From Zanzibar: 6 Days Group Luxury Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route in Tanzania

Moshi – Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Elevation (ft): (3,000 m): 5-. 6,000 ft / 1,830 m to 10,200 ft / 3,100 m.

Distance: 11 km.

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours.

Habitat: Montane Forest.

Camp: Machame Camp.

The drive from Moshi to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. You now leave the park gate and walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. You continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Machame Camp to Shira Cave Camp

Elevation (ft): 10,200 ft / 3,100 m to 12,600 ft / 3,840 m.

Distance: 9 km.

Walking Time: 4-6 hours.

Habitat: Moorland.

Full Board Shira Cave Camp

After breakfast you leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The Kilimanjaro Machame route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Valley

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (3,950 m.): 5-7 hours walking.

12,600 ft / 3,840 m to 12,700 ft / 3,860 m.

Distance: 15 km.

Walking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert.

Full Board Barranco Camp

Today you walk on a gentle ascent and panoramic views.  You traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach after a hot lunch at the bottom of the Lava Tower (4,600 m.) you descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco Valley (3,950 m.).

Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp {4600m} 6-8 hours.

4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft

Distance: 9km/

Walking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Full Board at Barafu Camp.

After breakfast, you leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elves 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elves 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. You continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here you make camp with views of the summit in the distance.

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Summit, down to Mweka Camp

Elevation (ft): 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,343ft Down to 3090m/10,150ft

Distance: 6km up / 13km down

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), you continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Reitzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

From Stella Point, you may encounter snow on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa! From the summit you begin your descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. You arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy your last evening on the mountain.

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi

Elevation (ft): 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). Africa Natural Tours vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.

Moshi to Zanzibar

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Zanzibar via flight. Capture final memories, take photos, and thank your guides and porters for their support on this unforgettable adventure.