Machame Route 6 Days

Overview

For those who only have six days to climb Kilimanjaro, the Machame route is the best choice because of its acclimatization profile. Compared to other six day routes, the Machame route exposes the climber to higher elevations quicker (day three) which kick-starts the body’s adaptation to altitude. However, this route requires that a person is in good shape to be able to tackle the challenging elevation gains and losses.
The six-day Machame variation is a difficult route. In particular, day four combined with day five makes for a very hard schedule. Day four is a full day of hiking from Barranco to Barafu. Then after dinner and a partial night’s sleep, the very long and strenuous summit day begins around midnight. The 6 day Machame route requires 19-24 hours of demanding walking, at extremely high elevation, with only 4-6 hours of sleep.

Included

Private pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro international airport.
Pre & Post Trek accommodation
Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees 18% VAT on tour fees & services 4 Season big sleeping mountain tents Double layered Sleeping Mats
Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
Transportation to & from the mountain gate
3 meals daily while on the mountain
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
Filtered water throughout the trek

Exclude

Flights
Items of a personal nature
Tips to mountain crew
Laundry Services
Insurance

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Machame Gate to Machame Camp

You will be driven from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, passing through the village of Machame, located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave park gate behind, our walk starts through the rain forest on a winding trail up the ridge. At some sections the trail can be muddy and slippery, so the gaiters and trekking poles are a good to bring.

Distance: 11 km Hiking
Time: 5 - 7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 2 Machame Camp to Shira Camp

The second day continues through increasingly sparse trees and bushes into moorlands. The day finishes with Shira Camp, which is on a small plateau in the high moorlands, and features views of Kibo in the northeast and Mount Meru towards the west. White necked ravens can be seen throughout the day. There is also a set of small caves a short walk from the campsite known as the Shira Caves.

Distance: 5 km Hiking
Time: 4 - 6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 3 Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Today’s route turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower. Lunch will be served in a designated area before ascending the rocky path to Lava Tower. After lunch you descent again to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, you will feel actual benefit of acclimatization. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall.

Distance: 10 km Hiking
Time: 6 - 8 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 4 Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu camp

After breakfast, we take short scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley, beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. After a short and well deserved break we leave Karanga and cross the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail, used for descend from the mountain later. From here we continue up to the Barafu Camp. Here we will rest, have dinner and prepare for the summit day. From Barafu you can enjoy the view of two volcanic cones Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, and that view is quite spectacular and you should not miss it.

Distance: 9 km Hiking
Time: 8 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 5 Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. The last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. At the rim we will reach Stella point, from where we have further hour to Uhuru Peak. After a short stop for taking photos we descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on past Millenium camp down to Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the forest edge. Those with the strength left from the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the ice pinnacles of the Eastern Ice-fields. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 6 Mweka Camp to Moshi/Arusha

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

Distance: 10 km Hiking
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Included.

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