6 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour via Machame Route

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your lodge and taken to the Kilimanjaro entrance gate. While your guide handles the registration, you can prepare for the hike. Once everything is ready, your Kilimanjaro adventure begins. You will soon find yourself immersed in the breathtaking mountain rainforest, surrounded by ancient trees, ferns, lianas, and moss. Keep an eye out for the black and white colobus monkeys in the treetops. After 5 to 6 hours, you will reach Machame Camp, located just above the tree line. Enjoy dinner and spend the night in tents.
Altitude (m): 1,790m - 3,010m
Distance covered: 11km
Duration: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest

Today, we start early and tackle a steeper path as we enter heath and moorland. The open landscape provides stunning views of the mountain range. The hike is shorter than the previous day, and by mid-afternoon, we reach the Shira Cave Camp. This camp offers a breathtaking view of the mountain, especially during sunset when the evening sun illuminates the rock face and glacier of Kibo.
Altitude: 3,010m to 3,845m
Distance Covered: 5km
Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone

Today, we hike about 800m, but we camp at a slightly higher elevation to allow our bodies to acclimatize. Over the next two days, we will reach an altitude of over 4,500m.
The hike begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau towards the Lava Tower. We pass the junction towards Kibo Peak and continue southeast to the Lava Tower, also known as the "Shark's Tooth." After the tower, we reach the second junction leading to the Arrow Glacier at 16,000ft.
The landscape changes to an afro-alpine desert, with sparse vegetation. We traverse the Barranco Valley, adorned with lobelia and giant senecio plants. After 6 to 7 hours, we arrive at the picturesque Barranco Camp, one of the most beautiful camps on the mountain.
Altitude: 3,845m to 3,960m
Distance Covered: 10km
Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert

Today's hiking begins with the challenging hike of the Barranco Wall. We depart from Barranco Camp and follow a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall, until we reach the Karanga Valley campsite. Your experienced guides will assist you along the way to ensure your safety. As we traverse the ridge, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the south glacier of Kibo. After lunch in the Karanga Valley, we continue for 2 to 3 hours until we reach Barafu Camp. Here, we set up camp, enjoy dinner, and rest in preparation for the summit day.

We start our ascent from Kosovo Camp around midnight, heading towards the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. The hike to Stella Point on the crater rim is mentally and physically demanding. At Stella Point, we take a short rest and witness a spectacular sunrise, weather permitting. From Stella Point, it takes about an hour to reach the summit, Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After enjoying the summit experience, we descend directly to the Mweka campsite, stopping at Barafu Camp for lunch. Hiking poles and gaiters are recommended for the loose gravel on the descent. Mweka Camp is located in the upper forest, where mist or rain is common in the late afternoon. We savor our final dinner on the mountain and rest well for the night.

After a heartfelt farewell ceremony from the mountain crew, you begin your final descent on Day 6 of the Kilimanjaro hiking adventure. The 2 to 3-hour journey takes you through the lush rainforest, offering a gentle descent back to Mweka Gate. Your driver awaits you there, ready to transport you back to Moshi. Once you arrive, you can savor the feeling of accomplishment as you indulge in a warm shower. The rest of the day is yours to relax, whether lounging by the pool or simply unwinding. Remember to express your gratitude by tipping your dedicated guides and porters, who have been instrumental in making this journey a success. With this, the Kilimanjaro hike via the Machame Route concludes, leaving you with memories of a remarkable adventure and a sense of achievement that deserves celebration.
Altitude: 3,080m to 1,630m
Distance Covered: 9.3km downhill
Time Taken: 2 - 3 hours
Habitat: Rainforest