Machame Route

After breakfast you will be transferred to the Machame Gate at Kilimanjaro National Park from where your hike starts. Today, walk through the beautiful rainforest with dense vegetation, often on a muddy trail, with short sections of steep climbs. The trekking pace is slow and very comfortable, ensuring you have enough time to enjoy the natural surroundings, take a photo and nibble on your packed lunch that we provide. The first campsite, Machame Camp, is on the edge of the dense rainforest, offering your first peek of the mountain in the distance.

From Machame Camp the trail continues over steeper terrain interspersed with easy walking. The vegetation changes to increasingly sparse trees and bushes into moorland. There are generally plenty of Proteas and Erica flowers en-route as you gain height along the path. Views of Kibo and Uhuru peak with its snow-capped summit becomes a regular sight as you near Shira Camp. The camp itself is one of the most scenic as it allows views towards the west with Mt Meru in the distance and offer views of Kibo (the top of Mt Kilimanjaro). You often see the most spectacular sunsets from Shira with the clouds below you and the higher mountain peaks peeking through to catch the last bit of sunshine. Just a short hike from the camp is the Shira Caves. This makes a very nice acclimatisation walk before you enjoy a fabulous dinner and good night’s rest.

Today you hike up to 4,630 m (15,190 ft) while crossing a ridge and view the plains far below. Hiking through the alpine desert with boulders scattered around and dust hugging the rocks gives the illusion that you are walking on the moon. At Lava Tower, a big rocky outcrop, you have views of the ancient glacier ice of the Breach Wall on Kibo before descending to Barranco Camp. The path passes the "Garden of the Senecios", which features many of the huge senecio plants as well as lobelia plants. Sunset and sunrise at this camp is breath-taking. The sun paints the rocks in front of camp a dreamy red-yellow colour with the white ice of the high peaks shining bright. Looking towards the south you may see the little town of Moshi far below. You often sleep above the clouds at Barranco Camp.

The day begins with a scramble up the steep ‘Barranco Wall’, then we trek 3-4 hours and stop in the Karanga Valley for a hot lunch. In the afternoon the trail turns steadily uphill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight. Eat and drink as much as possible before retiring to your tent for rest and sleep.

Wake up very early to have a quick bite to eat and something warm to drink before setting out in darkness. The hike to Stella Point is a very slow steep walk on volcanic scree for about 5-6 hours. The headlamps on the trail towards the summit almost look like fireflies flying in a long row. As you approach the crater rim you will enjoy the most memorable sunrise you may ever experience – the sunrise over Africa! Often you see the curving of the earth at this high altitude and the sunrise on the horizon just accentuates it. Keep your camera ready at all times as there are plenty of photo opportunities along the summit. Once you reach Stella Point on top of the crater rim, Uhuru Peak is in sight. Hike along fairly flat terrain for about 40-45 min to reach Uhuru Peak. Spend a few minutes at the top and get that photo of you next to the sign marking the summit - definitely one for your collection.
Descend from Uhuru Peak in high spirits as you have just achieved your goal. The trail down from Stella Point on the Mweka route is often enjoyed by hikers sliding down the scree slope, which entails skidding down the loose gravel with big steps and some sideways moves. Try it, it is fun! With every step going down your body enjoys having more oxygen to breathe in. Depending on how you feel, you may enjoy a short rest at Barafu Camp before descending down to Millennium Camp or Mweka Camp. Most of our expeditions overnight at Mweka Camp this evening.

The day begins with a scramble up the steep ‘Barranco Wall’, then we trek 3-4 hours and stop in the Karanga Valley for a hot lunch. In the afternoon the trail turns steadily uphill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight. Eat and drink as much as possible before retiring to your tent for rest and sleep.

Enjoy a slow hike through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. It is not a rare sight to spot Black and White Colobus Monkeys in the trees as well as Blue Monkeys. Take time to enjoy the lush vegetation with the Old Man’s Beard (tree moss) growing on the giant trees as well as some Giant Ferns towering high over the forest bed. The path has many steps leading you down to Mweka Gate where you may find a cold beer or soft-drink to start celebrating your assault of Kilimanjaro.
You will be transferred back to Moshi, Keys Hotel or similar, to overnight and celebrate (breakfast included).

This evening your guides will meet you to hand out your Kilimanjaro Certificates.