Day 1
Kilimanjaro
Machame Gate To Machame Camp
Distance: 11km
At 8:30am, leave Moshi for Machame Gate, where you will meet the Gifted
African Adventures 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 To Shira Camp 2 | 5km / 3mi
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
Shira 2 Camp To Lava Tower To Barranco Camp | 10Km / 6mi
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 To Karanga Camp | 5 Km/ 3mi
Distance: 5km
After 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 acclimatisation.
Day 5
Kilimanjaro
Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp To Kosovo Camp | 5 Km / 3mi
Distance: 5km
You will awaken to the warm embrace of sunshine illuminating Kibo Peak and
savor a nourishing breakfast to fuel your day's adventure. Today's destination is
Barafu Camp, and your journey will take you through a vast and arid desert
landscape, with Kibo steadfastly accompanying you on the left-hand side. After
approximately 3-4 hours of trekking, you will reach the Barafu campsite. From
this vantage point, you will be treated to panoramic views of Kilimanjaro's two
prominent peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo. This marks a significant milestone in your
Kilimanjaro climb, as you have completed the South Circuit, affording you unique
perspectives of the summit from various angles.
Following a satisfying and hearty lunch, we depart from Barafu Camp, situated at
an elevation of 4,550 meters (14,930 feet). Our destination is a higher and less-
known camp known as Kosovo, which serves as the customary starting point for
summit ascents. Here, we will rest for a few hours in preparation for the
upcoming midnight climb to the summit. Kosovo Camp is a well-kept secret,
known to only a few. Opting to stay here instead of Barafu Camp provides the
advantage of saving valuable time and energy during the initial ascent to
Kilimanjaro's peak. You'll enjoy a peaceful night's rest and wake up at the usual
time, fully rejuvenated.
At Kosovo Camp, we will set up camp, take the opportunity to rest, savor an early
dinner, and relish the tranquil evening as we prepare ourselves for the
exhilarating journey ahead.
Day 6
Kilimanjaro
Kosovo Camp To Summit To Barafu Camp To Mweka Camp | 17 Km /10.5 Mi
Distance: 17km
After a refreshing break with hot tea and snacks, the climb to Kilimanjaro's
summit begins around midnight from Kosovo Camp. We'll make our way through
challenging terrain, passing between the Lebmann and Ratzel Glaciers, and
ascend northwest toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This part of the journey
is mentally and physically demanding.
At Stella Point (18,600 feet), you'll take a brief pause to witness a breathtaking
sunrise if weather permits. You might encounter snow during the one-hour climb
from Stella Point to the summit, Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Kilimanjaro
and the entire African continent. Faster climbers may catch the sunrise from the
summit.
After descending from the summit, we'll head straight to Mweka Campsite with a
lunch stop at Barafu. Gaiters and trekking poles are essential for navigating the
loose gravel during the descent. Expect fog and rain in the late afternoon at
Mweka Camp.
Later in the night, enjoy a final dinner on the mountain before a well-deserved
night's sleep.
Day 7
Kilimanjaro
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate | 10 Km / 6 Mi
Distance: 10km
After the breakfast, conclude your Kilimanjaro trek with a descent towards
Mweka Gate. This final leg of your journey unfolds amidst the enchanting
surroundings of Kilimanjaro's cloud forest. Exercise caution as you make your
way down, as the trail can become slippery.
Upon reaching the lower station of Mweka Gate, Gifted African Adventures
vehicles will be ready to transport you back to Moshi or Arusha. Additionally,
you'll have the opportunity to purchase t-shirts and sodas at the gate, allowing
you to commemorate your memorable Kilimanjaro adventure.