6 days mount kilimanjaro hiking safari via machame route
6 days mount kilimanjaro hiking safari via machame route
Country: Tanzania.
City: Kilimanjaro
Duration: 6 Day(s) – 5 Night(s)
Tour Category: Trekking, hiking safari
Safari Overview.
The 6 days mount kilimanjaro hiking safari via machame route takes the Machame Route which is approximately 62 km/ 37 miles from gate to gate.
It is designed for physically fit people with some hiking experience, but plenty of first time trekkers use the route as well and do just fine.
It is rated as one of Mount Kilimanjaro’s better routes and thus highly recommended.
Safari Inclusions.
Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Pre & Post Trek accommodation at Parkview Inn or Kilimanjaro wonders Hotel
Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees and 18% VAT on tour fees & services which cost nearly 55% of the total cost charged.
4 Season mountain tents
Sleeping Mats
Transportation to & from the mountain gate
Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
3 meals daily while on the mountain
Filtered water throughout the trek
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
Portable flush toilet can be provided for free upon client’s request.
Safari Exclusions.
Flights
Items of a personal nature
Laundry Services
A doctor for the group
Tips to mountain crew
Tip on Mountain Kilimanjaro is recommended for group sharing as following:
Guide $15 – $20/guide/day
Cook $10 – $15/day
Porters $8
6 days mount kilimanjaro hiking safari via machame route
DETAILED ITINERARY.
The 6 days mount kilimanjaro hiking safari via machame route begins from the south, then heads east, traversing underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field before climbing Uhuru peak.
DAY 1: MACHAME GATE (1790M) – MACHAME CAMP (3010M).
After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel/accommodation and taken to Kilimanjaro National Park a 1 hour drive.
While your guide is registering, you can watch the mountain team preparing, it is always impressive ‘what’ and particularly ‘how’ everything is carried up the mountain.
Once this is all packed up, your adventure will begin; after a few minutes you will be deep within the forest with ancient trees, ferns, mosses and black and white Colobus monkeys frolicking in the treetops.
After 5 – 6 hours you will reach Machame Camp situated just above the forest line at 3000m.
Arriving here, the porters have already set up your tents and warm water for washing will be ready.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2: MACHAME CAMP (3010M) – SHIRA CAMP (3845M).
After an early morning start, the path steepens and the vegetation changes into a moorland with shrubs such as hardy Ericas.
Today’s stage is shorter than the previous day and by mid-afternoon, you will arrive at the campsite at the Shira Plateau.
From the camp you will have breath-taking views of the mountain and evening light on the rock face and glacier of Kibo volcano as the sun sets.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP – LAVA TOWER HUT (4640M) – BARRANCO CAMP (3950M).
Today will be a day for ups and downs. You will ascend almost 700m but descend again after reaching the imposing Lava Tower (4640m).
This will help with acclimatisation as you will reach a height of over 4 500m. You will move through different vegetation zones. After reaching Lava Tower the path traverses Barranco Valley dotted with the weird-looking senecios. Barranco Camp is reached after 6 – 7 hours.
Considered the most beautiful camp on the mountain, the camp is situated just below the imposing Barranco Wall. Rest and refuel tonight.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP (3960M) – BARAFU CAMP (4640M).
The first section of today’s route is to scale the ‘Barranco Wall’. Use your hands and feet.
Safety is paramount and you will be secured if necessary, but it looks more daunting than it actually is.
The trail continues with many up and down sections, crossing a few streams, winding and climbing stopping for lunch in the Karanga Valley.
After lunch there will be another 2 – 3 hours climb before you reach Barafu Camp (4640m).
Tonight, drink a lot of fluids, try to eat and go to bed early to rest enough before tomorrow’s summit trek.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5: BARAFU CAMP – UHURU PEAK (5895M) – MWEKA CAMP (3080M).
You will be woken in the midnight hours with a cup of tea and a biscuit. Dressed warmly and geared with a headlight and your daypack you will set off in the darkness.
After 5 – 7 hours of ‘pole pole’, you will reach the rim of the crater, Stella Point. Another one to two hours of going slowly along the crater’s edge and you will arrive at the summit – Uhuru Peak (5895m).
Looking down over the surrounding landscape below in the early morning light, will make you feel on top of the world. You have now reached the ‘Roof of Africa’.
The descent should be easy but dusty, as the volcanic ash will now have defrosted. Returning on the same route you should arrive at Barafu Camp within a few hours where the porters are waiting with food and tea.
Resting for an hour or two, you will continue down to reach Mweka Camp (3080m) for your overnight stay.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6: MWEKA CAMP (3080M) – MWEKA GATE (1630M) – MOSHI.
This is the last day on the mountain completing your 6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro climbing Via Machame Route safari.
After breakfast, the crew will celebrate your achievement with a traditional song as part of their farewell ceremony. You will present them with their tips. Setting off and descending into the moist green forest, it should take about three hours to reach the gate.
Back to your hotel for a hot shower and cold beers wait. There you can revive yourself and celebrate your achievement.
Meal plan: Breakfast
End of trip!