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Machame route 6 days 5 nights
Overview
It is a six-days, five nights hike. Get all the right gear and get hiking. It is of course a challenge but that is exactly what guests look for in a Kilimanjaro hiking expedition. We will even go as far as stating that the challenge is what makes the hike interesting and adventurous and as a bonus guests get to hold a certificate on reaching the summit at Kibo.
Highlights
- See one of the few snow cupped summits in Africa
- Engage in birding with several bird species inhabiting the Kilimanjaro forest vegetation
- Experience different climatic conditions
- Hike to the highest point on the African continent
- Own a certificate on the completion of the hike to the summit of the mountain
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp (10,000 Ft).
Today you begin your trek from Machame park entrance gate, through a dense forest of fig and rubber trees, begonia flowers and other tropical vegetation. A walk of about two to three hours will take you to this evening’s campsite. Arrival at Machame Camp is usually between 5 and 6 p.m.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Plateau (12,500 Ft)
Enjoy the fabulous view of Uhuru Peak as it greets you this morning. Today’s trek takes you up a steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, volcanic rock and bearded heather. You will encounter giant groundsels as you hike through an ethereal landscape of volcanic lava, caves and foaming streams. A trek of approximately six hours will take you to your Shira Camp; you should arrive between 2 and 3 p.m.
Day 3: Shira Plateau to Barranco Camp (13,000 Ft).
On your 6 a.m. wake-up call today, you will find the entire Shira Plateau at your feet, with sweeping views across to Mount Meru and the Shira Needles. A steady walk takes you up to the pass at Lava Tower (15,000 ft), where you will stop to have lunch. After crossing the Bastains stream, you begin the descent towards Barranco Camp. Grand Barranco is an immense canyon. Numerous waterfalls, which are fed by streams coming from the mountain, converge here to form the Umbwe River. Your camp is set at almost the same altitude as on the previous night. Today’s trek lasts for about six hours and arrival at camp is between 4.30 and 5.30 p.m.
Day 4: Baranco Camp to Barafu Camp (15,200 Ft).
The lovely scenic climb to Barafu is mostly on alpine desert terrain; a mainly mineral environment with few lichens and mosses. Mawenzi Peak towers majestically to the right and Kibo Peak seems just a stone’s throw away. Arrival at Barafu camp around 4:30 p.m. Climbers who wish to attempt the summit should retire early tonight, as the next day is the longest of the whole climb.
Day 5: Ascent to Summit (19,430 Ft) / Descent to Mweka Camp (10,200 Ft).
It is at this stage that the climb becomes much more difficult and hikers should carry as little as possible for this stage which starts at midnight. Temperatures range from -4 degrees to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Climbing steadily, flanked by the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers, for about six hours will bring you to the edge of the crater between Stella and Hans Meyer points. Another hour of climbing brings you to the summit. Uhuru towers at 19,340 ft and is the highest point on the continent of Africa. Descend to Mweka Camp for the night. Arriving into camp at around 5 p.m. you will look back and realize that, today, you have trekked a total of thirteen hours!
Day 6: Mweka Camp to the Gate
Congratulate yourself today on your great achievement! The descent to the gate takes approximately five hours and climbers usually arrive before noon. Upon arrival at the gate, you will be rewarded with a certificate attesting your success After lunch transfer to Moshi/Arusha for overnight or to the airport for your flight back home.
