MACHAME 7 DAYS

WHY THIS ITINERARY?

Many people list Kilimanjaro as a lifelong dream adventure. This itinerary allows you the time to see all of Kilimanjaro's main areas and with a 7 day ascent it also allows you a great chance of successfully making it to the roof of Africa! A great route.

  • Camp (2835m)
    Distance: 11Km
    Elevation Gain: 1035m
    Walking Time: 5 hours

    After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro. At the gate your crew finalize packing and after finishing with formalities you start of from Machame gate(Alt 1,800m,5,906ft) Today's hiking is through verdant afromontane forest to Machame camp(Alt 3,000m,9,843ft) and on route you have a picnic lunch. Look out for pretty endemic flora and a graduation of forest zones!

    Overnight Machame Camp.

  • Distance: 5Km
    Elevation Gain: 1188m
    Walking Time: 5-6 hours

    From Machame camp you hike to Shira Camp(Alt3,850m,12,631ft) The first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly. A picnic lunch is taken on trail today. The zone you pass through today is known as the heath zone where attractive helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys.

    Overnight Shira Camp.

  • Distance: Km
    Elevation Gain: 850m (-700m)
    Walking Time: 6 hours

    Today is a walk high sleep low day. You ascend into alpine desert and for those that are feeling strong you can even head up to Lava Tower(Alt 4,600m,15,092ft) before descending to Barranco camp(Alt 3,910m,12,828ft). Lunch is taken as a picnic lunch on route. This is long day but note that the next time you head to this altitude is in two days time - great acclimatization day!

    Overnight Barranco Camp.

  • Distance: 5 Km
    Elevation Gain: 95 m
    Walking Time: 4 hours

    From Barranco camp, famous for its' giant groundsels (Senecio species), you ascend the Barranco wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga camp(Alt 4,100m,13,451ft). Today is a relatively short day hiking and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. In the afternoon a walk can be taken with your guides for great views of the southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys.

    Overnight Karanga Camp.


  • Distance: 4Km
    Elevation Gain: 768m
    Walking Time: 4 hours

    Today is another half day ascending to Barafu camp(Alt 4,600m,15,092ft) Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate apline desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the evening.

    Overnight Barafu Camp.

  • Distance: 10Km
    Elevation Gain: 1132m (- 3714m)
    Walking Time: 10hours

    Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit(Uhuru peak 5,895m,19341ft) and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point(Alt 5,750m,18,865ft) affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru peak, the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down and your goal today is to reach Mweka camp before dusk.

    Overnight Mweka Camp(Alt 3,100m,10,171ft .

  • Distance: 10Km
    Elevation Gain: (- 1460m)
    Walking Time: 4 hours

    After breakfast you descend once again through Afro montane forest and around mid day, after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well deserved shower!