6 DAYS - MACHAME ROUTE

DAY 1: ARRIVAL
- Pick up from Kilimanjaro International airport and transfer to the hotel in Arusha town for Dinner and overnight.

DAY 2: MACHAME GATE TO MACHAME CAMP
Elevation (m): 1830m to 3100m
Elevation (ft): 6000ft to 10,200ft
Distance: 18km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

After breakfast drive from the hotel in Arusha town to Mt. Kilimanjaro . 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 to the Machame Camp. 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 Hut. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy our dinner, and overnight.

DAY 3: MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP
Elevation (m): 3100m to 3840m
Elevation (ft): 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.

DAY 4: SHIRA CAMP TO LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP
Elevation (m): 3840m to 4630m to 3860m
Elevation (ft): 12,600ft to 12,700ft
Distance: 15 km
Walking Time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east,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 4,876 meters. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 meters. 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.

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite.

DAY 5: BARRANCO CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
Elevation (m): 3860m to 4600m
Elevation (ft): 12,700ft to 15,100ft
Distance: 13km
Hiking Time: 8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (4200m), and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue to the Barafu Hut. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA HUT
Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m)
Elevation (ft): 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to10,200ft)
Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent
Hiking Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit. 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 (5685m), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see(weather permitting). From Stella Point, you will encounter snow all they way on your 2-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak , we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa . Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Beer and soda may be available for purchase at the Mweka Hut -- the only location on this route.

DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP TO ARUSHA.
Elevation (m): 3100m to 1830m
Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 6000ft
Distance: 15 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
After breakfast, we 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). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village . A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Arusha. Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration! And then t ransfer to Arusha  for dinner and overnight.

Day 8: DEPARTURE
This day you will be picked up from the hotel in Arusha town and transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport in connection to your departure flight back home

* End of Our Services *

COSTS IN UNITED STATES DOLLARS:

* NOTE THAT: If you will add an extra day for acclimatization you will have to add US$172 per person