6 Days Kilimanjaro Machame Route
Description
Machame route is the second most popular and one of the most scenic routes on the mountain. All climbers sleep in tents (tents are included) and Healthy meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside.
It is done over 6 days, so acclimatization is easier, and the success rate is fairly high. It is for physically fit people with some hiking experience. Descent is down the Mweka trail staying at the Mweka or Millenium camp the final night on.
Our Kilimanjaro Trekking Tours offers most luxury trekking to Kilimanjaro, this is trekking tours are suitable for all Travelers. We guarantee you to have Healthily Food.
You’re Arrival in Tanzania;
you are welcome to the Peace land of Tanzania, upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport; our driver will pick you and transfer to Arusha for overnight and final preparation of your Kili trek.
A mountain guide will come to your hotel for gear inspection, if he will find you don’t have sufficient equipment, we will take you to a rental shop for choosing some of gears.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Hike to Machame Camp
Drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 45 minutes but driving from Arusha it will take almost 2 hours. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations 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.
Elevation: 2835m
Distance: 11km/7mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland.
Meals: B, L, D
Budget Camping: Machame Camp
Day 2: Hike Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira Cave campsite.
Elevation: 3750m
Distance: 5km/3mi
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: B, L, D
Budget Lodging: Shira Camp
Day 3: Hike Shira Cave Camp to Lava Tower then Barranco Camp
From the Shirer 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” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body to prepare for the day that you will be summiting.
Elevation: 3900m
Distance: 10km/6mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: B, L, D
Budget Lodging: Barranco Camp
Day 4: Hike Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Aberrance Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.Then you will have lunch at Karanga there after you continue to Barafu to overnight and having preparations for your kili trek to night.
Elevation: 4673 amsl
Distance: 6 km/3mi
Hiking Time: 34 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: B, L, D
Budget Lodging: Barafu camp
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), 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 you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit-Kilimanjaro Machame Route 6-Days.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro a Roof of Africa and the continent of Africa as well.
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Elevation: 3100 m
Distance: 8 km
Descending time: 2 to 3 hours.
Habitat: Moorland Zone
Meals: B, L, D
Budget Campsite: Mweka Camp
Day 6: Decend Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Arusha
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, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters.
Elevation: 1640m
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: BAt Kijiji village.
✅ Includes
- All Park Fees, including the 18% VAT
- Airport transfers
- Transport to and from the hotel and the trailhead/gate,
- Tents on the mountain.
- All meals while you are on the mountain (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
- Salaries for guides, cooks and porters
- Oxygen
- Portable Chemical Toilet
- Hotel accommodation in Arusha the night before and the night after the climb (Bed and breakfast)
❌ Excludes
- Airfare to Tanzania
- Tips for guides, porters and other staff
- Sleeping bags, sleeping pads and other personal gears
- Lunch or dinners at the hotel in Arusha
- Soft drinks, beer and items of a personal nature
- Laundry
- Visas
- Travel Insurance and Medical Insurance
Information:
- Duration: 6 Days /5 Night
- Difficulty: Medium
- Scenery: Good
- Traffic: High
- Group Size: Any