Mt Kilimanjaro – Machame Route

On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted by your transfer driver and taken to your accommodation in Arusha. The rest of the day will be at leisure and you may choose to relax at the hotel or perhaps explore the town of Arusha (taxi required). In the evening, you will attend a briefing in preparation of your upcoming trek. Dinner and overnight. (D) 

Machame gate (1,790m) – Machame Camp (3,010m)
Hiking time: 5-7 hours

After breakfast you will be picked up from your lodge and taken to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate. After completion of all the necessary paper work, your adventure commences. Your destination for today is the Machame Camp, a 5 – 6 hour hike. Soon you will be hiking through the lush rainforest with its large ancient trees, primeval ferns and endemic flowers, like the Impatiens Kilimanjaro. You might also spot black and white thumbless colobus monkeys, peeking through the leaves. Reaching the campsite you will have time to relax, stretch your legs and enjoy a hearty meal, before snuggling into your tent for the night. (BLD)

Machame Camp (3,010m) – New Shira Camp (3,845m)
Hiking time: 4 - 6 hours

Today’s early start is not due to a long stretch, but rather to allow you to reach New Shira Camp at around mid-afternoon. As you walk you will notice the dramatic change in the landscape – from lush and green rainforest to dry moor and heath land. Arriving at your campsite a beautiful view of the mountain range opens up before you. The glaciers of Kibo glistens in the golden hue of the setting sun as you enjoy another lovingly cooked meal before climbing into your tent. (BLD)

Shira Camp 2 (3,845m) - Lava Tower Hut (4,640m) - Barranco Camp (3,960m)
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours

Acclimatization is on today’s menu, where you will climb roughly 700 m, but sleep on a level not much higher than the previous night. Starting at Shira Plateau, you will make your way up to Lava Tower (4,640m), where you will rest a while, before continuing through the Barranco Valley to the beautiful Barranco Camp. The trek will take approximately 6 – 7 hours, but the various distractions of the alpine desert as well as the Barranco Valley with its small lobelia plants and giant senecio’s, will keep your mind off the stretch still ahead. A well-deserved dinner and overnight awaits you at Barranco Camp. (BLD)

 Barranco Camp (3,960m) - Barafu Camp (4,640m)
Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours

Today's stretch starts with the climb of the Barranco Wall. Safety is paramount, and your guides will assist you wherever necessary. Following the ridge as it traverses up and down, you can enjoy the splendid views of the south glacier of Kibo. In the Karanga Valley you will have lunch, followed by a 2 to 3 hours climb to Barafu Camp. Once at the camp, you can relax, have dinner and call it an early night. (BLD)

Barafu Camp (4,640) - Uhuru Peak (5,895m) - Mweka Camp (3,080m)
Hiking time: 10 – 14 hours

After a cup of hot tea and a light snack, the climb begins at midnight. By torchlight, you will climb the screes of Kibo. After 5 to 7 hours of ascending in the dark you will arrive at Stella Point (5730m), the crater rim of Mount Kilimanjaro. Another 1 to 2 hours climb along the crater ridge will lead you to Uhuru Peak. Here you will see Kilimanjaro in all its glory, enjoying the 360 degree view over the landscape below as the sun rises. You are now standing on the “Roof of Africa”. The simple descent runs almost along the same route and shortly before midday, you should arrive at Barafu Camp where the porters and the cook will be waiting for you. After a warm meal and a well-deserved break of approximately 1 to 2 hours, you will be on your way down to Mweka Camp where supper and a well-earned rest await you. (BLD)

Mweka Camp (3,080m) - Mweka Gate (1,630m) - Arusha
Hiking time: 2 – 3 hours

The final leg of your amazing adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. Then a gentle 2 to 3 hours' descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate, where your driver will be waiting for you. He will take you back to your lodge and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to rest or to celebrate your achievement. (BD)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward flight. (B)