9 Days Mount Kilimanjaro - Machame Route

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport; meet by our knowledgeable driver guide, after greetings and double check your bags will transfer you to Moshi town (45 minutes’ drive, 42Km). Briefing will be provided by your Kilimanjaro professional and experienced guide. Your Kilimanjaro guide will also check your climbing equipment’s. Anything missing can be rented for you.



Accommodation: Panama Garden Resort (https://panamagardenresort.co.tz/) or Similar

A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your raincoats.
This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
• Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
• Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
• Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.
At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Change in Elevation: Machame Gate (1,800 m) — Machame Camp (3,010 m)
Hiking distance: 5km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours



Accommodation: Machame Camp

After breakfast you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp (3,845 m). On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Physically speaking, the trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 300-meter gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp you will be served a hot dinner.
Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp:
Change in Elevation: Machame Camp (3,010 m) — Shira Camp (3,845 m)
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3,845 m) — Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,120 m)
Hiking distance: 2 km
Hiking time: 1–2 hours



Accommodation: Shira Camp

After breakfast you will leave Shira Camp (3,845 m) and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1–2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be.
Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day you will be climbing it, but don't worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.
Note: If one or more participants feel sick, the group may refrain from passing the Lava Tower and adjust the route, following instead the road for porters. In this case you will not reach an altitude of 4,630 meters, getting up only to a maximum of 4,400 meters.
Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3,845 m) — Lava Tower (4,630 m) — Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 6-8 hours

Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — highest point reached: 4,270 m
Hiking distance: 2.5 km
Hiking time: 1–2 hours



Accommodation: Barranco Camp

On this day it is best to make an early start to avoid crowding on the way up Barranco Wall. Despite the Wall's seemingly daunting height and steepness the actual climb is rather merciful at a mere hour or so. The top provides a great photo opportunity with Kibo Peak as the backdrop.
The next part of the day is rife with ups and downs where your guides will choose the best place for individual climbers. A lunch break at Karanga Camp shall be followed by an acclimatisation climb towards Barafu with its highest point being 4,270 m. The group then drops back to Karanga Camp for the overnight.

Trekking between Barranco and Karanga Camp:
Change in Elevation: Barranco: 3,960 m - Karanga: 4,035 m.
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — highest point reached: 4,270 m
Hiking distance: 2.5 km
Hiking time: 1–2 hours


Accommodation: Karanga Camp

After breakfast you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization climb towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp with its highest point being 4,800 m and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.

Trekking between Karanga and Barafu Camp:
Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
Hiking distance: 6km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) — Kosovo Camp (4,800 m)
Hiking distance: 2 km
Hiking time: 1–2 hours



Accommodation: Barafu Camp

You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka Camp (3100m) for Dinner and Overnight.
Note: Don't forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.
Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) — Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — Mweka Camp (3,100 m)
Hiking distance: 7 km to Uhuru Peak, and 12 Km descend to Mweka Camp
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, and 7 – 8 hours to descend to Mweka Camp
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.


Accommodation: Mweka Camp (Dome Tent)

The camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park's exit: Mweka Gate (1,680 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.
Change in Elevation: Mweka Camp (3,100 m) — Mweka Gate (1,680 m)
Hiking distance: 12 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Rain forest


Accommodation: Panama Garden Resort (https://panamagardenresort.co.tz/) or Similar

After breakfast at your hotel today we shall have a short walk around Moshi town then transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport to connect with your flight back home. Or connect with local flight to Zanzibar.
Note: while most hotels have a 10:00 AM check-out policy, they also offer late check-out for those with evening or night flights. The fees are moderate.