7 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route Experience

We depart Arusha for Machame Gate, which takes about 2 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Machame trailhead. Upon arrival at trailhead, we begin hiking through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site. Lunch on route. • Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft • Distance: 11 km/7 miles • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours • Habitat: Rain Forest The drive from Moshi to the Machame Gate takes about 50 minutes. We’ll pass through the village of Machame which is situated on the lower slopes of the mountain region. Leaving behind the park gate, we’ll walk through the dense rain forest up the ridges until we reach the Machame Camp.

We continue on the trail leading out of the rain forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. Here we catch our first glimpse of Kibo across the plateau. Lunch on route either hot lunch or packed lunch. • Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft • Distance: 5 km/3 miles • Hiking Time: 4-6 hours • Habitat: Heath We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.

• Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft • Distance: 7 km/4 miles • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours • Habitat: Alpine Desert Lava Tower to Barranco Camp • Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft • Distance: 3 km/2 miles • Hiking Time: 2-3 hours • Habitat: Alpine Desert We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. Through the Senecio Forest, we descend down to Barranco Camp to an attitudinal level of 13,000 ft. Even if you start and end at the same altitude, it is very beneficial for acclimatization.

• Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft • Distance: 5 km/3 miles • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours • Habitat: Alpine Desert We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then the climbing of a non-technical but steep 900 ft long cliff begins. As we desend down, we cross a series of hills and valleys until we reach the Karanga Valley. Another steep climb will lead us to Karanga Camp. This will be a shorter day which is meant to acclimatize your body properly.

• Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft • Distance: 4 km/2 miles • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours • Habitat: Alpine Desert We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. This point marks the completion of the southern circuit. It offers mesmerizing view of the summit from multiple angles. Here, we’ll be making our camp and rest for the rest of the day and have dinner to prepare for the upcoming summit day. Viewable from this position are two peaks, namely, Mawenzi and Kibo.

• Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft • Distance: 5 km/3 miles • Hiking Time: 7-8 hours • Habitat: Arctic Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp • Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft • Distance: 12 km/7 miles • Hiking Time: 4-6 hours • Habitat: Rain Forest Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

• Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft • Distance: 10 km/6 miles • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours • Habitat: Rain Forest On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Arusha Accommodation: https://karibuheritagehouse.co.tz/