava Tower, known as Shark's Tooth. Shortly after passing the tower, we reach the second junction, which leads us up to Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft. We then descend to the Barranco Hut, situated at an altitude of 13,000 ft. Here, we rest, enjoy dinner, and spend the night. Although we end the day at the same elevation as when we started, this day is crucial for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the elevation.

Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
-Elevation: 3900m to 3960m to 4680m
-Distance: 9km
-Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
-Habitat: Alpine Desert.
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue along a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite. We then depart from Karanga and reach the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. Next, we proceed to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you will have completed the South Circuit, which provides views of the summit from various angles. Here, we set up camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this location.

Day 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
-Elevation: 4680m to 5895m to 3100m
-Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
-Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
-Habitat: Arctic.
Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 AM, we will continue our ascent to the summit, navigating between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You will head northwest and ascend through loose scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This segment of the trek is the most mentally and physically challenging.
Upon reaching Stella Point (18,600 ft), we will take a short rest and, weather permitting, be rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise. From Stella Point, be prepared to encounter snow during the one-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you will stand at the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and all of Africa. Faster hikers may even witness the sunrise from the summit.

After enjoying the views, we will descend to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Be sure to have gaiters and trekking poles to help navigate the loose gravel on the way down. Mweka Camp is in the upper forest, where mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.
Later in the evening, we will share our last dinner on the mountain and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Moshi
-Elevation: 3100m to 1640m
-Distance: 10 km
-Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
-Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, we will continue our descent to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. Conditions may be wet and muddy at lower elevations, so gaiters and trekking poles will be helpful. Shorts and T-shirts should suffice, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing easily accessible. From the gate, you will continue for another hour to Mweka Village, where a vehicle will meet you to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi. This marks the end of the 6-Day Machame trek Route.

Depart Tanzania
The day is set aside for relaxation after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times, you might explore Moshi town and pick up some souvenirs before heading to the airport. Safari, Zanzibar, and other add-ons are available to continue exploring Tanzania.