1. Climbing Kilimanjaro, Machame route, 7 days
Day 1
Meeting at the airport, transfer to hotel. You will be met at Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport. On the way to the hotel, you will see all the splendor of Mount Kilimanjaro. Check in at the hotel (bed and breakfast)
Day 2
Transfer from the hotel to the gates of Machame, trekking to the camp of Machame. Elevation: from 1830m to 3000m (from 6000ft to 10,200ft), Distance: 11km, Hiking Time: 5-7 hours, Vegetation: Montane Forest. Drive from Arusha or Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. The journeys pass through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
Day 3
Camp Machame, trekking to the Shira camp. Elevation: from 3000m to 3840m (from 10,200ft to 12,600ft), Distance: 5km, Hiking Time: 4-5 hours, Vegetation: Moorland. After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
Day 4
Shira camp, Lava tower, Barranco camp. Acclimatization day. Elevation: from 3800m to 4630m, to 3986m, (from15,000ft to 13,700ft), Distance: 11 km, Hiking Time: 5-7 hours, Vegetation: Semi-desert. From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4876m / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860m / 12,664 ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Day 5
Camp Barranco, trekking to camp Barafu. Elevation: from 3900m to 4600m (from 13,007ft to 15,295ft), Distance: 9km, Hiking Time: 8 hours, Vegetation: Alpine Desert. After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (lunch at 4200m / 13,779 ft), and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Day 6
Barafu camp, Summit Uhuru peak, trek to Mweka camp. Elevation: from 4600m to 5895m and down to 3100m (from 15,100ft to 19,300ft and down to 10,200ft), Distance: 5km ascent / 12km descent, Hiking Time: 6-8 hours ascent / 3 hours descent, Vegetation: Stone scree and ice-capped summit. Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (5685m / 18,652 ft), 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 encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Beer and soda may be available for purchase at the Mweka Hut — the only location on this route.
Day 7
Camp of Mweka, trakking to the gates of Mweka, transfer to hotel Moshi or Arusha. Elevation: from 3100m to 1830m (from10,200ft to 6000ft), Distance: 10 km, Hiking Time: 3-4 hours, Vegetation: Forest. After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to hotel in Arusha or Moshi
2. Climbing Kilimanjaro, Machame route, 8 days
Day 1
Meeting at the airport, transfer to hotel. You will be met at Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport. On the way to the hotel, you will see all the splendor of Mount Kilimanjaro. Check in at the hotel (bed and breakfast)
Day 2
Hotel, transfer to Machame gate, trekking to Machame camp. Distance: Approximately 18 kilometers, Habitat: Montane forest. After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Arusha (1400m) and driven to the Machame Village. In the village, you can buy mineral water and will receive a packed lunch. From the village, depending on the road conditions, you will either continue driving 3 kilometers or walk to the Machame Gate (1490m). At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the look out for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! About halfway up the trail you will have a lunch break and you will reach the Machame Camp (2980) in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chef, who move very fast up the mountain, will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served. For overnight, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!
Day 3
Camp Machame (2980 m), trekking in Camp Shira (3840 m), Hiking time: 6 hours, Distance: Approximately 9 kilometers, Habitat: Moorland. After an early morning breakfast, you will start you ascent leaving the rain forest and entering the heathland moorland vegetation. You will cross many streams and walk over a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau that leads to Shira Camp (3840m). At this campsite, you will be next to a stream and have a spectacular view of the Western Breach and its glaciers in the East. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up prior to arriving at camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.
Day 4
Shira Camp, trakking to Lava Tower, Hiking time: 7 hours, Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers, Habitat: Semi-desert. Following an early morning breakfast, you will leave the moorland environment and enter the semi desert and rocky landscape. After 5 hours of walking east, you will be come face to face with the Lava Tower (4630m). Packed lunches are served at the Tower and hikers have the option of climbing the massive Lava Tower weather permitting. At this point of the hike, it is normal for hikers to start feeling the effects from the altitude including headaches and shortness of breath. After lunch, you will descend from Lava Tower (4630m) to the Barranco Campsite (3950m). The 6800m descent gives hikers a huge advantage to allow their bodies to adjust to the conditions of high altitude. The descent to camp takes around 2 hours to reach. It is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall (“Breakfast Wall”). Drinking and washing water and dinner will be served as hikers view the sun setting.
Day 5
Camp Barranco (3950 m), trakking to the camp of Karanga (3950 m). Acclimatization day. Hiking time: 4-5 hours, Distance: Approximately 5 kilometers, Habitat: Alpine desert. After an early morning breakfast, it is now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may look intimating at first glance, hikers state that this Class 2 hike is usually much easier than they anticipated. At the top of the Wall, you will have a view of Heim Glacier and will be above the clouds. The trail then winds up and down in the Karanga Valley. This is an ideal hiking day for acclimatization.
Day 6
Karanga camp (3959m), trekking to the Barafu hut (4600m), Hiking time: 2-3 hours, Distance: Approximately 4 kilometers, Habitat: Alpine desert. Following breakfast, you will leave Karanga Camp (3959m). The trail intersects with the Mweka Route, which is the trail used to descend on the final two days. As you continue hiking for an hour, you will reach Barafu Hut. This is the last water stop for the porters because there is no accessible water at Barafu Camp (4550m). The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!
Day 7
Climbing Day! Barafu camp (4600 m), Summit Uhuru peak (5895 m), descent to the Mweka camp (3100 m), Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 7-8 hours to descend to Mweka, Distance: Approximately 7 kilometer ascent and 23 kilometer descent, Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit. Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The route heads northwest and you will ascend over stone scree. During the ascent, many hikers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. In about 6 hours, you will reach Stella Point (5685m), located on the crater rim. After enjoying the magnificent sunrise, you will continue ascending for about 2 hours on a snow-covered trail to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours. At camp, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Mweka Hut (3100m). The Mweka Trail will lead you through the scree and rocks to the moorland and eventually into the rain forest. Mweka Camp (3100m) is located in the upper rain forest, so fog and rain should be expected. You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at camp.
Day 8
Camp Mweka (3100 m), trakking to the gates of Mweka (1980 m), transfer to the hotel Moshi or Arusha, Hiking time: 3 hours, Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers, Habitat: Forest. Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, hikers will descend into the Mweka village for 1 hour (3 kilometers). You will be served a hot lunch then you will drive back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.