Welcome to an exhilarating adventure on the iconic Machame Route of Mount Kilimanjaro! Over the course of 8 days, you'll embark on a thrilling journey to the Roof of Africa, navigating through diverse landscapes, ascending through various climate zones, and ultimately conquering the summit of Africa's highest peak. Here's a detailed overview of your upcoming expedition:
Day Activity
Day 1: Arrival in Moshi or Arusha
Upon your arrival in Arusha or Moshi, Tanzania, our team will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. You'll have a briefing with your guide to go over the details of the trek and ensure you're well-prepared for the adventure ahead. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and acclimatizing to the altitude.
Day 2: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
After breakfast, we'll drive to the Machame Gate, where our trek officially begins. The trail winds through lush rainforest, offering glimpses of Kilimanjaro's towering peak through the canopy. We'll hike for approximately 5-7 hours to reach Machame Camp, our first overnight stop. Enjoy a hearty dinner and rest up for the challenges ahead.
Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Leaving the rainforest behind, we ascend into the heath and moorland zone. The trail steepens as we climb towards the Shira Plateau, where expansive views of the surrounding landscape await. After 4-6 hours of hiking, we arrive at Shira Camp, where we'll set up camp for the night and enjoy dinner under the starlit sky.
Day 4: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
Today's trek takes us across the Shira Plateau towards the Lava Tower, a volcanic rock formation at 4,600 meters (15,092 feet) above sea level. This is a crucial acclimatization day as we gain altitude before descending to Barranco Camp at 3,950 meters (12,960 feet). The hike takes approximately 6-7 hours, and we'll overnight at Barranco Camp.
Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Our route takes us up the Barranco Wall, a challenging but exhilarating climb that rewards us with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. After conquering the wall, we traverse the Karanga Valley before ascending to Karanga Camp, our home for the night. Today's hike takes about 4-5 hours, allowing for ample time to rest and acclimatize.
Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
As we near the summit, the landscape becomes more barren and Rocky. We ascend steadily towards Barafu Camp, located at 4,600 meters (15,092 feet) above sea level. This is our base camp for the summit attempt, and we'll spend the afternoon resting and preparing for the final push to the top. Tonight, we'll have an early dinner before retiring to our tents for some rest.
Day 7: Summit Day – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
In the early hours of the morning, we begin our summit ascent under the cover of darkness. The trail is steep and challenging, but with determination and perseverance, we'll reach Stella Point on the crater rim as the sun begins to rise. From here, it's a final push to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet). After celebrating our achievement and soaking in the breathtaking views, we begin our descent back to Barafu Camp. After a short rest, we continue down to Mweka Camp for our final night on the mountain. Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate – Departure Our final day on the mountain involves a descent through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we'll complete our trek. After saying goodbye to our mountain crew and receiving your summit certificates, we'll transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi for a well-deserved shower and celebratory dinner. Reflect on your incredible journey up Kilimanjaro and cherish the memories you've made along the way.
Included:
- Trekking tour according to the itinerary
- Accommodation in tents and hotels as indicated in the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Personal porter
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Accommodation in tents and hotels as indicated in the itinerary
- Transfers as indicated in the itinerary
- Camping equipment – tents, sleeping mattress and camping furniture
- National Park fees
- Rescue fees
Excluded:
- Flights (international and domestic)
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Beverages other than water (alcohol and soft drinks)
- Visa, tips, personal expenses, travel insurance
- Sleeping bag (can be rented, please ask us at the time of the booking