Kilimanjaro - Machame Route Trip highlights:

The Machame route is our most popular and successful route leading to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Hikers sleep in tents which are carried up the mountain by support crews. The Machame route is a very scenic and beautiful route, which can be completed in 6 days, however we strongly recommend hiking the route in 7 days, allowing for more time to acclimatise.
The key to the success of the Machame route is its topography, allowing hikers to climb high and sleep low, helping towards better acclimatisation. There are however two drawbacks on this route:
Firstly hikers will need to pass an area just before the Shira ridge and hike the Barranco Wall, both of which are physically demanding and also present a potential problem for hikers with a fear of heights.
The second problem relates to the route’s high success rate, compounded by the fact that other routes join the Machame route from day 3 onwards – higher numbers of hikers can be therefore be encountered on this route.
The route utilises the Mweka route as a descend route..

Package Itinerary:

• Day 1: Drive to Machame Gate, commence climb to Machame Camp (3000m)

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  After completing the necessary registration formalities, the climb starts from Machame Gate (1800m) and follows a ridge through dense montane forest.
  This is the richest forested area on the mountain, and also the zone from where 96% of the water on Kilimanjaro originates.
  On sunny days, and especially in the dry season, this section is very lush and beautiful; it can also be a very muddy experience, particularly if it has rained recently! We have lunch at ‘Halfway Clearing’, a small opening in the trees, and continue climbing steadily.
  The gradient becomes gentler as the forest slowly merges into giant heather close to the next camp near the ruins of Machame Hut (3000m).
  We may get our first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo if the evening clouds permit.
  [6-8 hours walking]
• Day 2 : To Shira camp (3840m)

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  A shorter day that begins by climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known as Picnic Rock.
  There are excellent views of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau from here, and it is a good rest point too! The trail continues less steeply to reach the Shira Plateau.
  We camp near Shira Hut (3840m) which has some of the most stunning views on Kilimanjaro; close to the huge volcanic cone of Kibo, the spectacular rock formations of Shira Plateau, and looking across to Mt Meru floating on the clouds.
  [4-6 hours walking]
• Day 3 : Shira Camp - Barranco Camp

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  Breakfast session take place at 7:30am Shira campsite depart to Barranco campsite continue east up a ridge via junction towards the peak of Kibo.
  As you walk, your direction change to the southeast towards Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth."
  Shortly after reaching the second junction which brings you near to Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4600Mt descent downhill to Barranco campsite at altitude of 3950Mt Although you end your day at the same elevation as you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and it will help you to prepare for the summit session.
  Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp; Elevation 4600Mt.
  Distance: 11 km; Hiking Time: 6-7 hours;
  Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Day 4 : To Barafu campsite (4600m)

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  We follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu campsite (4600m) for lunch.
  There is a short acclimatisation walk to the plateau at the bottom of the South-East valley (4800m).
  The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.
  [4-5 hours walking].
• Day 5 : Summit Uhuru Peak (5895m), then descend to Millenium Camp (3800m)

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  We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5735m), in about five or six hours.
  We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi.
  Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5895m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.
  The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite Millenium (3800m).
  [11-15 hours walking]!
• Day 6 : Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate

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  After your last breakfast on the mountain which save in the morning leave mweka camp descent downhill via rainy forest to Mweka gate at lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy.
  From the gate our vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to a hotel in Moshi for hot shower and leisure dinner overnight.
  Mweka Camp to–Mweka gate 3100Mt-1640Mt Distance: 10 km; Hiking
  Time: 3-4 hours;
  Habitat: Rain Forest.
  END OF TREKKING TOUR.