7 DAY - MACHAME KILIMANJARO ROUTE

We will send a driver to
the airport to pick you up and take you to the hotel in Moshi. Orientation will
take place at the hotel. Our guides will highlight all the important details
regarding your trek and an inspection of your trekking gear will take place.

DAY 1

•Machame Gate to Machame Camp

•Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft

•Distance: 11 km

•Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

•Habitat: Rain Forest

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes
about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is
located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

We now leave the park gate
and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the
trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea
here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp. 

DAY 2

•Machame Camp to Shira Camp

•Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft

•Distance: 5 km

•Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

•Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, we leave
the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the
little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until
the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest,
dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite. 

DAY 3

•Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp 

•Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft

•Distance: 10 km

•Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
•Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we
continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo.
As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower,
called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second
junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We
now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest,
enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as
when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help
your body prepare for summit day.

 DAY 4

•Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

•Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft

•Distance: 5 km

•Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

•Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing
the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant
for acclimatization

DAY 5

•Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

•Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft

•Distance: 4 km

•Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

•Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects
with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have
completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many
different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the
summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this
position.

DAY 6

•Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

•Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to

10,000ft)

•Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

•Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the
summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a north westerly
direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater
rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft.), you will stop for a short rest and will be
rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather
permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your
1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point
on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the
sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now
make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping
at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose
gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain
can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last
dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. 

DAY 7

•Mweka Camp to Moshi

•Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft

•Distance: 10 km

•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

•Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to
receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy.
Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be
plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, you
continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka
village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi. .

FOR 6
PEOPLE $22,417, $6,832 USD PER