Kilimanjaro Climb Tour Experience via Machame Route

Day 1: Arriving in Tanzania

1. 10m · Admission ticket included
   Our Kilimanjaro adventure starts the Moment you land at Kilimanjaro international Airport, You will be met by our staff at the airport and transferred to Arusha in the peaceful surrounds of our comfortable pre and post trek accommodation in Arusha, The African Tulip, from where there are great views of the mountain. You can relax by the pool before your briefing with the Guides, who will provide the essential information for your trek to the roof of Africa.

Day 2: Machame Gate (1490m) – Machame Camp (2980m)

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   7h
   After an early breakfast in Arusha, 1400m, you'll be driven to Machame Village, where you can buy water and receive a packed lunch. Depending on road conditions, you may either drive directly to the Machame Gate or walk three kilometers in muddy conditions to reach it. After registering, you’ll begin your ascent into the rain forest, where rain is common, making the trail muddy and slippery. You’ll stop for lunch halfway before continuing to the Machame campsite in the late afternoon. Upon arrival, your porters will have already set up your tent. The porters will boil water for drinking and washing, while the cook prepares dinner. As night falls, temperatures may drop to freezing, and you'll retire to your tent to rest for the next day’s journey.

Day 3: Machame camp (2980m) – Shira camp (3840m)

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   6h
   You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for two hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite at three thousand eight hundred forty mete. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.

Day 4: Shira (at 3840m) to Lava Tower (at 4630m) to Barranco camp (at 3950m)

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   7h
   The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a five hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower, 4630m. This is definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner.

Day 5: Barranco camp (3950m)- Barafu camp (4550m)

1. 7h
   After a night at the Great Barranco Wall, you begin the ascent, which turns out to be easier than expected. Once you reach the top, just below the Heim Glacier, you are treated to stunning views of Kilimanjaro. The route then descends through the Karanga Valley, passing ridges and valleys, and joins the Mweka route, the preferred descent from the summit. After turning left up the ridge, you reach Barafu Hut. This camp is known for being cold and exposed to strong winds, located on a narrow, rocky ridge with no water supply. The last water stop is in Karanga Valley. At Barafu, prepare for your summit attempt by organizing your gear, replacing batteries for your headlamp and camera, and carrying water in a thermal flask to prevent freezing. After an early dinner, aim to sleep by 7:00 PM to rest before the final ascent, which begins later that night. The summit is 1,345 meters higher, and the night climb will be demanding.

Day 6: Barafu camp (4550m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   8h · Admission ticket included
   You will rise around eleven thirty PM, have tea and biscuits, and begin your night ascent towards Stella Point on the crater rim. The six hour climb through heavy scree is mentally and physically challenging for many climbers. At Stella Point 5,685m, you’ll rest briefly and enjoy a magnificent sunrise, weather permitting. From there, you’ll encounter snow during the two hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time spent at the summit depends on weather conditions, but don't linger too long due to cold and fatigue. After enjoying the accomplishment, you’ll begin your descent to Barafu Hut, a three hour walk. At Barafu, take a short rest, gather your gear, and continue down through rock, scree, and moorland into the forest. The camp, situated in the upper forest, may experience mist or rain in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be ready upon arrival.

Day 7: Mweka camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1980m)

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Following a well deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point five thousand six hundred eighty five meters receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak five thousand eight hundred ninety five meters receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for one hour, three kilometers. You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness