7 Days Machame route - Kilimanjaro Climbing

Itenerary (Day by Day)

DAY 1: MACHAME GATE - MACHAME CAMP: 10.75k /7mi | 5-6 hrs | Rainforest

Elevation: 1811m/5942ft to 3021m/9911ft

Altitude gained: 1210m

Departing from Moshi a 45-minute drive will take you through the Village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

DAY 2: MACHAME CAMP - SHIRA CAMP: 5.3km/3mi | 4-5hrs | Moorland

Elevation: 3021m/9911ft to 3839m/12,595ft

Altitude gained: 818m

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite. Temperatures begin to drop.

DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP - LAVA TOWER - BARRANCO CAMP: 10.75km/6mi | 5-6hrs | Semi Desert

Elevation: 3839m/12,595ft to 3986m/13,077ft

Altitude gained: 147m

Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.

DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP - KARANGA CAMP: 5.2km/3mi | 3-4hrs | Alpine Desert

Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft

Altitude gained: 48m

After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

DAY 5: KARANGA CAMP - BARAFU CAMP: 3.3km /2 mi | 3-4hrs | Alpine Desert

Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft

Altitude gained: 628m

We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT: 4.86km /3mi up | 5-7hrs | - MWEKA CAMP: 13km /8mi down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit

Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft

Altitude gained: 1233m

Descent to 3106m/10,190ft

Altitude lost: 2789m

Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused of the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way. Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!
After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight Mweka Camp.

DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP - MWEKA GATE – MOSHI: 9.1km/6mi |3-4hrs | Rainforest

Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft

Altitude lost: 1473m

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.
From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
Overnight HOTEL IN MOSHI B&B. before being transferred to your journey home, safari or relaxing trip to Zanzibar.

CERTIFIED ETHICAL CLIMBING:

As Alpine chat adventure we believe that tourism industry has an obligation and a great opportunity to protect the world’s natural habitats, cultural heritage sites and communities. We actively promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
As a Partner for Responsible Travel, we are proud to raises public awareness to ensure proper treatment of porters on Kilimanjaro and assists implementing procedures that ensure fair and ethical treatment of the portersthrough fair salaries, mountain equipment, food, clothing and sleeping conditions for crew members.
Every climb is audited to ensure crewmembers are provided proper salaries, tips, food, equipment and sleeping conditions. We think it’s pretty great and our clients do as well, check out our Trip advisor profile to see what people are saying about us.

TREKKING COSTS:

Contact us For Price details

INCLUDED IN TREKKING PACKAGE:

CREW

Lead Guide(s), Assistant Guide(s), for 2+ people.

English Speaking & Wilderness First Responder Trained

Cook, Porters, equipment, personal client luggage (15 kg per client)

The ratio of porters per client is 4 to 5.

EQUIPMENT

Sleeping tent, 3-person size for 2 people

Sleeping mat, 2-inch foam

Pillow

Walk-in dining tent and table

Backed chairs

Wash basins with hot water each morning and evening

Private portable toilet with toilet paper

FOOD & DRINK

Three meals per day & afternoon snack during the trek

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free upon request

Treated drinking water (minimum of 3L per day while trekking with additional water available at camp)

Coffee and tea during the trek

HEALTH & SAFETY

Pulse oximeter

Altitude sickness checklists

First aid kit

Emergency oxygen

PREPARATION & FEES

Kilimanjaro National Park fees and VAT.

Camping/hut, rescue, conservation and taxes

Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages

Pre-trek briefing with your guide

ACCOMMODATION & TRANSFERS

Round-trip airport transfer between Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Moshi

Round-trip transfer between Moshi and the park gate

Hotel stays in Moshi pre- and post-trek (2 nights total) on bed & breakfast.

EXCLUDED FROM TREKKING PACKAGE:

Gratuities/tips

Personal trekking gear such as sleeping bag and clothing

Favored beverages (water, soda and alcohol at hotels)

Additional accommodation or meals resulting from early descent

Tanzania entry visa

Travel insurance

Domestic or international flights

Expenses of a personal nature

Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc

Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.

NOTE, Additional accommodation nights for acclimatize is $ 150 for one room bed breakfast

RECOMMENDED TIPPING GUIDE

Tipping is customary on Mount Kilimanjaro for all members of your mountain crew. Although they receive a fair wage, they rely on tips for a total fair compensation Tips for the team (guide, assistant guide, cook and porters) Industry recommendations are $20 a day to the Guide, $15 a day to your Assistance guide and Cook and 8$ a day to each of your porters divided by everyone in trip.

TO ENSURE FAIR AND TRANSPARENT TIPPING FOR EACH CREW MEMBER, THERE WILL BE A TIPPING CEREMONY AT THE ALPINE CHAT ADVENTURE OFFICE FOLLOWING YOUR DESCENT FROM THE MOUNTAIN. ENVELOPES WILL BE PROVIDED TO DIVIDE YOUR TIPS FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE CREW.

Activities And Transportation

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This tour starts and ends in Moshi

Book your own international flights when using this operator

Fly to/from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO – Check price) near Arusha. Or fly to/from Arusha Airport (ARK – Check price) via Dar es Salaam or Nairobi (Kenya)

A transfer from and back to the airport is included

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost