7 Days Machame Route Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Day 1

You will drive from Arusha to the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. The trip will pass through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. After leaving the gate of the park, you will cross the rainforest on a winding path up a ridge. Further down, the path can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and hiking poles may be useful. You will then continue the hike for a short distance until you reach Camp Machame.

- Altitude: 5,400 feet to 9,400 feet.

- Distance: 11 kilometres

- Walking time: 5 to 7 hours

- Habitat: tropical forest

Day 2

After breakfast, you will leave the clearings of the rainforest and continue on an uphill path, crossing the small valley and walking along a steep, heather-covered rocky ridge to the end of the ridge. As you hike, you will turn the route westwards over a river gorge. After that you will rest, have dinner and spend the night at Shira campsite.

- Altitude: 9,400 feet to 12,500 feet

- Distance: 5 kilometres

- Walking time: 4 - 6 hours

- Habitat: heathland

day 3

From the Shira Plateau, you will continue your journey eastwards up a ridge, passing the junction to the top of the Kibo. During your hike, you will change your path to the southeast towards the lava tower, called "shark's tooth".

Shortly after the tower, you will arrive at the second junction which will take you to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 feet. You will then continue to Barranco Camp at an altitude of 13,000 feet. There you will rest, enjoy dinner and spend the night. Although you will end the day at approximately the same altitude as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the day of the summit.

- Altitude: 12,500 feet to 13,000 feet

- Distance: 10 kilometres

- Walking time: 6 - 8 hours

- Habitat: semi-desert

Day 4

After breakfast, you will leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge over the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day for acclimatisation.

- Altitude: 13,000 feet to 13,100 feet.

- Distance: 5 kilometres

- Walking time: 4 to 5 hours

- Habitat: Alpine desert

Day 5 

After breakfast, you will leave Karanga and join the junction that connects to the Mweka Trail. You will continue the journey to Barafu camp. At this point, you will have completed the southern circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. There you will make camp, rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the day of the summit. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from here.

- Altitude: 13,100 feet to 15,300 feet

- Distance: 4 kilometres

- Walking time: 4 to 5 hours

- Habitat: Alpine desert

6th day 

Very early in the morning (from midnight to 02:00 am) you will continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You will head north-westwards and climb through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the edge of the crater.

This will be the most mentally and physically difficult part of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 feet) you will stop for a short rest and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you can see (weather permitting).

From the summit, you will then begin your descent, continuing straight to Mweka Hut campsite and stopping at Barafu for lunch along the way. You may want to bring gaiters and hiking poles for the loose gravel that descends. Mweka camp is located in the upper forest and you can expect mist or rain in the late afternoon. Later in the evening you will enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-deserved sleep.

- Altitude: 4700m / 15,350ft to 5895m / 19,340ft Up to 3090m / 10,150ft

- Distance: 5 km / 3 mi upwards / 13 km / 8 mi downwards

- Walking time: 5-7

- hours of ascent / 5-6 hours of descent

- Habitat: rocky scree and ice-covered summit

Day 7

After breakfast, you will continue the descent to the Mweka Park gate to receive your summit certificates. At low altitude it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and hiking poles will be useful.

From the gate, you will continue walking for another hour to the village of Mweka. Our Foot Slopes Tours & Safaris Ltd vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka Village to take you back to your hotel in Arusha.

- Altitude: 10,000 feet to 5,400 feet.

- Distance: 10 kilometres

- Walking time: 3 to 4 hours

- Habitat: tropical forest

- Clothing.

- A warm sweater because the nights can be cool at high altitude.

- Comfortable shoes.

- Waterproof hiking boots.

- Waterproof jacket.

- Sun hat.

- Walking poles.

- Insecticide.

- Solar cream.

- accommodation for 6 nights

- A professional driver / guide

- All mountain trekking equipment

- All transport

- Bath towels

- Camping equipment

- Daily drinking water

- Daily meals

- Guided hike to Mount Kilimanjaro

- Park fees (for non-residents)

- Porterage

- accommodation before and after the programme for 2 nights

- Rescue costs

- airport transfers to and from the airport

-International flights

- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)

- Tips (approx. 10 USD per person per day)

- Mountain equipment

- Sleeping mattress: