Kilimanjaro Climb – Machame Route

Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to your lovely country inn. Welcome to Africa!

NOTE: if your flight arrives in the evening, we highly recommend adding an additional pre-climb night or two to allow you to rest before the climb.

This afternoon is spent with your climbing guide, preparing you for your climb with a briefing.

After breakfast, transfer by vehicle to Machame gate where your crew finalizes packing and after finishing with formalities you start off from Machame gate.

Today's hiking is through verdant afromontane forest to Machame camp and on route you have a picnic lunch. Look out for pretty endemic flora and a gradation of forest zones! Depending upon weather conditions, this can be a moderate to demanding day’s work.

Camp is pitched at Machame huts around 9, 800 ft. (Approx. 11 miles, 5-6-hours)

From Machame camp you hike to Shira Camp. The first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly. A picnic lunch is taken on trail today. The zone you pass through today is known as the heath zone where attractive Helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys. The path then drops into a river gorge before ascending more gently onto the moorland of the Shira Plateau, one of the most fascinating areas of the Mountain.

Camp is placed near the Shira Hut at 12, 600 ft.

Today is a walk high sleep low day. You ascend into alpine desert and for those that are feeling strong you can even head up to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco camp.

This is a long day but note that the next time you head to this altitude is in two days time - great acclimatization day! The path down to the Barranco Valley can be particularly rewarding and the view of Kibo peak is truly spectacular. In the evening the blanket of cloud often hangs just below the valley, pulsating in the dying light.

Camp is pitched in the Barranco Valley at around 12, 960 ft.

Today you ascend the Barranco wall, then walk across scree and ridges into the Karanga Valley (13, 450ft) with breathtaking views of the Western Breach and the southern glacier. Today is a relatively short day hiking and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. In the afternoon a walk can be taken with your guides for great views of the Southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys.

Today is another half day ascending to Barafu camp. From Karanga we head up a moraine ridge taking our time and going slowly. The climb today will entail some rock climbing skills and hugging a few narrow ridge paths. The views here can be spectacular on the southern glaciers and of the glacial valleys that snake their way down the mountain. The final stage to Barafu is quite steep, and as always we take it very slowly.

As with the day before you reach camp by around lunch time leaving lots of time to prepare and relax. At an early dinner this evening your guide briefs you for the final ascent. (Approx. 3 miles, 2-3 hours).

You rise early, and depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Get ready for one of the most physically challenging and yet exhilarating days of your lives! Each climber is assigned a summit guide to ensure that everyone makes it to the top, or returns as required in complete safety. The going is slow, and often quite frustrating on the scree, but persistence and patience ensure steady progress. Near the summit you pass through the gap between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers. At Stella Point you can then choose to return - you are, after all, already higher than any point in Africa! Otherwise, continue to Uhuru Peak (19, 343 ft). Despite the distance being relatively short, progress is slow - there is less than half the oxygen than at sea level! Uhuru Peak provides a unique satisfaction and usually releases a plethora of emotions. If progress is good you can watch the sunrise from the rooftop of Africa!

What goes up must come down and your goal today is to reach Mweka camp. The descent is surprisingly strenuous on loose dirt and scree. Your guide will be invaluable in helping choose your every step today.

The final descent takes you through the lower heath section that quickly turns into rainforest and finally to the Mweka Gate (approx. 9 miles, 3-4 hours). A few staff parting formalities (tipping, completion certificates and back-patting ceremonies) and then transfer by vehicle to your lodge. Could a hot shower feel any better? Or swim in the pool before dinner. Celebrate your achievement of conquering Kilimanjaro!!

Breakfast and check out. You will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward arrangements.

We highly recommend extending your time to include safari! Or how about some time relaxing on the Indian Ocean beaches? Let us suggest some options that best fit your travel style and timing. If you choose to end your adventure here, we can arrange a dayroom and dinner (additional charge) prior to your transfer for your evening flight.