Day 1 : Machame Gate (1800m) – Machame Camp (2980m)

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be driven to Machame Village. From the village, depending on road conditions, either continue for 3 kilometers or walk to Machame Gate (1800 m). Once you reach the park gate, report to the park office and final preparations for the climb will begin. Your accompanying porters will arrange the luggage. They load the groceries, water, cooking gas, camping gear and most of your gear, allowing each porter to carry a maximum weight of 20kg.

You then begin your ascent into the rainforest. Expect rain, mud and fog during this 18km section of the trek. Keep an eye out for wildlife too, including colobus monkeys! About halfway you will stop for lunch and arrive at Machame Camp (2980) in the late afternoon or early evening. On average you need 7 hours for the ascent. The porters and cook, moving very quickly up the mountain, reach the camp in front of you and set up your tents, boil drinking water and prepare snacks for your arrival. Temperatures can drop to freezing overnight in the mountains, so be prepared!

Day 2 : Machame Route 6 Days – Machame Camp (3000m) – Shira Cave Camp (3750m)

After breakfast, you start your 6-hour ascent. You leave the rainforest and enter the heathland vegetation. You will cross many streams on your 9-kilometre hike and hike over a rocky ridge on the Shira Plateau to Shira Cave Camp (3750m). From this campground, you have spectacular views of the Western Breach and its glaciers to the east. Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up before arriving at the camp and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks and then a dinner prepared by our chef.

Day 3 : Shira (at 3750m) – Lava Tower (at 4600m) – Barranco Camp (at 3950m)

Today you leave the moorland and enter the semi-desert and rocky landscape. After 5 hours of walking east, you will face the Lava Tower (4630 m). Packed lunches are served at the tower, and hikers have the opportunity to climb the massive lava tower, weather permitting. At this point in the trek, it is normal for you to start feeling the effects of altitude, including headaches and shortness of breath. After lunch, descend from Lava Tower (4630m) to Barranco Campsite (3950m). The 6800m descent offers hikers a great advantage as it allows their bodies to adapt to high altitude conditions. The descent to the camp takes about 2 hours. It lies in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall (“Breakfast Wall”). Dinner will be served while you watch the sunset.

Day 4 : Barranco Camp (3950m) – Barafu Camp (4673m)

After breakfast, it’s now time to conquer the Great Barranco Wall! Although it may seem intimidating at first, hikers state that this Grade 2 hike is usually much easier than expected. At the top of the wall, you have a view of Heim Glacier and you are above the clouds. The trail then meanders up and down the Karanga Valley, making it an ideal day for acclimatization hiking. You need about 4 to 5 hours for the 5-kilometre hike.
If you have problems with the altitude, there is the possibility of an additional acclimatization day at Karanga Camp. Here it is advisable to book the 7-day tour.
The word “barafu” in Swahili means “ice” and this camp is located on a rocky, exposed ridge. Tents will be exposed to wind and rocks, so it is important for hikers to familiarize themselves with the campsite before dark. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!

Day 5 : Summit Attempt
Barafu camp (4673m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)

Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 7-8 hours to descend to Mweka
Distance: Approximately 7 kilometre ascent and 23 kilometre descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Your guide will wake you around 12:00 mid-night, for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt.

Day 6 : Mweka camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1980m)

Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometres
Habitat: Forest

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. After celebrating, you will descend for three hours back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who have reached Stella Point (5685 m) receive green certificates and hikers who have reached Uhuru Peak (5895 m) receive gold certificates. After receiving the certificates, descend to the village of Mweka for approximately 1 hour (3 km). You will be served a hot lunch, then drive back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.