6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route
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Overview
The Machame Route, a scenic and challenging path to Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit, is known for its diverse landscapes and high success rate. This 6-day itinerary is a faster, more demanding version of the typical 7-day climb, requiring strong fitness and less acclimatization time. Below is the detailed itinerary with titled days and descriptions.
Tour Plan
Day 1: Rainforest Ascent to Machame Camp
The journey begins at Machame Gate, located at 1,800 meters. After completing registration, the trek starts through the lush montane rainforest, covering 11 kilometers to Machame Camp at 3,000 meters. The trail, which takes 5 to 7 hours, is often muddy and slippery, demanding careful footing. Upon reaching Machame Camp, the crew sets up tents, and climbers enjoy dinner before settling in for the night.
Day 2: Moorland Traverse to Shira Cave Camp
From Machame Camp, the climb continues to Shira Cave Camp at 3,750 meters, a 5-kilometer trek that takes 4 to 6 hours. The trail ascends steeply through heath and moorland, offering breathtaking views of the Shira Plateau. The landscape transitions from dense forest to open, rocky terrain. Climbers arrive at Shira Cave Camp by mid-afternoon, where they rest, dine, and spend the night under a vast, starry sky.
Day 3: Alpine Ascent and Descent to Barranco Camp
This day covers 10 kilometers from Shira Cave Camp to Barranco Camp at 3,950 meters, taking 6 to 8 hours. The route crosses the alpine desert, climbing to the Lava Tower at 4,600 meters for acclimatization before descending to Barranco Camp. This “climb high, sleep low” strategy helps with altitude adaptation. The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at Barranco Camp, set beneath the striking Barranco Wall.
Day 4: Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp
The trek from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp at 4,000 meters spans 5 kilometers and takes 4 to 5 hours. The day starts with a thrilling scramble up the Barranco Wall, followed by a traverse through ridges and valleys. The trail offers stunning views of Kilimanjaro’s southern glaciers. Upon reaching Karanga Camp, climbers have time to rest, eat dinner, and prepare for the next day’s push toward the summit.
Day 5: Summit Push to Barafu Camp
From Karanga Camp, climbers trek 4 kilometers to Barafu Camp at 4,670 meters, a 3- to 4-hour journey through barren alpine desert. Barafu Camp serves as the base for the summit attempt. After arriving, climbers eat an early dinner, rest briefly, and prepare for the midnight start to the summit. The focus is on conserving energy for the challenging ascent to Uhuru Peak.
Day 6: Summit and Descent to Mweka Camp
The summit attempt begins around midnight from Barafu Camp. Climbers ascend 5 kilometers to Stella Point at 5,739 meters, then continue to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters, the highest point in Africa. The ascent takes 6 to 8 hours, navigating steep scree and cold conditions. After celebrating at the summit, the descent begins, dropping 22 kilometers to Mweka Camp at 3,100 meters via Barafu Camp. The descent takes 7 to 10 hours, passing through alpine desert, moorland, and rainforest. Climbers spend their final night at Mweka Camp, exhausted but triumphant.
Price Included
- Transport form arrival point to Moshi
- Transport form Moshi to Departure point
- Accommodation before climb
- Accommodation after climb
- All accommodation in huts on the mountain
- Park fees on Kilimanjaro
- Rescue fees on mountain (by car)
- 3 meals daily on the mountain
- Sleeping and the dining huts
- Guide and porters
- Cook and waiters
- Firs aid kit
- Service of an English speaking mountain guide
- Transportation to the mountain
- All government taxes
Price Excluded
- Extras in the hotel
- Drinks rather than water
- Tips to mountain Crews
- Meals in Moshi
- Personal gears like sleeping bags, hiking poles, etc.
- Flights
- And all not listed above
