6 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking - Machame Route

The Kilimanjaro mountain is Africa's highest mountain and the worlds tallest free-standing mountain at 5895 meters above sea level. It has three major volcanic centers which are Shira (4160 m), snow-capped Kibo (5895 m) and Mawenzi. When driving from Moshi to the gate, you will see coffee and banana plantations which are food and cash crops grown by locals. Dinner and overnight at Machame hut you can sleep early to serve the energy for the following day.

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. About three to four hours walk arrive for time to rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, 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 4876m/15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860m/12,664 ft. 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 while dinner and overnight at Millennium camp.

After breakfast, we leave Baranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (lunch at 4200m/13,779 ft), and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up 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 while dinner and overnight at Barafu camp.

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (5685m / 18,652 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. 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 camp.

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive 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). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha or airport drop off. Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration.