Kilimanjaro Trekking: Machame Route

After your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you are greeted by our driver and taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Relax a little at your hotel or take a trip to the nearby safari capital of Arusha (taxi required). During the day, participants meet at the hotel for a detailed briefing and equipment check.

After a hearty breakfast, the short transfer to Machame Gate takes place in the morning. From here you begin your Kilimanjaro climb. Your guide takes care of registration and explains once more in a short briefing how the coming days will be tackled. Afterwards you start the trek to the first camp. Through dense, lush montane rainforest you soon reach the tree line. Tonight you stay in a tent at Machame Camp at an altitude of 3,010 m.

After the first night on the mountain and a relaxed breakfast, a somewhat easier stage through heath and moorland landscapes awaits you today. To the east, Kibo rises majestically, and to the west, with a little luck, you have the chance to see the “little brother” of Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru. You spend tonight at Shira Camp at an altitude of 3,845 m. Weather permitting, you have perfect conditions from here to experience an unforgettable sunset: the summit bathed in the red light of the setting sun. Overnight stay in a tent.

Today is for active acclimatisation, to increase your chances of reaching the summit. The first signs of Kilimanjaro’s alpine zone can already be seen on your ascent to Lava Tower at an altitude of 4,640 m. Once there, you spend a little time at altitude to get your body used to it. Afterwards you descend again into Barranco Valley. Here you will find many senecios and lobelias, which characterise this area. Tonight you stay at the most beautiful camp of your Kilimanjaro climb along the Machame Route. Barranco Camp lies just below the 4,000 m mark, at 3,960 m.

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

The fourth day of the Kili climb is marked by its ups and downs. Just half an hour after setting off from camp, the biggest challenge of the day stands in your way – the Great Barranco Wall. Your hands are the most important tool here, as you have to hold on at one spot or another. Our experienced mountain crew is of course on hand with helpful tips and tricks and is happy to lend a hand. Once the wall is conquered, you continue through several small gorges up a seemingly endless ridge. You reach Barafu Camp at an altitude of 4,640 m after a walk of about 7 hours. Your cook immediately prepares a fortifying dinner here, which will replenish your energy reserves. Overnight stay in a tent.

Now it is here, the day of decision. Around midnight you set off on the decisive summit stage. The goal is Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m for unforgettable photos at the summit sign as the sun rises. Stella Point at 5,730 m is the first target, which you reach over frozen volcanic ash and scree. From here, a strong will and perseverance are required to reward yourself with the summit photo at Uhuru Peak. You are now standing at the highest point in Africa with a breathtaking panoramic view of the African continent. After the roughly 7-hour ascent, the descent to Barafu Camp follows promptly, where the kitchen crew is already waiting with a delicious and well-earned hot soup. After refreshing yourself, you set off on the final 5- to 6-hour stage to Mweka Hut, where you spend one last night in a tent.

After yesterday’s long and strenuous summit day, you reach Mweka Gate today in 3–4 hours. Here you say goodbye to your loyal mountain crew and are taken back to the hotel. After the long-awaited hot shower, you can celebrate your summit success at length.

After breakfast and check-out, you continue your individual travel programme or receive a transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport.