7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing - Machame Route

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Airport pick up and transfer to Arusha

Our guide will pick you up at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport and take you to our office in Arusha. As local Tanzanians, our guides know well the country and Arusha city, so you’ll be in good hands from when you arrive to the moment you leave.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Karibu Heritage House

• Budget hotel located in Arusha (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Trekking from Machame Gates to Machame Camp

A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). so we recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your raincoats.
This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
– Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
– Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
– Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Trekking from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

After breakfast you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp (3,845 m). On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Physically speaking, the trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 300-meter gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp you will be served a hot dinner.
Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp:
Change in Elevation:
– Machame Camp (3,010 m)
– Shira Camp (3,845 m)
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation:
Shira Camp (3,845 m)
Hiking distance: 2 km
Hiking time: 1 to 2 hours.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Trekking from Shira Camp to the Lava Tower and Descent to Barranco Camp

After breakfast you will leave Shira Camp (3,845 m) and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1-2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be.
Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day you will be climbing it, but don’t worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.

Change in Elevation:
– Shira Camp (3,845 m)
– Lava Tower (4,630 m)
– Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 6 to 8 hours.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Trekking from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of summiting Barranco Wall (we recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups). Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.
Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don’t worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours you will have to complete ascend to Barafu Camp (4,640 m) where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.
Change in Elevation:
– Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
– Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 8 to 10 hours.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Millennium Camp

Departure from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) at night and the start of summiting Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Technically, the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude. Each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your physical and mental condition. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and, after a 2-hour rest, continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).
Note: Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.

Change in Elevation:
– Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
– Uhuru Peak (5,895 m)
– Millennium Camp (3,820 m)
Hiking distance: 15 km
Hiking time: 8 to 12 hours.

Main Destination:

Mt Kilimanjaro Summit

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

The camp is located in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel a sense of relief from your reduced elevation as well as satisfaction from successfully reaching the summit. After enjoying a warm breakfast, you will make your way to the park's exit at Mweka Gate (1,650 m). Once you've completed your descent, the entire group will come together to congratulate you. You’ll also have the opportunity to share your thoughts about the climb in the guestbook. Lunch will be served in the afternoon. Finally, at the gate, we will present you with your commemorative certificate and arrange for your transfer back to the hotel or the airport for departure.

Change in Elevation:
– Millennium Camp (3,820 m)
– Mweka Gate (1,650 m)
Hiking distance: 12 km
Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.