Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Day 1: Machame Gate (1,815 m) to Machame Camp (3,000m)

Leave Arusha early and head towards Machame Gate. Walk for about an hour into the forest on 4x4 track before continuing up into the forest. Listen out for exotic birds in the canopy and keep an eye open for any monkey as they navigate the forest floor. The trek is roughly 7 miles and not very steep, it'll take anywhere from 5 to 7 hours to reach the first camp. Machame Camp sits in the heather zone, from here you can see the jagged Shira Ridge and mountain summit. 

Day 2: Machame camp (3,000m) to Shira Camp (3,840m)

wake up to an early breakfast and begin up the steep track through the giant trees of heather. Here, there are incredible view of the Western Breach and the glaciers of Uhuru Peak. Scramble over large boulders as you enter thr mootland zone, marked by volcanic rocks and wildlflowers. Reach camp after descending into a small valley over a brook, before rising again to Shira Ridge after about 4 to 5 hours of trekking.

Day 3: Shira Camp (3,840m) to Barranco Camp (3,950m)

Proceed upwards over ridgeline of desrt for about 4 hours before breaking for lunch at 4,420m. Continue on to Lava Tower, a 300ft tall volcanic plug at 4,600m. Spend the afternoon descending into the Great Barranco Valley. The camp here is set on a flat, enclosed area, with hanging glaicers above and Giant Lobelia;s all around. The total trekking time for today is 6 to 7 hours.

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,950m) to Barafu Camp (4,630m)

The day begins ascendning the steep Barranco Wall before a 3 to 4 hour trek and lunch in the Karanga Valley. The afternoon trail is steadily uphill - the temperature drops and the landscape becomes more barren as you reach Barafu Camp. Set on a small exposed area of a ridfe, its the acting base from where you will climb the summut at midnight tonight. Eat and drink all you like before some rest. 

Day 5: Barafu camp & Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3,110m)

Start the day at midnight with a hot drink and a wake up call before embarking on a juggernaut 12 to 17 hours of trekking. Begin at 12:30am and finish at 1am. The temperature sits at well below freezing before dawn on the summut. The paths are windt and take shape amonsts the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers. Behind you the spired of the Mawenzi will glow with the sun illuminating them. After 6 hours of walking, arrive at the Stella Point, the edge of the crater at 5,790m. This is the end of the steep track. From here, there is only a gentle slop upwards for an hour to Uhuru Peak. After spending some time at the summit, descend back to Barafu Camp to rest for a while, and then descend once more to Mweka Camp for the night.

Day 6: Mweka Camp (3,110m) to Mweka Gate (1,830m)

It'll take 2 to 3 hours to descend directly to Mweka Gate, where you'll have lunch before being awarded with climbing certificates to mark your incredible accomplishment. Afterwards, continue on with your African adventure.