The best Ultimate in 7 days machame Kilimanjaro Climbing
Day by day itinerary
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation: 1,800m/5,905ft to 3,000m/9,843ft
Distance: 11 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
You will begin your journey at the Machame Gate, where you will register and start the hike through the lush rainforest to reach Machame Camp.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation: 3,000m/9,843ft to 3,840m/12,600ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
The trail gets steeper and leads you out of the rainforest, offering splendid views. You will continue to the Shira Plateau and camp at Shira Camp.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3,840m/12,600ft to 4,630m/15,190ft to 3,950m/12,960ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert
This day is important for acclimatization as you hike to the Lava Tower, before descending to Barranco Camp. You might experience some symptoms of altitude sickness.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 3,950m/12,960ft to 4,200m/13,780ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
You will climb the Barranco Wall, an impressive cliff, then hike over ridges and valleys to reach Karanga Camp. This is a relatively short day designed for acclimatization.
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4,200m/13,780ft to 4,670m/15,330ft
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
You will continue on a short but steep trail through the alpine desert to reach Barafu Camp. This is the last camp before the summit attempt.
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4,670m/15,330ft to 5,895m/19,341ft to 3,068m/10,065ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles ascent + 12 km/7 miles descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent + 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic
You will start your final ascent around midnight to reach the summit, Uhuru Peak, at sunrise. After enjoying the summit, you will descend to Mweka Camp for your last night on the mountain.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 3,068m/10,065ft to 1,640m/5,380ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
On your final day, you will descend through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you will receive your summit certificates. A vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Moshi or Arusha.
This 7-day itinerary allows for better acclimatization and increases the chances of a successful summit.
Inclusions
All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
Sleeping Mattress
Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
All meals while on the Mountain
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Clean, purified drinking water
Conservation fees (part of park fees)
Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
Rescue fees (part of park fees)
VAT (18% charged by the Government)
Kilimanjaro summit certificate
Exclusions
Tanzania Visa
International and domestic flights
Hotel (available as an optional addon)
Transfers (available as an optional addon)
Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
Tips and gratuities
Travel insurance
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
