Day 1
Kilimanjaro
Machame Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) To Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft)
Distance: 11km
At 8:30am, leave Moshi for Machame Gate, where you will meet the Ascend
Tanzania porters, guides, and cooks that will spend the next seven days trekking
with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. The drive through coffee farms and
villages to Machame Gate takes about 1.5 hours. Once you arrive, wait at the gate
while Summit Odyssey registers your climb and the porters and guides make
final preparations.
Your first day’s destination is Machame Camp. Each day, porters and cooks will
walk ahead to set up the camp in time for your arrival. On the first day, hike
through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. The forest will thin
at the end of the hike and vegetation will change to include heathers, tall grasses
and wildflowers. If the weather is clear, view the surrounding area and your
ultimate destination, Kibo Peak.
Day 2
Kilimanjaro
Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft) To Shira 2 Camp (3,840m/12,600ft)
Distance: 5km
Although considered to be the easiest day on the Machame Route, today’s trek
includes several uphill sections. Carry plenty of drinking water, as the exposed
hike can be hot on a clear day. There are several viewpoints from which you can
see the plains and forests below and Kibo and Mawenzi peaks above.
As you gain altitude, notice the change in vegetation. The trees diminish in size,
giving way to Kilimanjaro’s famous high altitude plants, Scenecio kilimanjari and
Lobelia deckenii. After eating lunch, climb the Shira Plateau, created when Kibo’s
lava flows filled the Shira crater. Continue to Shira Camp, where you will relax for
the rest of the day. Kibo lies to the west and Mount Meru to the east.
Day 3
Kilimanjaro
Acclimitization Day at Horombo Hut
Day 3 Distance: 10km
Although this up and down day ends with an elevation gain of only 110 meters,
by early afternoon you will have climbed 690 meters to a height of 4,530 meters
before beginning your descent to Barranco Camp. This day is crucial for
acclimatization.
After breakfast, hike east on the Shira Plateau before reaching the junction for
the Shira and Lemosho Routes. Continue on through the barren landscape before
stopping for lunch. Shortly after lunch, reach the highest point of the day before
descending quickly to Barranco Camp. Faster hikers can take a detour via Lava
Tower, a 300-foot lava formation jutting out of the mountainside.
Barranco Camp, set among stands of Senecio kilimanjari, is considered to be the
most scenic campsite on the Machame Route.
Day 4
Kilimanjaro
Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) To Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft)
Distance: 9km
Leave Barranco Camp after an early breakfast to begin the long hike to Barafu
Camp. The day begins with an hour and a half scramble up the Barranco Wall.
This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you will have to use your
hands to pull your body up. After reaching the top, you will make a short descent
into the greener Karanga Valley before continuing on to Barafu Camp. On the way
to Barafu, view several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects the
descent route, Mweka, with the Machame trail.
During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. Although the
way to Barafu is bleak, alpine desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers
stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, and Rebmann Glacier. Try to sleep as
soon as you finish dinner as you will be waking up at midnight for your summit
hike.
Day 5
Kilimanjaro
Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) To Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) To Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)
Distance: 17km
Around midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in
Africa. For the next six hours, hike by the light of your headlamp. The ascent to
the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very
steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point.
The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes
go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The
crater rim hike takes approximately one hour. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos
of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Mweka
Camp. On the way down from Uhuru, enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds
and glaciers.
At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three
to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.
Day 6
Kilimanjaro
Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) To Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft)
Distance: 10km
After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate. Your last hike on
Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Watch
your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery. Ascend Tanzania
vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to
Moshi. You will be able to buy t-shirts and sodas at the gate.