Tour Overview:

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.

DAY 1

Machame Gate to Machame Camp

•Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
•Distance: 11 km
•Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest

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.

We now 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. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

 

DAY 2

Machame Camp to Shira Camp

•Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
•Distance: 5 km
•Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
•Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, we 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.

 

DAY 3

Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

•Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
•Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

 

DAY 4

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

•Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
•Distance: 9km
•Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we 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.

 

DAY 5

Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

•Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
•Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
•Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), 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 they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, 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, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. 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, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

 

DAY 6

Mweka Camp to Moshi

•Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we 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 continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.

 

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE PACKAGE

  • Portable toilet tent
  • 2 Night Hotel accommodation in Moshi, a day before trek and a day after trek
  • Transportation to and from your selected route
  • Transfer from Airport/Bus station in Moshi on arrival and return to airport/Bus station after climb.
  • Quality, Waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tent
  • Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
  • Certified, experienced, English speaking mountain guides:
  • All Tanzanian National Park Fees
  • Government Climbing Taxes
  • Climbing permits
  • All hot Meals prepared by our cook while on Mountain
  • Guides, Porters and Cook Salaries
  • Fair and ethical treatment of Porters
  • Enough porters to carry your luggage
  • Safety Equipment:
  • Emergency Oxygen
  • Pulse Ox meter
  • Hot drinks at every meal
  • Water provided on climb, mineral water for the first day and boiled water every day
  • Emergency rescue fees
  • Personal Summit Certificate signed by the National Park and your Guide

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

– Personal items and toiletries

– Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain

Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (not per climber):

  • Guides: $20/day/guide
  • Cook: $15/day
  • Porter: $10/day/porter
  • N/B: Our Guides, cooks and Porters are always satisfied with your thanks giving (tip) you have and not beyond your ability.
  • International airfares and departure taxes
  • All items of person nature such as telephone call, fax, email etc
  • Alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
  • Laundry services
  • Visa and International flight tickets fees.
Budget Camping safari
Group Size Price per person per day
1 person USD 285/person
2- 4 person USD 265/person
5- 7 people USD 245/person
8 -10 people USD 220/person
11+ people USD 205/person
Luxury tented Camps & Lodge safari
Group Size Price per person per day
1 person USD 475/person
2- 4 person USD 465/person
5- 7 people USD 425/person
8 -10 people USD 415person
11+ people USD 405/person

The journey from the national park gate at 1,900 meters to the Uhuru Peak is like traveling from the equator to Antarctica in a matter of days. You will cross different ecological zones, each subject to a corresponding decrease in rainfall, temperature and life as the altitude increases. There are different routes to the peak. The most famous ones are Marangu, Machame and Rongai. Depending on the route, it will take you at minimum 3 days to reach the peak and another two back down again.

It is a great once in a lifetime journey. You will have your personal guide and a number of porters to help you carry the equipment and food. Our excellent cooks will prepare your fresh and varying meals along the way. At Marangu route you will spend the nights in solid huts. For all other routes we will provide modern tents.

We will not fool you. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a tough undertaking. Throughout the climb, temperatures vary considerably with the altitude and time of day. It’s an unforgettable adventure with rain, sun, snow, ice and winds. If you are not used to high altitudes you should take it slow and plan an extra days or do a Mount Meru climb before the trip to Mount Kilimanjaro.

The journey from the national park gate at 1,900 meters to the Uhuru Peak is like traveling from the equator to Antarctica in a matter of days. You will cross different ecological zones, each subject to a corresponding decrease in rainfall, temperature and life as the altitude increases. There are different routes to the peak. The most famous ones are Marangu, Machame and Rongai. Depending on the route, it will take you at minimum 3 days to reach the peak and another two back down again.

It is a great once in a lifetime journey. You will have your personal guide and a number of porters to help you carry the equipment and food. Our excellent cooks will prepare your fresh and varying meals along the way. At Marangu route you will spend the nights in solid huts. For all other routes we will provide modern tents.

We will not fool you. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a tough undertaking. Throughout the climb, temperatures vary considerably with the altitude and time of day. It’s an unforgettable adventure with rain, sun, snow, ice and winds. If you are not used to high altitudes you should take it slow and plan an extra days or do a Mount Meru climb before the trip to Mount Kilimanjaro.

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