Generally, we recommend the 7-day version of this route as it affords more time to acclimatize. This 6 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route is for very fit people who want a challenge ONLY.

The key difference between the 7 and 6-day versions of this route is that the 6-day hike misses a night camping at Karanga Camp. This means the hiking section from Barranco to Base Camp is long and the time to rest before your summit bid is short. This means if you do not acclimatize well or are unfit, this is very tough.

• Hike Distance – 39miles / 63 km

• Vertical Gain – 16,628ft / 5068m

• Drop – 17,153ft / 5228m

• Trekking Time – 45 hours

DAY 1 – MACHAME CAMP

START – 5,906FT / 1800M

END – 9,302FT / 2835M

DISTANCE – 7 MILES / 11KM

TIME – 5-7 HRS

CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST

After breakfast, you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate, your crew finalizes packing and after finishing with formalities you start hiking from Machame Gate. Today’s hiking is through verdant Afromontane forest and is steep in places. A picnic lunch is taken on the trail during the hike before reaching Machame Camp for the night.

DAY 2 – SHIRA

START – 9,302FT / 2835M

END – 12,304FT / 3750M

DISTANCE – 3 MILES / 5KM

TIME – 4-6 HRS

CLIMATE ZONES – AFROMONTANE FOREST / HEATH

From Machame camp you hike to Shira Camp. The first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly but you will still make it to your next camp in time for a hot lunch. The zone you pass into today is known as the heath zone where attractive helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys.

DAY 3 – BARRANCO CAMP

START – 12,304FT / 3750M

END – 12,796FT / 3900M

DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM

TIME – 6-8 HRS

CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

Today is a “walk high sleep low” day. You ascend into alpine desert to Lava Tower (Alt: 15,092ft, 4600m) where lunch is taken before descending to Barranco Camp. This is a long day but note that the next time you head to this altitude is at base camp – a great acclimatisation day!

DAY 4 – BARAFU

START – 12,796FT / 3900M

END – 15,332FT / 4673M

DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 9KM

TIME – 6-8 HRS

CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT, HEATH

From Barranco camp, famous for its’ giant groundsels (Senecio species), you ascend the Barranco wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga camp. Lunch is taken at Karanga valley before heading to Barafu in the afternoon. Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet in the evening, splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the evening. Overnight Barafu Camp. Alt 4,600m,15,092ft (full board).

DAY 5 – KILIMANJARO SUMMIT / MWEKA CAMP

START – 15,332FT / 4673M

END – 10,171FT / 3100M

DISTANCE – 11 MILES / 18KM

TIME – 14-16 HRS

CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT, ARCTIC, HEATH

Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence are the name of game to reach the summit (Uhuru Peak: 19341ft, 5895m) and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point (Alt: 18,865ft, 5750m) affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down, however. The first stage is to get back to our base camp for a quick change of clothes and refuel before the long hike downhill to Mweka Camp. The downhill is hard on the knees and walking poles at this stage are highly recommended. You should reach Mweka Camp before dusk for your final night on the mountain.

DAY 6 – ARUSHA

START – 10,171FT / 3100M

END – 5,381FT / 1640M

DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM

TIME – 3-4 HRS

CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST

After breakfast you descend once again through Afromontane forest and around midday, after lunch, diplomats collection and saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well-deserved shower! Later that evening you will be visited by our Representative to congratulate you, to find out how the trip went, and to answer any final questions you may have about your onward journey.

END OF YOUR 6 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route

6 Days Machame route Includes:

• Park fees, (entry fee camping/hut fees & rescue fees crew fees)

• 18% VAT on tour fees & services

• Three health and fresh meals

• Professional and experienced mountain Guide

• Professional and experienced cooks.

• Transportation to & from the airport

• Transportation to & from the mountain gates

• Enough number of porters for your luggage, food, water, and camping equipment.

• Food, shelters, and fair wages for the porters, cooks, and guides

• Camping gears (sleeping tents, dining tents, tables, chairs, and cooking gear)

• Radio and cell phone communication that help us to stay in contact within and outside the group therefore we can respond almost instantaneously to whatever issue that may arise

• We provide our guides with professional first aids kits and pulse oximeters for daily updates of acclimatization progress

• Assistance with climbing permit procedure

6 Days Machame route Excludes:

• Personal porters

• All international and domestic flights

• Tourist Visas

• Medical and Travel insurance

• Tips to mountain crew

• Mountain trekking gears e.g. walking poles (available for hire upon request)

• Sleeping Bag (available for hire upon request)

• A portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra (US$200 per toilet + toilet tent)

• Others; Extra expenses as food or drinks separate from those described in the itinerary, satellite phone calls, transference fees, and other services not specified as included.

• Any other alterations to our itineraries

• Emergency Oxygen