Machame-Route

• This route is very scenic and offers a medium to high success rate, especially in the seven-day variant. For beginners, the ascent in six days is not recommended.
• The route is particularly well suited to acclimatization thanks to the "high climb, deep sleep" principle on the third day. After climbing from Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower and having lunch at 4,600m, climb back down to Barranco Camp (3,900m) for overnight.
• Like all Kilimanjaro routes, the Machame is a challenging and picturesque climb through four varied climate zones.
• You can split the ascent the day before the summit attempt and spend an extra day in the Karanga Camp (seven-day option) to rest before the big effort.
• The route is now very popular and therefore relatively crowded, especially in the Barranco Camp, where hikers of the Lemosho, Shira and Umbwe routes also find themselves.
• On the Machame route only camping with full board is possible.

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Machame Gate (1.490 m) – Machame Camp (2.980 m)

Hiking Time: 7 Hours

Distance: About 18 Km.

Habitat:mountain forest

After an early breakfast you will be picked up at your hotel in Arusha(1,400 m) and driven to the village of Machame. Here you can buymineral water and receive a packed lunch. Depending on the roadconditions you drive from the village to Machame Gate or walk the 3 km on a muddy path in about an hour. After the registration atMachame Gate you start your ascent, which first leads throughrainforest. The probability of rain is very high here, so that the path canquickly get wet, muddy and slippery. Halfway, a welcome lunch awaitsyou for lunch before you reach Machame Camp in the late afternoon. 

The porters are already at the camp before your arrival to set up yourtent and boil drinking and washing water. In the evening you enjoy thedinner prepared by your cook and make yourself comfortable in yourtent. At night the temperatures here already reach freezing point.

Day 2: Machame Camp (2.980 m) – Shira Camp (3.840 m)

Hiking Time: 6 Hours

Distance: About 9 Km.

Habitat: Moorland

After an early breakfast at Machame Camp you walk uphill for about anhour through the forest and then two hours through a gently risingmoorland landscape. At noon you take a short break and then climb over a rocky outcrop up to the Shira plateau. In the east you can nowsee the breathtaking glaciers of the Western Breach. You are locatedjust west of the Kibo and after a short hike you reach Shira Camp at 3 840 m. The porters boil off drinking and washing water for you andserve dinner later. In this unprotected camp it is even colder withtemperatures far below freezing than in the previous night.

Day 3: Shira Camp (3.840 m) – Lava Tower (4.630 m) – Barranco Camp (3.950 m)

Hiking Time: 7 Hours

Distance: About 15 Km.

Habitat: semi-desert

Today you hike east through a rocky semi-desert and reach a height of4,630 m in a walking time of about five hours. Below the Lava Toweryou can enjoy a picnic for lunch and then climb up the steep boulderpath. This is certainly the most exhausting day so far. Most visitors arenow feeling the effects of altitude for the first time in the form ofshortness of breath, irritability and headaches. After lunch you willdescend from the Lava Tower (4,630 m) to Barranco Camp. The descent of almost 680 metres in altitude is a real miracle forac climatisation. You will reach Barranco Camp in about two hours. On the way the Western Breach and the Breach Wall offer impressive photo motivs. The camp is located in a valley below the Western Breachand the Great Barranco Wall. While your dinner is being prepared, you can enjoy an unforgettable sunset here.

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3.950 m) – Barafu Camp (4.550 m)

Hiking Time: 7 Hours

Distance: About 13 Km.

Habitat: Alpine Desert

You wake up in the camp at the imposing Great Barranco Wall. Thenext big obstacle on this route looks huge at first sight, but the ascentis usually easier than expected. When you reach the highest point justbelow Heim Glacier, you can capture the true beauty of Kilimanjaro. The trail meanders up and down rocky ridges through the KarangaValley and finally meets the Mweka Route. On the way back from thesummit you will see this route again. 

After another hour you reach the Barafu Camp on the left over a rockridge up. 
Since there is no water in the camp, freshen up your water supply inthe Karanga Valley beforehand. "Barafu"; means "ice"; inSwahili, and indeed the night on the bare and inhospitablecampground becomes icy cold. The tents stand unprotected on anarrow and dangerous rocky ridge, where they are exposed to theeverlasting gusts of wind. Familiarise yourself with the surroundingsbefore dark to avoid accidents. 

The last 1,345 metres of altitude difference up to the summit will beovercome in the coming night. Get equipment, ski poles and thermalclothing ready for the summit attempt. Also, replace the batteries inthe headlamp and camera, and take spare batteries with you as aprecaution. To prevent your drinking water from freezing, you shouldtransport it in a thermos flask. Go to bed at 7:00 p. m. to rest beforethe big day.

Day 5 (summit attempt): Barafu Camp (4.550 m) – Uhuru Peak (5.895 m) – Mweka Camp (3.100 m)

Hiking Time: 8 hours to Uhuru Peak, 7–8 hours (descent) to Mweka Camp

Distance: rise ca. 7 km, descent ca. 23 km

Habitat: Scree and ice-covered summit

They get up around 23:30 and venture out into the night after a little refreshment with tea and biscuits. First you climb northeast over stony terrain to Stella Point on the edge of the crater. For many mountaineers these 6 hours are the greatest physical and psychological challenge of the route. At Stella Point (5,685 m) you takea short break and (depending on weather conditions) are rewardedwith the most beautiful sunrise you have ever seen. From here a snow-covered path leads to Uhuru Peak in about two hours. How much timeyou can spend at the summit depends on the current weather conditions. But be careful: the longer you rest, the more difficult it becomes to get the cold and tired bones moving again. In any case, you will remember this unique success forever. 

The descent from the summit to Barafu Camp takes about 3 hours. Here you can take a short rest and pick up the rest of your equipment. The further distance over the boulder path and the following moorlandscape up to the forest is relatively easy to walk. The Mweka Campis located in the upper forest area, where fog or rain can be expected inthe late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared for you.

Day 6: Mweka Camp (3.100 m) – Mweka Gate (1.980 m)

Hiking Time: 3 hours
Distance: ca. 15 km
Habitat: Forest

You've earned your breakfast this morning! Together with your teamwe sing and dance. Here on the mountain you give your tip to theguide, his assistants, the cook and the porters. After the farewell partyyou descend to Mweka Gate in three hours. There you register in thename register of the national park and receive your summit certificate. The ascent to Stella Point (5,740 m) is rewarded with a greencertificate, the ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) with a golden one. Thelast three kilometres from Mweka Gate to the village of Mweka takeabout an hour. After a warm lunch you drive back to Arusha, where you can finally take a shower and celebrate even further.

Good tips attempting the Summit Mt Kilimanjaro

Choose the right route for your Kilimanjaro climb One of the biggest problems on Kilimanjaro is people trying to go up the mountain way too quickly.

Mentally prepare, depending on your level of comfort with the outdoors, you may need to prepare yourself for life on the mountain.

Make sure you have the right clothing and boots for Ascending and descending.

Hydration is very important while climbing Kilimanjaro at higher levels of altitude, your body will dehydrate much quicker than it will at sea level, and you will have to make sure you are drinking plenty of water.

Don’t be afraid of little Headache, one of the greatest causes of headaches on the mountain is due to dehydration, so drinking water can greatly help to eliminate or lessen your headaches.

Slow and steady wins the race. When taking on a challenge like Kilimanjaro, or any long trek/climb, you have to remember that it is a marathon, not a sprint. Acclimatization to the low levels of oxygen in the mountains requires you to take your time, to slowly get your body used to lack of oxygen.

Bring some summit treats, there is always plenty of food to choose from on the mountain, but when your tummy is having a hard time with the altitude, those familiar snacks may be all you can get down.

New or extra batteries, replace your head lamp and camera batteries with new ones on your summit night.

Mountain water, the stream water high on the mountain Kilimanjaro has been tested and has been found to be fit for drinking. However, we recommend that you be on the safe-side and use water purification tablets before drinking.

Wet wipes, there is no washing water at Barafu, Kibo and Arrow Glacier camps. Wet Wipes are very useful

Stay out of the sun whenever possible, the second way of protecting yourself is to always wear your goofy looking, yet extremely important, sun hat.

Ladies…No make-up here is necessary!

Remember you are on holidays, enjoy yourself! The most important thing to remember is that you are on vacation, relax, have an open mind, and enjoy yourself!