Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
6 Days 5 Nights Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route
For those who only have six days to climb Kilimanjaro, the Machame route is the best choice because of its acclimatization profile. Compared to other six day routes, the Machame route exposes the climber to higher elevations quicker (day three) which kick-starts the body’s adaptation to altitude. However, this route requires Kili Step 2 Safaris a person is in good shape to be able to tackle the challenging elevation gains and losses.
The six-day Machame variation is a difficult route. In particular, day four combined with day five makes for a very hard schedule. Day four is a full day of hiking from Barranco to Barafu. Then after dinner and a partial night’s sleep, the very long and strenuous summit day begins around midnight. The 6 day Machame route requires 19-24 hours of demanding walking, at extremely high elevation, with only 4-6 hours of sleep..
| Destination | Kilimanjaro National Park |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 Days 5 Nights |
| Tour Type | Climbing, Hiking, Trekking |
| Accommodation Type | Camping |
| Group Size | No size limit |
| Tour Guides Language: | English |
| Starting Point: | Airport / Moshi / Arusha |
| Ending Point: | Airport / Moshi / Arusha |
Day By Day Itineraries
You will be driven from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, passing through the village of Machame, located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave park gate behind, our walk starts through the rain forest on a winding trail up the ridge. At some sections the trail can be muddy and slippery, so the gaiters and trekking poles are a good to bring.
- Distance: 11 km Hiking
- Time: 5 - 7 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
- Meals:Lunch and Dinner Included.
The second day continues through increasingly sparse trees and bushes into moorlands. The day finishes with Shira Camp, which is on a small plateau in the high moorlands, and features views of Kibo in the northeast and Mount Meru towards the west. White necked ravens can be seen throughout the day. There is also a set of small caves a short walk from the campsite known as the Shira Caves.
- Distance: 5 km Hiking
- Time: 4 - 6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Today’s route turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower. Lunch will be served in a designated area before ascending the rocky path to Lava Tower. After lunch you descent again to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, you will feel actual benefit of acclimatization. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall.
- Distance: 10 km Hiking
- Time: 6 - 8 hours
- Habitat: Semi Desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
After breakfast, we take short scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley, beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. After a short and well deserved break we leave Karanga and cross the junction Kili Step 2 Safaris connects with the Mweka Trail, used for descend from the mountain later. From here we continue up to the Barafu Camp. Here we will rest, have dinner and prepare for the summit day. From Barafu you can enjoy the view of two volcanic cones Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, and Kili Step 2 Safaris view is quite spectacular and you should not miss it.
- Distance: 9 km Hiking
- Time: 8 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. The last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. At the rim we will reach Stella point, from where we have further hour to Uhuru Peak. After a short stop for taking photos we descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on past Millenium camp down to Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the forest edge. Those with the strength left from the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the ice pinnacles of the Eastern Ice-fields. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
- Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
- Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
- Habitat: Arctic
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
- Distance: 10 km Hiking
- Time: 3 - 4 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Included.
Price includes
| Included |
Private pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro international airport. Pre & Post Trek accommodation Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees 18% VAT on tour fees & services 4 Season big sleeping mountain tents Double layered Sleeping Mats Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters Transportation to & from the mountain gate 3 meals daily while on the mountain Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO) Filtered water throughout the trek Government taxes VAT 18% on park entrance fees Salary for the Guides,porters,Cooks |
|---|---|
| Excluded |
Flights Personal expenses such as beverages (other than those included with meals, as listed in each itinerary) Tips to mountain crew Laundry Services Insurance Costs of visas |
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