Mount Kilimanjaro Climb – Machame Route

Overview

Embark on an exhilarating 7-day Kilimanjaro climb with this detailed itinerary. On Day 1, arrive at JRO or Arusha and transfer to the Palace Hotel for an overnight stay, including a briefing with your mountain guide. On Day 2, transfer to the Machame Gate and begin your ascent through the rainforest to Machame Hut (3,000m) for dinner and camping. Day 3 involves a steep climb followed by a descent into a gorge and a more gradual ascent onto the Shira Plateau. On Day 4, traverse high-altitude desert and glacial valleys to the base of the Barranco Wall, then climb the wall and continue to Karanga Valley (4,100m) for dinner and camping. Day 5 is a slower climb through valleys to Barafu Hut (4,600m) for full-board camping. On Day 6, start your ascent shortly after midnight, reaching Stella Point (5,755m) for sunrise, then continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895m). Descend to Barafu for lunch, and then to Mweka Hut (3,000m) for dinner and overnight. On Day 7, complete your descent to Mweka Gate around noon, enjoy a picnic lunch, and transfer to Arusha or Moshi. In the evening, head to the airport for your flight home or prepare for the next stage of your safari.

Day by Day Plan

Day 1

Arrive JRO or Arusha, transfer to Palace Hotel for overnight. Bed/breakfast. Meet your mountain guide for briefing.

Day 2

Transfer to Machame gate to start the climb. Climb through rain forest for 5 – 6 hours with picnic lunch to Machame Hut 3,000m for dinner and overnight camping.

Day 3

Rise early and climb a steep ridge for 3 – 4 hours. The path then drops Into a river gorge before climbing more gently for another 3 – 4 hours onto The moorland of the Shira Plateau.

Day 4

There is a 5 – 6 hours walk through high altitude desert and glacial valleys To the base of the Barranco wall. After picnic lunch continue up the wall and then through more more valleys for about 3 hours to Karanga Valley. Dinner and overnight camping at Karanga Valley 4,100m.

Day 5

This is a slow day. Climb through valleys for about 4 hours to Barafu hut 4,600m fullboard camping.

Day 6

Rise shortly after midnight and climb for about 6 – 7 hours to Stella Point 5,755m on the crater rim and watch dawn break over a hot cup of tea. Continue round the rim for another 1 – 2 hours to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m. Descend to Barafu for lunch, then descend further to Mweka hut 3,000m for dinner and overnight camping.

Day 7

Descend to Mweka gate arriving around noon with picnic lunch. Transfer to Arusha or Moshi with use of day room. Evening transfer to the airport for flight home or wait to start a safari as the case may be.

Includes and Excludes