Hiking safari overview
In this 9 Days Mt. Kilimanjaro climbing safari, you will attempt to hike to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro following the Machame Route. If you are looking for a challenging but truly rewarding hiking trail to summit Kilimanjaro with, this safari is for you given the fact that Machame which is also known as the Whiskey route, has a reputation for being among challenging hikes due to its steeper hikes, in contrast to the easier Marangu route, which is known as the Coca Cola route. The trek begins at Machame Gate (1790 metres), located in the southern base of the mountain, within its lush, fertile rainforest. The route heads toward the Shira Plateau, before circling along the southern circuit halfway around the mountain, exposing the climber to great views from all angles. The approach to the summit is made from the east, and the descent follows the Mweka trail.
Hiking highlights
Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport, meet and greet and transfer to a hotel in Moshi town
Day 2: Start the hike at Machame Gate (1790m/5907 ft.) to Machame Camp (3010m/9933 ft.)
Day 3: Depart from Machame Camp (3010m/9933 ft.) to Shira Cave Camp (3875m/12788 ft.)
Day 4: Shira Cave Camp to Lava Tower (4600m/15180 ft.) to Barranco Camp (3900m/12870 ft.)
Day 5: Hike further to Karanga Camp (3995m/13184 ft.)
Day 6: Extend from Karanga Camp (3995m/13184 ft.) and ascend to Barafu Camp (4676m/15430 ft.)
Day 7: Summit to the highest point UHURU PEAK (5895m/19454 ft) & then descend down to Millennium Camp (3850m/12705 ft.)
Day 8: Descending from Millennium Camp (3850m/12705 ft.) to Mweka Gate (1630m/5379 ft.) and drive to your hotel in Moshi town.
Day 9: Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport and depart to your next destination.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
Accommodation:
Meal plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Machame Gate (1790m/5907 ft.) to Machame Camp (3010m/9933 ft.)
In the morning after breakfast at the Hotel, You will be picked up by our car to the office to meet with our team to get final preparations before start driving to the Machame gate of which will be One hour drive from Moshi to Machame gate, where we complete park formalities, and start our Mountain Expeditions! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.
Elevation gain: 1220m/4026 ft.
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Vegetation zone: Montane Rainforest
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Machame Camp (3010m/9933 ft.) to Shira Cave Camp (3875m/12788 ft.)
Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt. Meru rises high above Arusha town in the distance.
Elevation gain: 865m/2855 ft.
Distance covered: 7km
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Vegetation zone: Montane Rainforest and Mooreland
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Shira Cave Camp (3875m/12788 ft.) to Lava Tower (4600m/15180 ft.) to Barranco Camp (3900m/12870 ft.)
Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp. The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600 matres), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude. At the Alpine Desert zone the air becomes drier due to strong winds and here you will need to drink enough water as your body metabolism will be higher. It is advisable to drink at least 3 liters a day of water.
Elevation gain: 25m/83 ft.
Distance covered: 10.8km / 6.7mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hrs.
Vegetation zone: Mooreland and Alpine Desert
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3900m/12870 ft.) To Karanga Camp (3995m/13184 ft.)
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3995m/13184 ft. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Elevation gain: 95m/313.5 ft.
Distance covered: 6 km
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Vegetation zone: Mooreland and Alpine Desert
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Karanga Camp (3995m/13184 ft.) to Barafu Camp (4676m/15430 ft.)
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4676m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Elevation gain: 765m/2525 ft.
Distance covered: 3km / 1.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Vegetation zone: Alpine Desert
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Barafu Camp (4676m/15430 ft.) to UHURU PEAK (5895m/19454 ft.) & down to Millennium Camp (3850m/12705 ft.).
We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5756m/18995 ft.) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m/19454 ft.). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Elevation gain: 1219m/4023 ft. (from Barafu camp to Uhuru peak)
Elevation lost: 2045m/6749 ft. (from Uhuru peak down to Barafu camp then down to Millennium camp)
Distance covered: 13.4km / 8.3mi
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Vegetation zone: Alpine Desert, Arctic/Summit and Moreland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 8: Descending from Millennium Camp (3850m/12705 ft.) to Mweka Gate (1630m/5379 ft.)
A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome hot shower.
Elevation lost: 2220m/7326 ft.
Distance covered: 13.5km
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Vegetation zone: Montane Rainforest and Moorland/Health
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day 9: Depart Tanzania
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some gift shops before heading to the airport.
Safari inclusions;
Safari exclusions;
