Machame Route Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania
Machame Route Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania 9 Days
Machame route is considered the most scenic of all the trails up Uhuru Peak. It requires fortitude and resilience to scale up the tough terrain but the chance of summiting is optimal and hence high
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania – Moshi
Transfer from Nairobi to Moshi town via Namanga – border. Packed lunch will be served on the way. Enjoy the amazing views of the lush agricultural Meru plantations arriving at Moshi hotel in the early evening.
By flight landing in Arusha JRO Airport – Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Arusha Airport (ARK) or Arusha or Moshi Bus Station, our representative will pick and transfer you to our base hotel in Moshi. Overnight stay at Moshi. (Bed & Breakfast)
Day 2: Moshi – Machame Gate (1800m) – Machame camp (3000m)
Hiking time: 7hrs | Distance: Approximately 11 kms | Habitat: Montane forest
Depart early after breakfast and drive to Machame Gate (1800m). After checking in at the gate, start an acclimatization ascent through the rain forest with packed lunch enroute arriving Machame camp late in the afternoon. Porters will arrive at the camp site long before and pitch tents. Dinner and overnight camping in mountain tents at Machame camp. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Day 3: Machame camp (3000m) - Shira 2 camp (3850m)
Hiking time: 6hrs | Distance: Approximately 5 kms | Habitat: Moorland
Depart Machame camp with lunch enroute and continue the climb a steep ridge for about 3 - 4 hours. The path then drops into a gorgeous river gorge before you climb more gently up onto the moorland of the Shira Plateau. The Shira Plateau is all that remains of an older volcano that was engulfed when the much larger Kili formed. On clear days the views are absolutely breath-taking: a seemingly endless expanse of multi-colored heath to the gargantuan rim at the end of the plateau where billows of clouds melt down onto the plateau floor. Dinner and overnight camping at Shira camp. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Day 4: Shira 2 camp (3850m) – Lava Tower (4630m) – Barranco camp (3950m)
Hiking time: 7hrs | Distance: Approximately 10 kms | Habitat: Semi-desert
Leave Shira with lunch enroute to Barranco. The route turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m. This day is definitely a tough one and climbers fitness is at real test with elevations and ups and downs throughout the day. We will enjoy spectacular views along the trail. Dinner and overnight camping at Barranco camp. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Day 5: Barranco camp (3950m) – Karanga camp (4000m)
Distance: 5 kms | Hiking Time: 5 hours | Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, depart the Great Barranco camp Wall (a very magnificent sight), as we approach an awesome looking obstacle which in the end turns out easier and fun to conquer. Proceed on with our days trek up the Barranco Wall, then across scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley which is the last water stop on the route. Hot lunch will be served, dinner and overnight camping at Karanga camp.
Day 6: Karanga camp (4000m) – Barafu camp (4600m)
Distance: 4 kms | Hiking Time: 5 hours | Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, begin the hike to Barafu Camp. On the way, view several of Kibo's glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route Mweka with the Machame trail. Although the trail to Barafu passes through alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Try to sleep as soon as you finish dinner as you will awake before midnight for your summit hike. Camping at this point is only for the strong wild as temperatures can drop to freezing point. Hot lunch will be served, dinner and overnight camping at Barafu camp. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Day 7: Barafu camp (4600m) – Summit attempt Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)
Hiking time: 8h to reach Uhuru Peak, 7 - 8h to descend to Mweka | Distance: Approximately 7 kms ascent - 23 kms descent | Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Start the hike at 2300hrs heading North-Westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many participants, this 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most outstanding sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting) as we head to the main peak – Uhuru Peak the highest point if Africa 19340ft (alt. 5895m) which is the highlight of our trip! After taking photos with the sunrise, descend further down to Barafu camp where you will have breakfast and later descend further with lunch enroute to Mweka camp for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Day 8: Mweka camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1800m) – Moshi
Hiking time: 4 - 5 hrs | Distance: Approximately 10 kms | Habitat: Forest
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, we descend through the lower heath scenic section that quickly turns into rainforest to Mweka gate. At the gate, successful climbers will receive their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with Green certificates while those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive Gold certificates. Thereafter onward connection and transfer to the hotel in Moshi. (Breakfast, Lunch & Bed)
Day 9: Moshi – Nairobi
After breakfast, drive to Arusha for lunch at own cost then proceed to NBO via Namanga border and further to Nairobi arriving late in the evening or transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Arusha Airport (ARK) or Arusha or Moshi Bus Station for your departure. (Breakfast)
