7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Summit Trek via Machame Route
Highlights
Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro
mountaineering, nature, trekking
Group Tour
7 Days
Hard
English
Description
Climb the Machame Route, which begins in the southwest of the mountain. Access to the Machame Route is relatively straightforward. It tends to be the most popular choice because the topography of the route is very conducive to good acclimatization, and the likelihood of summiting through this route is relatively high. Discover marvellous forests and natural sites, and behold places created by volcanic eruptions!
Itinerary
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Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Hut
After breakfast at the hotel, meet your team of guides and porters and travel together to Machame Gate to register for the climb.
Once registered, begin the ascent, which follows the track through forests up to Machame Huts.
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Day 2: Shira Cave
Make a short but steep climb. It is likely to be very hot and dusty, hiking up a series of hills, with the most dramatic landscapes as far as the eyes can see. Reach the Shira Plateau.
On the way, pass through huge boulders and steep rocks that resulted from the volcanic eruptions. As this stage takes around 4 - 5 hours, there is plenty of time, so take things slowly and enjoy the views!
The camp will be at New Shira Cave.
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Day 3: Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
See spectacular views of Kibo today as you steadily ascend on a meandering path towards the Barranco campsite. The highest point of today’s walk is at Lava Tower.
After reaching the Lava Tower, descend into the picturesque Barranco Valley, interspersed with giant lobelia and senecia plants. To aid acclimatization, you will sleep at a lower level, at Barranco Campsite, where there are some spectacular views of the valley below and Kibo Peak, looming high above, on our left, hopefully making up for a tough day which takes between 6 to 7 hours! (3985m/13074ft)
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Day 4: Karanga Valley Camp
- From Barranco camp, famous for its' giant groundsels (Senecio species), ascend to the Barranco wall, a barrier of volcanic rock. Although Barranco looks tall and steep, the climb is straightforward. The views from the wall are nothing less than magnificent.
- Trek through glacial valleys, descending into Karanga Valley and ascending to the next campsite. Here, you can rest for the remainder of the day, giving yourself a chance to acclimatize.
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Day 5: Barafu 'ice' High Camp
Set off for your next camp, Barafu Huts. This day’s hike is short but steep, going uphill to the rocky, craggy slopes at Barafu Hut Camp.
Wake up with tea and biscuits at around 23:00 to prepare for the long push to Uhuru Peak's summit via Stella Point.
The final leg to Uhuru Peak will start around midnight, so take advantage of the available time to rest well and keep yourself warm before the Summit attempt. (4600m/15091ft)
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Day 6: Summit Attemptat
Start the hike at midnight. This is a tough stage as you climb in the dark, feeling cold and tired! After around 5 long hours, reach Stella Point. Here, you can take some time to enjoy your achievement and see unrivalled views as the sun rises.
Begin to descend via the Mweka route for around 1 hr 20 minutes back to Barafu Huts for a brief rest and hot drinks.
Finally, continue down to Mweka Huts. After a further 3 – 4 hours, arrive at the camp for dinner and overnight stay (3100m/10170ft).
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Day 7: Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate
Set off on the final part of your descent that takes 4-6 hours of walk from Mweka Huts down to Mweka Gate.
Meet the guide at the gate with hot lunch and celebratory champagne for the success of reaching Uhuru Peak before you sign out of the registration book and receive the Mount Kilimanjaro certificate.
Later, transfer back to your hotel in Arusha for a shower and rest.
In the early evening, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure.
What's Included
What's Excluded
Know Before You Go
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price
Adult | |
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1 to 10 | /person |
Child | |
1 to 10 | /person |
This is a group tour |