Mountain Day 1: Machame Gate (6,000 ft) to Machame Camp (9.700 ft)
Hiking time: 7 hours
On the way to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park the journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you leave the park gate you will walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until you reach the Machame Camp.
Mountain Day 2: Machame Camp (9,700 ft) to Shira Camp (12,600 ft)
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Shortly after leaving the Machame camp you will leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path to a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather. The route then turns west onto a river gorge onto the Shira Campsite.
Mountain Day 3: Shira Camp (12,600 ft) to Barranco Camp (12,950 ft)
Hiking Time: 7 hours
From the Shira Plateau, you will continue to the east up a ridge eventually passing the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, you come to the second junction which brings you up to the Arrow Glacier and continuing on to the Barranco campsite.
Mountain Day 4: Barranco Camp (12,950 ft.) to Karanga Camp (13,780 ft)
Hiking time: 4 hours
Leave Barranco after breakfast with a challenging scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the most difficult part of the day. Once you reach the top of the wall you will make a small descent to the Karanga Valley and spend the night a Karanga Camp.
Mountain Day 5: Karanga Camp (13,780 ft) to Barafu Camp (15,200 ft)
Hiking Time: 5 hours
You leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing up the Barranco Wall and through the Karanga Valley. From Karanga head up a moraine ridge where views can be spectacular. The final stage to Barafu is quite steep, and as always it’s taken it very slowly. In the evening your guide briefs you for the final ascent.(See Machame Route 7 dayes for optional Allimatization Day: Stay a night at Karanga Camp (13,100 ft) before continuing the next day to Barafu Camp. This gives you a little extra time to acclimate.)
Mountain Day 6: Barafu Camp (15,200 ft.) to Summit (19,340 ft) to Mweka Hut (10,000 ft)
Hiking Time: 15 hours
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), you will continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.
Mountain Day 7: Mweka Camp (10,000 ft.) to Mweka Gate (6,000 ft)
Hiking Time: 3-6 hours
From Mweka Camp you continue the descent down to the Mweka Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). At the Mweka Gate summiting climbers receive their summit certificates. Our driver will meet you at the gate and transport you to your Moshi hotel (depending on availability, overnight stay included in our packages.
Departure Day: Enjoy breakfast and a morning sightseeing in the city or join us for one of our Safari Adventures. If you are returning home our driver will bring you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to catch your flight home
