6-Day Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route

Machame Gate to Machame Camp Elevation (m): 1830m to 3100m Elevation (ft): 6000ft to 10,200ft Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Montane Forest The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail to the Machame Camp. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Hut. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy our dinner, and overnight. Shira one.

Activities : Trekking , Hiking

Accommodation : Shira One Campsite [ 2 Star ]

Elevation (m): 3100m to 3840m Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 12,600fts Walking Time: 4-6 hours Habitat: Moorland After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns West onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Activities : Trekking , Hiking

Accommodation : Shira Campsite [ 2 Star ]

Elevation (m): 3840m to 4630m to 3860m Elevation (ft): 12,600ft to 12,700ft Walking Time: 6-7 hours Habitat: Semi-desert From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 meters. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 meters. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Activities : Trekking , Hiking

Accommodation : Barranco Campsite [ 2 Star ]

Elevation (m): 3860m to 4600m Elevation (ft): 12,700ft to 15,100ft Hiking Time: 8 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (4200m), and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue to the Barafu Hut. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Activities : Trekking , Hiking

Accommodation : Barafu Campsite [ 2 Star ]

Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m) Elevation (ft): 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft) Hiking Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

Activities : Trekking , Hiking

Accommodation : Mweka Campsite [ 2 Star ]

Elevation (m): 3100m to 1830m Elevation (ft): 10,200ft Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Forest After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate.

Activities : Trekking , Hiking

Accommodation : The Charity Hotel [ 4 Star ]