Kilimanjaro Climbing Tours via Machame route

Day 1 | Arrival

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet an Tanzania elsewhere representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our guides, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.

Day 2 | Trekking From Machame Gate 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). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your raincoats.

ELEVATION

1,800 m to 3,010 m

HIKING TIME

5-6 hours

DISTANCE

5 km

HABITAT

Rainforest

Day 3 | Trekking From Machame Camp To Shira Camp

After breakfast you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp (3,750 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.

Note: You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3,750 m) — Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,120 m)

Hiking distance: 2 km

Hiking time: 1–2 hours

ELEVATION

3,010 m to 3,750 m

HIKING TIME

4-5 hours

DISTANCE

5 km

HABITAT

Moorland

Day 4 | Trekking From Shira Camp To The Lava Tower and Descent To Barranco Camp

After breakfast you will leave Shira Camp (3,750 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.

ELEVATION

3,750 m to 4,630 m

HIKING TIME

6-8 hours

DISTANCE

11 km

HABITAT

Moorland

Day 5 | 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.

ELEVATION

3,960 m to 4,640 m

HIKING TIME

8-10 hours

DISTANCE

11 km

HABITAT

Alpine desert

Day 6 | 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 conditions. 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: Please pay attention to your feet during ascend, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.

ELEVATION

4,640 m to 5,895 m

5,895 m to 3,820 m

HIKING TIME

8-12 hours

DISTANCE

15 km

HABITAT

Arctic

Day 7 | Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

The camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.

ELEVATION

3,820 m to 1,640 m

HIKING TIME

4-5 hours

DISTANCE

12 km

HABITAT

Rainforest

Day 8 | Departure

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.

Note: Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee