6 Day Kilimanjaro Trekking Machame Route

Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport marks the beginning of your adventure, where our transfer driver warmly greets you and escorts you to the Meru View Lodge in Usa River, situated on the outskirts of Arusha. The remainder of the day is yours to unwind at the hotel or venture into the town of Arusha (taxi required) for exploration. As the evening unfolds, you’ll participate in a comprehensive briefing to prepare for the upcoming trek. Conclude the day with a delightful dinner and a comfortable overnight stay at Meru View Lodge.

Following breakfast, you’ll be transported from the lodge to the entrance gate of Kilimanjaro National Park. As your guide manages the registration process, take a moment to observe the mountain team preparing for the climb. Once the formalities are complete, your Kilimanjaro adventure commences. Soon, you’ll find yourself immersed in the enchanting mountain rainforest, surrounded by ancient trees, primitive ferns, liana, and a carpet of moss on the ground. Listen to the sounds of nature and, with a bit of luck, catch a glimpse of the captivating black and white colobus monkeys in the treetops.

After 5 to 6 hours of trekking, you’ll reach today’s destination – the Machame Camp, strategically positioned just above the tree line. Here, at the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro, you’ll enjoy your first dinner, followed by an overnight stay in tents. This marks the beginning of a memorable journey filled with breathtaking landscapes. Meals provided include breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Commencing with an early morning start, the trail ascends with a steeper incline. The scenery transforms into heath and moorland, revealing an expansive landscape that showcases the awe-inspiring mountain range. Although today’s stage is shorter than the previous day, the journey brings you to the New Shira Camp by mid-afternoon. This camp offers a captivating view of the mountain, and as the sun sets, its warm glow illuminates the rock face and glacier of Kibo, creating a truly breathtaking spectacle. Meals provided for the day include breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Today’s ascent involves climbing approximately 800 meters, yet the campsite will be at an elevation only slightly higher than the previous night. This deliberate adjustment allows your body to acclimatize gradually, a crucial factor as you approach altitudes exceeding 4,500 meters over the next two days.

Embarking on the trek, you’ll navigate a prolonged ascent above the Shira Plateau, heading towards the Lava Tower. The vegetation becomes more sparse, transitioning the landscape into an afro-alpine desert. En route, you’ll traverse the expansive Barranco Valley adorned with lobelia and towering senecio plants. After 6 to 7 hours of trekking, you’ll reach the Barranco Camp, renowned as the most beautiful camp on the mountain. Enjoy meals throughout the day, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The ascent begins around midnight after a reviving cup of hot tea and a light snack. Guided by torchlight, you’ll navigate the scree slopes of Kibo. After 5 to 7 hours of ascending in the darkness, you’ll reach Stella Point (5,730 m), the crater rim of Mt Kilimanjaro. A subsequent 1 to 2-hour climb along the crater ridge will bring you to Uhuru Peak, where the unparalleled glory of Kilimanjaro unfolds before you. Witness the breathtaking 360° view as the sun rises, standing on the “Roof of Africa.”

The descent retraces much of the same route, leading you back to Barafu Camp shortly before midday, where the porters and the cook eagerly await your arrival. Following a warm meal and a well-deserved break of approximately 1 to 2 hours, you’ll descend to Mweka Camp. Here, a comforting supper and a thoroughly earned rest will be waiting for you. Meals provided for the day include breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The concluding chapter of your remarkable adventure commences after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the dedicated mountain crew. Following this, embark on a leisurely 2 to 3-hour descent through the rainforest, culminating at Mweka Gate, where your driver awaits. From there, you’ll be transported back to the welcoming embrace of Meru View Lodge.

After indulging in a refreshing shower, the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Whether you prefer unwinding by the pool or celebrating the triumph of your achievement, this time is yours to savor. Meals for the day include breakfast and dinner.

Following breakfast, you’ll be smoothly transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport. Alternatively, if you wish to extend your adventure in Tanzania, you have the option to embark on a thrilling safari or unwind along the shores of the Indian Ocean. The choice is yours to make the most of the diverse and captivating experiences Tanzania has to offer.