Machame route
Moshi
815m / 2670ft Book into your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for overnight and briefing by your guide.
DAY 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
1830m to 3100m
6000ft to 10,200ft
Distance: 18km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest The drive from Moshi to the 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.
We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest 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. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
DAY 2
Machame Camp to Shira Camp
3100m to 3840m
10,200ft to 12,600ft
Distance: 9km
Walking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
machame3
Day 3
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
3840m to 4630m to 3860m
12,600ft to 12,700ft
Distance: 15 km
Walking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4876m / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860m / 12,664 ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
OPTIONAL DAY
(7-day trek)
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
3860m to 4200m
12,700ft to 13,800ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite.
