7 Days Machame Route Kilimanjaro Climbing

The journey to the Machame Route for Kilimanjaro Climbing usually begins with a 50-minute drive from Moshi. The route passes through Machame village, located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Once we arrive at the park gate, the hike commences through the verdant rainforest, following a winding path that ascends a ridge. Our first night's destination is Machame Camp, where we will rest after the day's trek.

Destination: Machame Gate To Machame Camp

Accommodation: Machame Campsite

  public camp site

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Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking water

After departing from the lush rainforest, the Machame Route for Kilimanjaro Climbing leads us up a steep incline that eventually transitions into a rocky ridge. From there, we continue to ascend until we reach the expansive Shira Plateau, where we are greeted by stunning vistas of heather and open moorlands. As we make our way across the trail, we come across a substantial river gorge before we arrive at our destination for the night, Shira 2 Camp. It's important to note that this description provides a general overview of the Machame Route, and more specific details could be incorporated based on personal experience or a specific source.

Destination: Machame Camp To Shira Cave

Accommodation: Shira Cave Campsite

  public camp site

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Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking water

Continuing along the Machame Route for Kilimanjaro hiking, we head towards the east before veering southeast towards the impressive Lava Tower, a towering volcanic rock formation that stands at an imposing height of 300 feet. Afterward, we descend through the breathtaking Senecio Forest, which is an unusual yet stunning feature, to reach an altitude of 13,000 feet at Barranco Camp. Although the elevation at the start and end of the day remains the same, the extended period spent at higher altitudes is advantageous for acclimatization purposes. It's worth noting that this description can be further enhanced by incorporating more specific details or personal insights.

Destination: Shira Cave To Lava Tower To Barranco Camp

Accommodation: Barranco Campsite

  public camp site

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Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking water

On this leg of the Machame Route for Kilimanjaro Climbing we kick off the day by descending into a ravine at the foot of the impressive Great Barranco Wall. Afterward, we climb the nearly 900 ft cliff, which is steep yet non-technical. Once we reach the top of the Barranco Wall, we make our way across a succession of hills and valleys until we sharply descend into the Karanga Valley. We wrap up the day's trek by making one final steep climb to Karanga Camp. This segment of the hike is relatively short and is designed to facilitate acclimatization to the higher altitude.

Destination: Barranco Camp To Karanga Camp

Accommodation: Karanga Campsite

  public camp site

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Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking water

Leaving Karanga Camp, we proceed along the Kilimanjaro climbing trail until we reach the junction that links up with the Mweka Trail. Our journey continues upwards towards the rocky section that leads to Barafu Hut. At this juncture, we will have successfully completed the Southern Circuit of the Machame Route, which provides stunning panoramic views of the summit from numerous vantage points. After setting up camp, we rest and savor an early dinner to prepare for the final ascent to the peak. From our vantage point at Barafu Hut, we can admire the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo.

Destination: Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp

Accommodation: Barafu Campsite

  public camp site

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Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking water

Our final and most challenging push to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro begins in the early hours of the morning, around midnight. This portion of the hike is both mentally and physically demanding, with the wind and extreme cold at this elevation and time of day adding to the difficulty. As we ascend towards the peak, we will take frequent but brief breaks to rest. After several hours of hiking in darkness, we will approach Stella Point (18,900 ft) and witness a breathtaking sunrise over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we will reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire African continent. From the summit, we will begin our descent, heading straight down towards the Mweka Hut campsite. We will stop for lunch at Barafu before continuing on. The trail is quite rocky, and the descent can be hard on the knees, so trekking poles may prove helpful. Mweka Camp is located in the upper forest, where mist or rain is common in the late afternoon then we will rest.

Destination: Barafu Camp To Uhuru Peak To Mweka Camp

Accommodation: Mweka Campsite

  public camp site

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Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking water

The final day of our Kilimanjaro trek involves a descent from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate where we collect our summit certificates. As we descend to lower elevations, the terrain becomes increasingly wet and muddy, making for a challenging hike. From the gate, we proceed for another hour to Mweka Village. At Mweka Village, a vehicle will be waiting to take us back to the hotel in Moshi. This marks the end of our Kilimanjaro hiking adventure, and we can look back on the incredible experience with a sense of pride and accomplishment.