Main Info
For those who only have six days to climb Kilimanjaro, the Machame route is the best choice because of its acclimatization profile. Compared to other six day routes, the Machame route exposes the climber to higher elevations quicker (day three) which kickstarts the body’s adaptation to altitude. However, this route requires that a person be in good shape to be able to tackle the challenging elevation gains and losses.
The six day Machame variation is a difficult route. In particular, day four combined with day five makes for a very hard schedule. Day four is a full day of hiking from Barranco to Barafu. Then after dinner and a partial night’s sleep, the very long and strenuous summit day begins around midnight. The 6 day Machame route requires 19-24 hours of demanding walking, at extremely high elevation, with only 4-6 hours of sleep.
What is included
-All transfers
-Professional experienced guide
-Guide, cook and porters salaries
-Park fees which includes conservation fees, camping fees, rescue & vat
-Two night’s hotel charges
-Sleeping tents and mattress.
-Quality mess tent and table
-All meals while on the mountain
-Emergence care
-Clean purified water for drinking and cooking
-Fair ethical and treatment of porters.
What is not included
-Tanzania visas
-Personal trekking such as sleeping bag boots etc but is available for rents.
-Tips and gratuities
-Travel insurance
-Meals not listed in the itinerary
-Beers and bottled beverages
– There’s a special client discount for;
-Resident living in tanzania if she/ he has a working permit
-East africa citizen
-Children under sixteen years old
Itinerary
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. You leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. You will continue a short distance until you reach the Machame Camp.
Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Altitude : 1800m to 3000m
Distance: 11 kilometers
Hiking time: 5 to 7 hours
Habitat: Rain forest
After breakfast, you will 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.
- Machame Camp to Shira cave Camp
- Altitude:3000m to 3750m
- Distance: 5 kilometers
- Hiking time: 4 to 6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
From the Shira Plateau, you will continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, your direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower (4600m), called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, you will enjoy your lunch and break for acclimatization.
You will continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3940m. Here you will rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the almost same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
- Shira cave Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Altitude: 3750m to 3940m
- Distance: 10 kilometers
- Hiking time: 6 to 8 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
After breakfast, you will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley last water point before arrive at campsite. Then you will stay for few minutes at Karanga camp for acclimatization and enjoying your hot lunch before leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. You will continue up to the Barafu Hut. Climb Kilimanjaro
At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here you can 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. 6 Days Machame route
- Altitude : 3940m to 4600m
- Distance: 9 kilometers
- Hiking time: 7 to 10 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert 6
You will wake up around 11:00pm, for some tea and snacks,dress up warm for the summit. You will start your summit around 12:00am starting with steep rocks for about two to three hours, and then you will start crossing the zigzag area and keep moving to the crater rim and finally Stella point, 5756 meters around 06:00am. 6 days machame route
At Stella Point (5756m), 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 the way on your one-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak (5895m), you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, you will now make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for brunch. 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. Later in the evening, you will enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
- Altitude :4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m)
- Distance: 5 kilometers ascent and 12 kilometers descent
- Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours ascent and 4 to 6 hours descent
- Habitat: Arctic Trekking Kilimanjaro machame route
After breakfast, you will 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). From the gate you will sign out in Kilimanjaro national park log book and your guide will collect your certificate for those who reached the summit and let you enjoy your lunch before get to our minibus and drive to your hotel in Moshi for hot shower and beer
- Altitude : 3100m to 1640m
- Distance: 10 kilometers
- Hiking time: 3 to 5 hours
- Habitat: Rain forest
