Machame 7-day Route
Mt. Kilimanjaro Trek
August 15
Arrive into Tanzania
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (flight details TBA) after the visa check, collect your bags
pass the security and thereafter walk towards the lobby, you will meet our driver guide with a signboard
and your name, then transferred to Arusha arriving at Ilboru Safari lodge for overnight
August 16
Day 1 of the trek
08:30a.m you will be met by the Mt. Guides thereafter proceed to Machame Gate. The climb starts
from Machame Gate (1,800 m.) after a short walk through the attractive banana and coffee farms
of Machame village. The path follows a ridge through dense mountain forest. This is the richest
forested area on the mountain, and also the zone from where 96 % of the water on Kilimanjaro
originates. On sunny days, and especially in the dry season, this section is very lush and
beautiful; it can also be a very muddy experience, particularly if it has rained recently! We have
lunch at 'Halfway Clearing', a small opening in the trees, and continue climbing steadily. The
gradient becomes gentler as the forest slowly merges into giant heather close to the next camp
near the ruins of Machame Hut (3,000 m.). We may get our first closer look at the glacial dome
of Kibo if the evening clouds permit.
[6-8 hours walking]
August 17
Day 2 of the trek
A shorter day that begins by climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known
as Picnic Rock, there are excellent views of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau from here,
and it is a good rest point too! The trail continues less steeply to reach the Shira Plateau. We
camp near Shira Cave Camp (3,720 m.) which has some of the most stunning views on
Kilimanjaro; close to the huge volcanic cone of Kibo, the spectacular rock formations of Shira
Plateau, and looking across to Mt. Meru floating on the clouds. [4-6 hours walking]
August 18
Day 3 of the trek
A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk
on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower
junction (4,500 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,900 m.), sheltered
by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. Barranco Camp
[5-7 hours walking]
August 21
Day 6 of the trek
We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by
sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zigzag and a slow but
steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m.), in about five or six hours. We will rest there
for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make
the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to
the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to
Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final
campsite (3,800 m.) at the edge of Mweka Forest. Mweka Camp
[11- 15 hours walking]
August 20
Day 5 of the trek
After breakfast, the terrain changes to scree and we climb steeply to reach the Barafu Camp
(4,667 m.) short rest and thereafter we proceed to Kosovo Camp (4850m), arriving for lunch by
mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent
before a very early night.
[6-8 hours walking]
August 19
Day 4 of the trek
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the southeastern flank of
Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Ice fields. Lunch is usually taken at Karanga, the last
water point, in a steep valley. Dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp
[3 - 5 hours walking]
August 22
Day 7 of the trek
The day spent descending through open moor-lands and the glades of forest and straight down
through the rain forest down to the Park Gate. A sustained descent through lovely forest with lush
undergrowth takes us to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m.) [4-6hours walking] transfer
to Arusha onto Ilboru Safari lodge on bed & breakfast basis