6-Day Machame Route

For those who only have six days to climb Kilimanjaro, the Machame route is the best choice because of its acclimatization profile. Compared…

Trip Type

Hiking
Activities

Trekking
Group Size

2 Min - No size limit
Reviews

0 Reviews
Locations

Mountain Kilimanjaro
Trip Duration

N/A

Trip Enquiry

Keywords kilimanjaro , trekking

Trip code WT-CODE 195

For those who only have six days to climb Kilimanjaro, the Machame route is the best choice because of its acclimatization profile. Compared to other six day routes, the Machame route exposes the climber to higher elevations quicker (day three) which kick starts the body's adaptation to altitude. However, this route requires that a person be in good shape to be able to tackle the challenging elevation gains and losses.

You'll be collected from the airport.
Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Itineraries

Day 1

Machame Camp

After breakfast, your driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the Machame Gate, where you will complete the registration process and hand your luggage over to the crew. Your Kilimanjaro climb will then commence through the lush, verdant rain forests to Machame Camp. Along the way, you will see a variety of unusual flora and fauna, in addition to the colorful bird life and monkeys. Lunch will be served on route by your team of chefs and porters, before you continue to your base camp for the evening.

Day 2

Shira camp

After a hot breakfast in the mess tent, you will refresh your daypack with water, snacks and waterproof clothing before heading up the relatively steep Shira trail. Surrounded by an abundance of bird life and a savannah of tall grasses and heather, the Shira trail is a beautiful stretch that offers magnificent views of Uhuru peak on a clear day. As with day 2, the crew will serve a warm lunch on route to the base camp.

Day 3

Barranco

Today is an important day for acclimatization, and to limit the effects of altitude sickness you will climb high and sleep low. Ascending into the alpine desert, you will view the entire Shira plateau as you hike slowly but surely upwards to pass the Lava Tower at 15,000 feet, before descending down through the immense canyon of Grand Barranco to base camp.

Day 4

Karanga

Today’s hike up and over the Barranco Wall may seem a little daunting, but after a warm breakfast you will be ready to attempt this imposing wall of rock. A relatively short day of hiking, the Barranco wall takes approximately 1 and half hours to mount, and the views from above are spectacular. With no further increase in elevation, you will trek through the glacial valleys towards Karanga Camp.

Day 5

Barafu

To day is another important day for acclimatization, and while the trek to Barafu camp is relatively steep. You will reach camp around midday, leaving plenty of time to relax. After lunch, your guide will offer you the opportunity to hike a little further for acclimatization purposes (weather permitting), or you may prefer to rest at camp. Dinner will be served as usual before you head back to your tent for some much needed rest. At11pm you will be woken with a warm drink and biscuits, and prepare for your midnight summit attempt.

Day 6

Mweka camp

Today is the day you have been dreaming about! After your midnight departure from Barafu and 6-7 hours hiking you will reach the welcoming green sign of Stella Point. As the sun starts to rise, you will be exposed to the sheer beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro, and despite being exhausted and cold, you have just another 40 minutes to go along a relatively flat path to reach you final destination – Uhuru Peak. What goes up must come down, and after taking those cherished photos from the Roof of Africa, you will begin your descent back to Barafu Camp for a well-deserved warm lunch. You guide will then decide whether you trek down to Millennium or Mweka Camp for your final evening on the mountain.