Project Description
Program Highlights
- Length: 6 days
- Itinerary category: Kilimanjaro trekking
- Destination: Mt Kilimanjaro via Machame
- Route specifics: Machame known as “whiskey route” is the most popular route for climbing Kilimanjaro. It’s steep and hence suited for experienced hikers
- Travel activity: Mountain trekking
- Major attractions: Africa’s highest mountain, five climatic zones
- Starting point: Moshi
- Ending point: Moshi/Arusha
Program Details
Day 1: Moshi Town To Machame Gate (1640 m) To Machame Camp (2835 m)
Pickup from the hotel in Moshi and drive to Machame gate for registration formalities. Start walking through the attractive banana and coffee farms of Machame village. The path follows a ridge through dense mountain forest. Break for lunch at at ‘Halfway Clearing’, a small opening in the trees and proceed with the walk to reach Machame camp in the evening. Dinner and sleep at the camp.
Day 2: Machame Camp (2835 m) To Shira Camp (3850 m)
Climb up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known as Picnic Rock. The path provides such excellent views of Kibo (one of Kilimanjaro’s peaks). Proceed walking to reach Shira Plateau for a lunch break. The trail leads on to Shira camp in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Shira Camp (3850m) To Lava Tower (4600m) To Barranco Camp (3900m)
The day is meant for acclimatization where you trek from the Shira plateau through “Garden of Senacious” to climb Lava tower. Get time to rest and have lunch while at the tower. Descend the tower and continue hiking to reach Barranco camp. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3900 m) To Karanga Camp (4000 m) To Barafu Camp (4600m)
Start climbing steeply up the Barranco wall, the 900 ft cliff. Pass through hills and valleys approaching the Karanga valley for a lunch break. Trek out of Karanga valley following the path which intersects with Mweka trail. Climb through the rocky section to reach Barafu camp. Have much rest and drink lots of water as preparing for the summit. It’s recommended to sleep very early by 19:00.
Day 5: Ascend To The Summit At Uhuru Peak (5895m)
Wake up around 23:00 for a cup of coffee and adding more warm clothes. Start climbing by midnight through the volcanic scree while approaching Stella point (5685 m). Reach at the summit at sunrise for spectacular view of glaciers. Take another round trip to finally reach Uhuru peak (the roof of Africa). Get time for photographs and some rest at the summit. Start descending to reach at Mweka hut in the evening for an overnight stay.
Day 6: Mweka Hut (3100 m) To Machame Gate
Hike through the rainforest to reach the final destination at Machame gate. Get awarded with certificates where golden certificates are given to hikers who reached Uhuru peak and green to those who reached Stella point. Show appreciation by tipping guides, cooks and porters. Get transferred to Moshi for much celebrating and hot shower.
