6 Days Machame Route
6 DAYS MACHAME ROUTE: MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMBING
The Machame route is a great option if you’re looking for a scenic and challenging climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. It is possible to complete the climb in six days, however the route is designed for seven days. The option for 6 days is recommended for experienced climbers.
The Machame Route 6 days start with a hike through the rainforest to the Machame Camp. From there, hikers climb to the Shira Camp, to the Lava Tower, and finally to the Barranco Camp. The next day, hikers skip Karanga Camp, and then ascend to Barafu Camp.
From Barafu Camp, hikers make their final push to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro before descending to Mweka Camp. The final day descend through the rain forest to Mweka gate.
Itinerary for 6 Days Machame Route
DAY 1: Arrival Day
DAY 2: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Meet with your climbing team at the hotel and drive to Machame Gate. The Machame gate is located at the southern base of the mountain. On arrival at the park gate, your guide will help with all necessary registration formalities while the porters sort out the luggage. Our Kilimanjaro expedition starts after obtaining our entrance permit. We hike through the rainforest, where we can see some of the endemic plants of Kilimanjaro, such as the impatiens kilimanjari or Elephant trunk.
We can also see junipers, sycamore trees, tree ferns, and moss. We will get our lunch halfway to fuel up the remaining hours of hiking to our first camp for today. We will provide you with hot water for washing at the campsite. Enjoy your first dinner on the mountain with us. Welcome to Machame Camp!
Accommodation: Machame Camp
Vegetation Zone: Moorland
Elevation: 1800 amsl
Hiking time: 5 hours
Hiking distance: 11 km
DAY 3: Machame Camp to Shira Cave Camp
Enjoy your first breakfast on Kilimanjaro! You deserve a heavy breakfast as the trail is steep today. We leave the camp soon after breakfast and walk over the rocky ridge on the Shira Plateau. We can get a nice view of Shira Peak and Shira Plateau. We will have our picnic lunch before climbing the last steep ridge closer to the camp. We can see our campsite for today as we finish the last steep part of the day. When we arrive at the campsite, your waiter will bring hot water for washing. After the tea/coffee break, we leave the camp for a short walk to Shira cave and climb higher for acclimatization. We return to the campsite for a delicious dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Shira Cave Camp
Vegetation Zone: Moorland
Elevation: 3750 amsl
Hiking time: 6 hours
Hiking distance: 5 km
DAY 4: Shira Cave Camp to Barranco Camp
We check out Shira to Baranco Camp after a heavy breakfast. We will arrive at the junction connecting the climbers from the other side of the Lemosho route. We head to Lava Tower 4600 amsl, the highest point for today. After a hot lunch at the lava tower, descend to Barranco camp for dinner and overnight.
Hiking from Shira Cave to lava tower: 4 hours, 7 km
Hiking from lava tower to Barranco Camp: 2 hours, 3 km
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Vegetation Zone: Moorland
Elevation: 3900 amsl
DAY 5: Barranco camp to Barafu Camp
Today we climb the Barranco wall. We begin our climb by crossing the river. The trail is very narrow and steep, except for traffic. Cross a famous part of the Barranco Wall, where you hug and kiss Rock to step on the other side. The walking poles are not necessary in this section. Your professional guides are always there to assist you. Within an hour, arrive at the top of the Barranco wall for fantastic photos.
Short break and proceed to Karanga Camp for a hot lunch.
After lunch, check out Karanga to Barafu camp. Unlike other days, expect an earlier dinner. Get yourself enough resting time to energize for a summit night.
Hiking from Barranco Camp to Karanga: 4 hours, 6 km
Hiking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp: 4 hours, 4 km
Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert
Elevation: 4673 amsl
DAY 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Today is a momentous day that you have been eagerly anticipating. You will wake up at around 11 pm to get ready for the summit. After a light breakfast, we will embark on our summit adventure around midnight. Your head guide will lead the way, setting a comfortable pace. It is crucial that you heed the advice of your professional guides to reach Uhuru Peak safely and comfortably.
We will take a short tea break at Stella Point, which is situated at 5756m. After an additional hour of hiking, we will arrive at Uhuru Peak, which stands at 5895m. At Uhuru Peak, take the time to relish the breathtaking views and capture photos before descending to base camp for breakfast and lunch.
After lunch, we will leave Barafu and head to Mweka Camp, where we will spend our final night on Kilimanjaro.
Hiking from Barafu Camp to Stella Point: 6 hrs 4 km
Hiking from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak: 1 hrs 1 km
Descending from Uhuru to Barafu Camp: 3 hrs 5km
Descending from Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp: 4 hours and 7.5km
Accommodation: Mweka Camp
Vegetation Zone: Moorland
Elevation: 3100 amsl
DAY 7: Mweka Camp to Arusha
After our last breakfast on the mountain, we leave Mweka Camp, descending about 3 hours to Mweka Gate. On arrival at the gate, we will get lunch, collect certificates and then drive to your hotel in Arusha for a shower and celebrations.
DAY 8: Departure
Today is your last day in Tanzania. We can arrange a day-trip tour to Arusha Park, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Napuru Waterfalls, or Ilkidinga Cultural Tourism before airport time. Alternatively, you can choose to extend your stay and explore more of Tanzania’s attractions.
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PRICE
Group Size | 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | 6 Pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price PP | $ 2100 | $ 1920 | $ 1880 | $ 1850 | $ 1820 | $ 1760 |
PRICE INCLUDE:
– Airport pick up and return transfers
– 2 nights hotel accommodation in Arusha (Bed and Breakfast)
– Lunch box and drinking water
– Transfer from the hotel to Machame Gate
– Pick up from Mweka Gate to the hotel
– Conservation fees, Camping fees, Rescue fees
– Enough food for all days on the mountain (Three meals per day)
– Quality Tents, Sleeping mats, Comfortable Chairs and Tables
– Wages for Porters, Cooks and Guides
– Mountain Climbing Certificate
– First Aid Kit
– Pulse Oximeter and Oxygen Cylinder
PRICE EXCLUDE:
– Passport and Visa
– Mountaineering Insurance( cover up to 6000m is recommended)
– Lunch and dinner at the Hotel
– Domestic and International flights
– Optional tours not mentioned in the itinerary
– Extra night at the Hotel
– Hiking Gear, Sleeping Bag (available on rental)
– Private Toilet
– Laundry services
– Items of personal nature
– Tip
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