Tour overview
Hiking Kilimanjaro Machame Route can be fairly done in 6 days. The entire trek to the summit and all the way back to Mweka gate is about 62 km. This route does not need any kind of technical climbing skills to be able to manage. To be able to make summit, however, you should have a good body fitness because it is moderately difficult. It is not the most challenging route up the mountain, this goes to Umbwe route.
Included
- Park entrance fee
- Accommodation on the mountain
- Service of our English speaking Guide
- Return transport to the mountain
- Potters/Cooks
- All mountain rescue fees
- Any applicable taxes
Not Included
- International flight
- Sleeping bag where applicable
- Visa entry into Kenya or Tanzania
- Tips to /cooks porters and guides
- All your climbing gears
Day 1: From Arusha to Machame Gate
Make an early start to Mount Kilimanjaro after pick-up from your hotel at 8:00 am. You will arrive at Machame Gate first, then head to Machame hut sitting at an elevation rise of 1,200 m (The estimated distance is 10 km). Your first hour trek commences from the gate through a simple track between the dense forest. There are a number of steep sections that you will encounter as you proceed through the path. After the 1,200 m ascent, which is a 10 km walk, you will arrive at Machame hut (This is a 5-7 hour trek).
Hike time: 5 to 7 hours
Elevation: 3,100 m
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Day 2: Machame Hut to Shira Hut
Start out from Machame hut, crossing the stream to the other side of its west bank. Trek through the path up the steep rocky ridge crisscrossing a couple of times before arriving at Shira hut. It is at the base of a semi-circular wall of rocks.
Hike time: 5 to 7 hours
Elevation: 3,800 m
Distance: 6 km (3.72 miles)
Day 3: Shira Hut to Barranco Hut
Continue the trek from Shira hut and hike to Lava tower. From here you will pass though one of the most scenic routes to Barranco via the Great Barranco Wall. The picturesque views are of Kibo valley through Karanga Valley while you hike up and down, returning to Barranco after lunch.
Hike time: 5 hours
Elevation: 3,950 m
Distance: 6 km (3.72 miles)
Day 4: Barranco hut to Karanga Valley
Hike up though the edge of Great Barranco from Barranco hut. Most of this day you will spend trekking on an elevation of 4,250 m. You will have a break at Karanga Valley (At an elevation of 4,000 m) after hiking for a few hours.
Hike time: 4 to 5 hours
Elevation: 4,590 m
Distance: 4 km
Day 5: Karanga Valley to Barafu hut
You will gain a bit more elevation on this day. Also you will take some time to acclimatize and rest for the summit attempt the following morning .Start the trek very early before dawn (at 2 am) since the walk will take between 10 to 14 hours. The 1,100 meter ascent which is a little over 3 km will take you between 6 to 8 hours to cover. Have a brief stay at Uhuru Peak (the highest summit/point in Africa). Later descend via the Barafu route to Mweka camp in about 4-7 hours.
Hike time: 10 to 14 hours
Elevation: 5,898 m
Distance: 4 km
Day 6: Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate, back to Arusha
This last day you will descend through the forest on a jungle path approximately 10 km (about 1,400 m descent). You will reach Mweka gate in about 3 to 4 hours for a transfer to Arusha.
Hike time: 4 hours
Elevation: 1,400 m
Distance: 4 km
