Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in 7 days – Machame route (+1 free day in Arusha)

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, our representative will meet you and drive you to your hotel for a first evening in Tanzania. Arusha is a major international diplomatic hub. The city hosts and is regarded as the de facto capital of the East African Community. Arusha is surrounded by some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks. Situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, it has a mild climate.

The road transfer from the Kilimanjaro International Airport to your lodge will take about 1 hour, so sit back and enjoy the ride through the city's sub-urban arriving at your lodge for a well deserved overnight.

On this day before the beginning of your Kilimanjaro experience, our guide will do a briefing during which a gear check shall be made. These essential steps will assure security for all, and increase significantly the level of success. The previously completed and submitted medical form shall be reviewed together. Do not hesitate to inquire for further information. You shall be introduced as well to your trekking mates during the briefing.

Night at Arusha Ahadi Lodge with breakfast

Machame Gate (1,790m/5,872’) –> Machame Camp (2,980m/9,776’)

Today after breakfast we will drive from Arusha to Machame Gate where you sign in and get a permit to start climbing. We join the climbing crew here and together we start climbing. Your guide will tell exactly what to expect each day: weather-wise, the nature of the trail and the wildlife that you will grow to know so well. Do not hesitate to ask your guide while you are hiking to point out any special features that might interest you.

Machame Camp

The night will be spend at Machame Camp. You will enjoy your first meal of the expedition.

Note : Time and Camping place can be modifided according to the clients, weather and reaction to altitude.

Machame Camp (2,980m/9,776’)–> Shira camp (3,650m/11,975’)

Today is an easy paced acclimatization day. We will continue our hiking through streams, a river gorge and moorlands. Camp is set a little higher on the Shira Plateau with expansive view of Kilimanjaro. There is an optional hike in the afternoon where you can enjoy the large scenecios and lobelias that grow at this elevation.

Shira Camp

We will spend the night at Shira Camp. This camp offers a great view of the Kibo Peak. At this location which displays vast prairies and bushes, you will find them regrouped to face the cold and wind. At night, the sky is covered with thousands of stars and you can admire the famous Southern Cross and hear the distant cries of jackals. The next morning, you can not miss the presence of buffalos, or elands.

Moir (4,164m/13,660’) –> Tour Lava (4,650m/15,257’) –> Barranco (3,950m/12,960’)

Today, we will hike to elevation of 15,000 feet before descending to our camp. We will pass by Lava Tower; you will have the opportunity to climb. This area will
be your first introduction to alpine zone where the only plant life is the heartiest of grass and lichens. You ascend through the moorlands to alpine desert zone. You will climb slowly.

Barranco Camp

Barranco Camp, where we will spend the night, is located in a beautiful valley, with stunning views of Mount Meru, the twin volcano of Mount Kilimanjaro. You will also have the Heim glacier views, the southern slope of Kibo, not to mention the impressive Barranco Wall.

Barranco (3,870m/12,700’) –> Karanga (3,995m/13,107’)

As the slope is steep we climb rapidly which gives a wonderful view of the area. We think we see the summit of the wall but as we reach it we realise it was not... but never mind, it's the beginning of the day and we're full of beans! More over, the landscape is so beautiful that we really enjoy this trail to the summit that we reach approximately less than two hours after we left the camp. Once at the top, Heim glacier is overhanging. After a quick break we start to descend in a desert landscape as far as Karanga valley. Then the vegetation is back again offering a stunning contrast. We rapidly reach the bottom of the valley where runs what will be our last source of water until Kibo, the top of Kilimanjaro. Here lies the last difficulty of the day, a steep rocky wall that we climb in laces. Twenty minutes later we reach Karanga camp... in the clouds.

Karanga Camp

We will spend the night at Karanga camp located below Heim, Kersten & Decken glaciers.

Karanga (3,995m/13,107’) –> Barafu (4,605m/15,109’)

Today, we will hike to elevation of 15,000 feet before descending to our camp. We will pass by Lava Tower; you will have the opportunity to climb. This area will
be your first introduction to alpine zone where the only plant life is the heartiest of grass and lichens. You ascend through the moorlands to alpine desert zone. You will climb slowly.

Barafu Camp

We will spend the night at Barafu camp, after a dinner cooked by our chef on site.

Barafu (4,605m/15,109’) –> Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341’) –> Mweka (3,068m/10,066’)

At midnight you will begin ascent to Uhuru Peak. You are going to complete some serious achievements and goals. Hiking from six to eight hours from the camp will bring your life into perspective, when you stand on the top of the highest free-standing mountain in the world. The weather will tell you how long you are going to spend on the top of Africa for taking pictures and rolling up your trip. From the summit will take approximately three hours hike and have a short stop for lunch around Barafu camp. Later, to proceed and make to Mweka Camp where you are going to spend your last night on Kilimanjaro and have your victory celebration!

Camp Mweka

You shall spend your last night on the conquered volcano, the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro at Mweka Camp, located more than 9,000’ (almost 3,000m) lower than the summit reached. It will be time to celebrate your victory with great satisfaction!

Camp Mweka (3,068m/10,066’) –> Mweka Gate (1,650m/5,514’) -> Arusha

Today is our last hike. The hike is steep in places and may be slippery if it is a wet day. Please use trekking poles. At Mweka Gate you will say goodbye to your
mountain crew and enjoy your picnic lunch. We will drive to Arusha for hot shower and an early dinner. For those of you who will return home, we shall say Goodbye for those who would like to see more of Tanzania, it will be a pleasure to take you in some of the most amazing national parks or would you like a relaxing time on the spice island of Zanzibar, we could also arrange for that.

Night at Arusha Ahadi Lodge. Half Board