Machame route: Kilimanjaro climbing 7 days

ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Machame Park Gate to Machame Camp

Total Distance - 11km/7mi || Expected hiking time – 5 to 7hr || Elevation gain – from 1800m/5400ft to 3010m/9400ft || Landscape – Rainforest

8:30am - Pickup from hotel and transport to the Kilimanjaro National Park, Machame gate through Machame village.
10:00am - Arrive at Machame gate: lunch at the picnic area (or you can pack your lunchbox in your day pack to eat later along the route), while your guide processes the National Park entry.
11:30am - Begin your hike to Machame camp through foothill rainforest. Lower down, the trail can be muddy, so gaiters and poles are recommended here.
6:30pm – Arrive at Machame camp, dinner, health check, briefing for day 2, and rest. Evening temperature can already drop segnificantly at this elevation at night, so dress accordingly before going to sleep or have warm clothes ready in your sleeping bag.

DAY 2 – Machame Camp to Shira 1 Camp

Total Distance - 5km/3mi || Expected hiking time - 4 to 6 hrs || Elevation – from 3010m/9400ft to 3850m/12,000ft || Landscape – rainforest and moorland

8:00am – breakfast and preparation.
9:00am – Start hiking to the top of the rainforest zones and continuing into the moorland.
12:00pm – Lunchbox lunch and break
3:00pm – Arrive at Shira 1 camp. Rest, prepare for day 3. Enjoy the views of the glaciers.
5:30pm – dinner, health check, briefing for day 3, and rest. Prepare for possibly freezing temperature after sundown.

DAY 3 – Shira 1 camp to Barranco camp

Total Distance - 10km/6.5mi || Expected hiking time – 6 to 8 hrs || Elevation – from 3850m/12,000ft to 3960m/13,000ft || Landscape - semi-desert and rocky trails

8:00am – breakfast and preparation.
9:00am – Start hiking through semi-desert landscape, stopping for a lunchbox lunch along the way.
4:00pm – Arrive at Barranco camp with views of the western breach. Rest, prepare for day 4.
5:30pm – dinner, health check, briefing for day 4, and rest. Prepare for possibly freezing temperature after sundown. On a clear night, you can enjoy a stunning sunset and amazing views of the town of Moshi below.

DAY 4 – Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Total Distance - 5km/3mi || Expected hiking time – 4 to 5 hrs || Elevation – from 3960m/13,000ft to 3995m/13,100ft || Landscape – Alpine desert

8:00am – breakfast and preparation.
9:00am – Start your hike climbing up the famous Barranco wall. At the top, you will be standing above the clouds with great photo opportunities on a clear day. Continue through sloping trails along semi-desert terrain, crossing several streams along the way.
2pm – Arrive at Karanga valley camp site. This is a short day to allow plenty of rest in preparation for the summit attempt.
5pm - dinner, health check, briefing for day 5, and rest. Try to eat as much as you can to be well nourished.

DAY 5 – Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Total Distance - 4km/2.5mi || Expected hiking time – 4 to 5 hrs || Elevation – from 3995m/13,100ft to 4640m/15,300ft || Landscape – Alpine desert

8:00am – breakfast and preparation.
9:00am – Start your hike to base camp.
2:00pm – Arrive at Barafu camp situated on a steep, rocky slope. Familiarize yourself with the camp prior to sunset to avoid accidents. A pee-bottle is highly recommended for the night, as the temperature is likely to drop well below freezing after sundown and you may not want to leave the comfort of your tent. Prepare your summit gear early for your summit attempt at midnight. Replace batteries in your headlamp.
5:00pm – dinner, health check, briefing for your summit night and day 6, and early to bed. Eat as much as you can in preparation for your summit attempt.

DAY 6 – Barafu to Uhuru Peak and decent to Mweka camp

Total Distance - 17km/10.5mi (5km accent, 12 km descent) || Expected hiking time – 12-15hrs (7-8hrs accent and 4-6hrs descent) || Elevation – from 4640m/15,300ft to 5890m/19,341ft (summit) to 3090m/9,500ft || Landscape – scree, glaciers, and return to forest trail

11:30pm – light breakfast
12:00am – Start your summit attempt climbing a steep, winding path of rocks and scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. For many, this ascent is the most physically and mentally challenging part of the hike. Take plenty of short breaks to catch your breath, if necessary. Keep your camel pack from freezing by taking frequent, small sips and blowing air back into your hose.
6:00am – reach Stella point (18,600ft) at sunrise with a short break to rest and enjoy the view.
8:00am – reach Uhuru peak. Time spent here will depend on weather conditions and any possible altitude symptoms you are experiencing. Don't stop for too long as it will be difficult to start back again due to cold and fatigue. The return trip to Barafu camp will take about 2-3hrs along a steep scree wall. Gaters and hiking poles highly recommended!
11:30am – quick stop to pack the rest of your gear and rest at Barafu camp.
12:00pm – Start your decent to Mweka camp.
5:00pm – dinner, health check, briefing for day 7, and rest.

DAY 7 – Mweka camp to gate and return to your hotel.

Total Distance - 10km/6.5mi || Expected hiking time – 3 to 5 hrs || Elevation – from 3090m/9,500ft to 1680m/5,400ft || Landscape – rain forest trail

8:00am – breakfast and preparation.
9:00am – Start hiking along a packed muddy trail. During rain, this trail can be extremely wet and slippery. Hiking poles are highly recommended.
2:00pm – Arrive at Mweka gate. You may have an opportunity to have your boots cleaned for just a few dollars, while your guide processes your exit and summit certificate.
3:00pm – drive back to your hotel
4:00pm – Drop-off at your hotel.
*Actual times may vary based on traffic, your walking pace, and weather conditions and they may be adjusted based on seasons. Your guide may choose a different route based on conditions or adjust the schedule based on any altitude symptoms you are experiencing.