Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Hiking Machame Route – 8 Days

Upon arrival you will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport {KIA} and head straight to Moshi Town which acts like the base of Kilimanjaro trekking.The drive from the Airport to Moshi normally takes 1.5hrs. On arrival check in Ossy Grand Hotel for dinner and overnight.

After the breakfast drive to Machame Park Gate, this normally takes 40min to get to the Machame Gate. On arrival you go through the registration with the park authority as we weigh the bags and food, this process normally takes like at least 45min depending with the number of people. The Kilimanjaro trek in this World Heritage Site begins at the end of the tarmac road, walking for about 6 hrs, gradually ascending through the cloud forests of Kilimanjaro and onto giant heather forested hills at Machame Camp (2850 m).

Trekkers ascend an enjoyable ridge, traverse along a stream gorge and finally emerge on the Shira plateau volcanic moorland (3810 m). Total trekking time is approximately 6 hrs.

Trekkers follow the trail to Lava Tower (>4600 m), have lunch prior to spending an hour at Lava Towers, and then descend into the scenic Barranco gorge. Continue to Barranco Camp at 3975 m. Total trekking time is approximately 6 hrs.

Trekkers cross the Barranco Valley, ascend the well known and fascinating Barranco wall (not technical climbing), then follow the Kibo South Circuit. Descend and ascend again for about 2 additional hours to arrive at Karanga Camp (4000 m) for lunch and overnight. Total trekking time is approximately 5 hrs.

Another half day trek takes you across some splendid volcanic lands, with Kibo Volcano (highest of the Kilimanjaro volcanoes) and its remaining glaciers as the backdrop. Enjoy the final ascent to Barafu Camp (4673 m). Total trekking time between camps is approximately 5 hrs. After lunch and a couple of hours of rest, you begin a short trek up to Kibo Camp for further acclimatization, and then descend for dinner. Sleep until 11:00 p.m and then begin all night ascent. The summit is attainable since you should be properly acclimatized by now.

Trekkers move “pole pole” (Swahili for “slowly”) to the north-west, with mountain guides at their side, up a defined trail toward Stella Point on the crater rim. Summit day is scheduled to coincide with a waxing moon, which will be nearly full. This 6-hour trek to Stella Point (5756 m) is the most mentally and physically challenging on the route. Temperature is usually -10° Celsius, and winds can make it even more challenging. At Stella Point, the group re-nourishes, enjoys the famous Kilimanjaro sunrise, and then continues for another hour to the true summit of Africa, Uhuru Peak. Photos and celebrations ensue.

A slow descent back to Stella Point, followed by a quicker descent on scree slope trails back to Barafu Camp for a well deserved rest and brunch. Break camp and hike down to Lower Mweka Camp by mid-afternoon. This is the day you appreciate your trekking poles and honor your guides and porters – you descend over 2800 meters from Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp. If weather thwarts your summit bid, an extra day has been allowed if the group decides delay is advisable.

This is the last day of the trek. The 3 hours descent to Mweka Gate is very enjoyable, provides good views of yesterday’s accomplishment, and provides excellent photo opportunity of Mount Kilimanjaro’s unique vegetation of the cloud forest. Check-out at Mweka trail head, and then shuttle to a welcoming Arusha Tourist Hotel in Arusha.