Itinerary for 6 days Mount Kilimanjaro group joining via Machame route
- Day 1: Kilimanjaro Machame Gate – Kilimanjaro Machame Camp
- Day 2: Kilimanjaro Machame Campsite to Kilimanjaro Shira Campsite
- Day 3: Kilimanjaro Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Valley
- Day 4: Kilimanjaro Barranco Camp to Kilimanjaro Barafu Camp
- Day 5: Barafu Camp to Kilimanjaro summit, down to Mweka Camp
- Day6: Kilimanjaro Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Arusha or Moshi
Day 1: Machame Gate – Machame Camp
On Day 1, the journey to Kilimanjaro starts at Machame Gate. The camp for the day is Kilimanjaro Machame Camp. This is the beginning of the adventure, where travelers begin their ascent towards the majestic mountain. The path leads from the gate to the camp, setting the stage for the challenging yet stimulating expedition ahead Distance covered: 10.6km, Time to be used: 6 hours, Meals: Lunch and Dinner, Accommodation: Machame Camp.
Day 2: Machame Campsite to Shira Campsite
After breakfast we leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west into a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.
Distance Covered: 5.4km, Time to be used: 4-6 hours, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Accommodation: Shira Camp
Day 3:Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Valley
Leaving Shira Camp, trekkers ascend to Lava Tower, a prominent volcanic formation. This is a crucial acclimatization point where the group pauses to adjust to the altitude. From Lava Tower, the trail descends to Barranco Camp, nestled in a picturesque valley. The day's descent helps further acclimatization..
Distance Covered: 10.8km Time to be used: 8 – 10 hrs, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Day 4: Kilimanjaro Barranco Camp to Kilimanjaro Barafu Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elevation 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elevation 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Campsite. You have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here at Barafu campsite, hike(s) and the team together make camp with views of the summit in the distance
Distance Covered: 8.5 km, Time to be used: 8 hrs, and Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Accommodation: Kibo Hut
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Kilimanjaro summit, down to Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly 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 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.
Distance Covered: 16.4km Time to be used: 7-8 hours ascent – 4-6 hours descent, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Accommodation: Mweka Hut
Day6: Kilimanjaro Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Arusha or Moshi
Head down back to Mweka gate here you will be awarded a certificate for successfully reaching the highest point in Mount Kilimanjaro. Then the driver will drive you back to your hotel