This is a 6 Days Kilimanjaro Hike via Machame Trail on the famous Machame trail. Get a chance to explore the beautiful scenery on Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the tallest mountain in Africa. It stands 19,340 feet above sea level with its main attraction being it snow-capped peak. Kilimanjaro is comprised of three cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Kibo is the peak of the mountain and the highest of the three volcanic structures. While Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, Kibo is considered dormant and may erupt again.
Highlights for 6 Days Kilimanjaro Hike (Machame Trail)
Day 1: Pickup from Moshi and Transfer to Machame Camp
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit and to Mweka Camp
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Back to Moshi
Detailed Itinerary for 6 Days Kilimanjaro Hike (Machame Trail)
Day 1: Pickup from Moshi and Transfer to Machame Camp
The drive from Moshi to Machame Gate takes around 45 minutes. The trek goes past the settlement of Machame, which is located on the mountain’s lower slopes.
You will leave the park entrance and follow a twisting route up a ridge through the rainforest. At lower levels, the route may be muddy and treacherous. Gaiters and hiking poles are recommended here. You will go a little way till we reach Machame Camp.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast, you will leave the rain forest glades and proceed up a rising trail, crossing the valley by a high rocky slope. The trail now heads west along a river canyon until you reach the Shira campground.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
After having your breakfast, from the Shira Plateau, you will continue east along a ridge, past the intersection and heading for Kibo’s summit. As you proceed, our path shifts to the southeast, towards the “Shark’s Tooth” Lava Tower (elevation 4650 meters above sea level).
Shortly after the tower, you will come to the second intersection leading to the Arrow Glacier. You are currently heading down to the Barranco Camp. Although you conclude the day at almost the same height as when you started, this day is critical for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
After having breakfast at your camp, you will leave Barranco and climb a hard slope up the Barranco Wall (elevation 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elevation 4050m/13,250ft), to the intersection of the Mweka Trail. You will head up to the Barafu Camp. You’ve finished the South Circuit, which provides views of the peak from various perspectives. Here you will set up camp, with views of the top in the distance.
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Summit and to Mweka Camp
After having breakfast in the morning, you will continue our journey to the peak between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers in the early hours (midnight to 2 a.m.). You go northwest and climb over hard scree to Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most psychologically and physically hard part of the journey. At Stella Point, you’ll take a quick break before being rewarded with the most spectacular dawn you’ve ever seen. Faster hikers may see the dawn from the summit.
On your 1-hour journey from Stella Point to the peak, you may experience snow the entire time. Uhuru Peak is the highest peak on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit, you will descend directly to Mweka Camp, pausing for lunch at Barafu. You may require gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel descent. You will arrive at Mweka Camp and spend your final evening on the mountain.
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Back to Moshi
After breakfast, you will continue your descent to the Mweka Park Gate, where you will get your summit certificates. At lower levels, it may be damp and muddy. Gaiters and hiking poles will assist. Shorts and t-shirts should suffice (have rain gear and warm clothes in case it rains).
Your driver guide will be waiting for you at Mweka Gate to take you back to your accommodation in Moshi (about 60 minutes).
End of 6 Days Kilimanjaro Hike via Machame Trail
