7 Days Machame Route Mount Kilimanjaro
Day by day
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Day 1
Arusha – Machame
At 7:30 a.m., you will start your 7 Days Machame Route Mount Kilimanjaro with a transfer to the Machame Park Gate (5,950 ft./ 1,815 mt.). After registering with the park authority, we'll begin our climb through the lush forest. Trekkers will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above, and many even see black & white colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys as they hike along the knotted roots and mud on the forest floor. We'll continue on to some heath land before reaching our overnight camp at Machame Camp (9,850 feet, 6-7 hours of walking), just above the forest zone. The trek is quite long, thus not steep.Dinner and Overnight at Machame camp.
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Day 2
Machame – Shira
Today's segment of the ascent will continue across beautiful heath land and alpine moorland with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Peak. We begin up the steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, and trees of Giant Heather and Erica. Scramble around large boulders as you enter the moorland zone, marked by lobelia and senecio plants, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards, which protect wild alpine flowers growing at their bases. We'll overnight at Shira Camp (12,600 feet, 5-6 hours of walking).Dinner and Overnight at Shira camp.
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Day 3
Shira – Barranco
Breakfast. You will draw nearer the peak as we get closer to the Lava Tower. The trek becomes a bit more strenuous as the trail steepens on the approach to the lava Tower, a 300 foot tall volcanic plug which marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet. In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a col (flat area) enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjari), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia.Then we slowly ascent to our overnight stop at Barranco Camp (12,950 feet, 5-6 hours of walking). This day and the following day will be your acclimatisation day.Dinner and Overnight at Barancco Camp.
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Day 4
Barranco – Barafu
Breakfast. The day will begin with a descent into the Gorge, before we climb its eastern wall where we will enjoy views of Kilimanjaro's ice fields, an equatorial anomaly. We will continue trekking until we reach our camp in Karanga Valley (13,900 feet, 4-5 hours of walking).Dinner and Overnight at Karanga valley camp.
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Day 5
Barranco – Barafu
Breakfast.You will trek up through the Karanga Valley, the trail turns steadily uphill, following the lava ridge to the Barafu camp. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting as a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight. Barafu camp (15,200 feet, 6-7 hours of walking).Dinner and Overnight at Barafu camp.
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Day 6
Barafu – Mweka via Stella Point and Uhuru Peak
Just after midnight we start of a challenging trek(12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 12:30 to 1am, passing between the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers to the rim at Stella Point. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to –10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at the summit. As dawn nears, we'll summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet. Uhuru will be the culmination of - and the reward for - 6- 7 hours of strenuous hiking. We'll then descend back to Barafu Camp, resting for a while before continuing our descent to Mweka Camp (9,840 feet, 3-4 hours of walking on the descent).Dinner and Overnight at Mweka camp.
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Day 7
Mweka – Arusha
Breakfast. You will make our final descent to the park gate, a walk of about 3 or 4 hours. After bidding our farewells to our guide and porters, we'll drive to Arusha for b/breakfast, end of 7 Days Machame Route Mount Kilimanjaro
What is included
Included in the price
- 6 nights accommodations(Camping Gear) including 1 night in Arusha before or after the climb
- Ground transportation to and from Arusha and the gate
- Tour guide service (English speaking guide available) during your 7 Days Machame Route Mount Kilimanjaro
- Porters
- All taxes/VATMeals as indicated in the itinerary
Not included
- Prices do not include air travel, country entry or departure fees, airport porter fees, visas, phones, valet, all items of a personal nature and beverages and food unless otherwise stated.
- Tips to the Tour Guide and Porters
- Mountain Climbing Gear
- Travel Insurance
- Other personal items
- 7 Days Machame Route Mount Kilimanjaro
Common questions
How long is the 7 Days Machame Route Mount Kilimanjaro?
This itinerary runs 7 days, starting and ending in Nairobi. It is a private departure, so the dates are yours to choose and the pace can be adjusted. If you would like more or less time in Mt. Kilimanjaro, we can rebuild the itinerary around that.
How many people will be in my safari vehicle?
Six at most, and that is a hard cap. Our Land Cruisers seat seven, so there is always a spare seat and every guest has a window and unobstructed access to the pop-up roof hatch. A fully private vehicle is available on any itinerary for a supplement.
When is the best time to do this Mt. Kilimanjaro trip?
July to October is peak season, with the Mara River crossings and the best trekking weather, and it carries the highest rates. March to May is the long rains: green landscapes, newborn game, very few vehicles and the lowest prices of the year. January to February is dry, hot and excellent for general game viewing. There is no bad month, only months that suit different things.
How do I book, and what deposit is required?
Send an enquiry and we return a day-by-day itinerary with every cost itemised, usually within 24 hours. There is nothing to pay to get a quote. To confirm, we take a 30% deposit, with the balance due on arrival. Changes are free up to 30 days before departure and our full cancellation terms are published on the site.
Request this itinerary
We will send a day-by-day plan for the 7 Days Machame Route Mount Kilimanjaro with every cost itemised, within 24 hours.
