Bellow is day to day program for 7 Days Machame trekking
Day 1: Arrival - Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) - Arusha
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, our transfer driver will be waiting for you. He will take you to the tulia hotel, where the rest of the day is at leisure. You might want to explore the town of Arusha (taxi required) or just relax at the lodge. In the evening you will be briefed by our team on site in preparation of the upcoming trekking tour. You will spend the night will do this briefing of our Kilimajaro Trek Machame Route depend on your arrive time.
Day 2: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
The Kilimajaro Trek Machame Route will start with a drive from Arusha to the Machame Gate takes about 1.5hrs. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp.
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Meal Plan: Lunch on route either hot lunch or packed lunch.
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Elevation : 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft
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Distance : 11 km/7 miles
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Hiking Time : 5-7 hours
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Habitat : Rain Forest
Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.
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Meal Plan: Lunch on route either hot lunch or packed lunch.
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Elevation : 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft
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Distance : 5 km/3 miles
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Hiking Time : 4-6 hours
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Habitat : Heath
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. Through the Senecio Forest, we descend down to Barranco Camp to an altitudinal level of 13,000 ft. Even if you start and end at the same altitude, it is very beneficial for acclimatization.
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Meal Plan: Lunch on route either hot lunch or packed lunch.
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Elevation : 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
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Distance : 7 km/4 miles
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Hiking Time : 4-5 hours
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Habitat : Alpine Desert
Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
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Meal Plan: Lunch on route either hot lunch or packed lunch.
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Elevation : 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
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Distance : 5 km/3 miles
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Hiking Time : 4-5 hours
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Habitat : Alpine Desert
Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
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Meal Plan: Lunch on route either hot lunch or packed lunch.
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Elevation : 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
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Distance : 4 km/2 miles
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Hiking Time : 4 km/2 miles
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Habitat :Alpine Desert
Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. 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.
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
On our last day of Kilimajaro Trek Machame Route , we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Arusha.
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Meal Plan: Lunch on route either hot lunch or packed lunch.
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Elevation : 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
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Distance : 10 km/6 miles
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Hiking Time : 3-4 hours
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Habitat : Rain Forest
Day 9: Departure Day
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Arusha town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
*Safari, Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania
End of Our Kilimajaro Trek Machame Route 7Days & 6Nights Safari
