8 day Climbing Adventure machame route

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you'll be greeted by a Morning Glory team member and transferred to your hotel, lodge, or hostel for an overnight stay. Meet your head guide for a thorough briefing, gear check, and equipment rental if needed.

Depart from Moshi with a 45-minute drive through the village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. After completing the necessary paperwork and obtaining permits, you'll start the trek through the lush rainforest. The trail can be muddy and slippery, making gaiters and trekking poles highly recommended. Enjoy the vibrant forest scenery and the local flora and fauna as your guide shares insights about the environment. The hike to Machame Camp, located at 3,021 meters (9,911 feet), typically takes 5-6 hours.

• Elevation: 1,811 meters (5,942 feet) to 3,021 meters (9,911 feet)

• Distance: 10.75 kilometers (7 miles)

• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

• Habitat: Rainforest

After a restful night and a hearty breakfast, you’ll leave the rainforest behind and begin a gradual ascent towards the Shira Plateau. The path crosses a steep rocky ridge before turning west along a river gorge. The trek to Shira Camp, situated at 3,839 meters (12,595 feet), will take around 4-5 hours. As you climb, temperatures begin to drop, and the landscape transitions to moorland.

• Elevation: 3,021 meters (9,911 feet) to 3,839 meters (12,595 feet)

• Distance: 5.3 kilometers (3 miles)

• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

• Habitat: Moorland

Today’s trek includes an important acclimatization hike. From Shira Camp, ascend east up a ridge, passing the junction towards Kibo Peak before continuing southeast to the Lava Tower, also known as the “Shark’s Tooth” (4,650 meters/15,250 feet). Following a visit to the tower, descend to Barranco Camp, situated at 3,986 meters (13,077 feet). This day’s trek involves varying terrain and will help with acclimatization.

• Elevation: 3,839 meters (12,595 feet) to 3,986 meters (13,077 feet)

• Distance: 10.75 kilometers (6 miles)

• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

• Habitat: Semi-Desert

After breakfast, tackle the Barranco Wall, a steep and challenging ascent that showcases the strength and agility of your support crew. The wall provides impressive views of the surrounding landscapes. Continue to the Karanga Valley and the junction with the Mweka Trail. The trek to Karanga Camp, located at 4,034 meters (13,235 feet), takes about 3-4 hours. The remainder of the day is spent relaxing and preparing for the upcoming summit attempt.

• Elevation: 3,986 meters (13,077 feet) to 4,034 meters (13,235 feet)

• Distance: 5.2 kilometers (3 miles)

• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

• Habitat: Alpine Desert

The trek today takes you from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp. The path ascends through the alpine desert, offering stunning views of Kilimanjaro’s summit from various angles. Barafu Camp, located at 4,662 meters (15,295 feet), marks the completion of the South Circuit. An early dinner and rest are essential as you prepare for the summit attempt. To aid acclimatization, consider taking an acclimatization hike towards Kosovo Camp (4,800 meters/15,748 feet) before returning to Barafu Camp for rest.

• Elevation: 4,034 meters (13,235 feet) to 4,662 meters (15,295 feet)

• Distance: 3.3 kilometers (2 miles)

• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

• Habitat: Alpine Desert

The summit day begins with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This challenging portion of the trek involves ascending through the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. The route takes a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction to reach Stella Point on the crater rim. Enjoy a magnificent sunrise here before continuing your ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters/19,341 feet). After taking photos and celebrating your achievement, begin your descent to Barafu Camp for lunch and a brief rest, then continue to Mweka Camp (3,106 meters/10,190 feet). The descent involves navigating loose gravel and volcanic ash, so gaiters and trekking poles are recommended.

• Elevation: 4,662 meters (15,295 feet) to 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) (Summit) and then down to 3,106 meters (10,190 feet)

• Distance: 4.86 kilometers (3 miles) up to the summit and 11.5 kilometers (7.2 miles) down

• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up, 5-6 hours down

• Habitat: Glaciers, Snow-Capped Summit, and Rainforest

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation with your crew, descend to Mweka Gate. The terrain is wet, muddy, and steep, making trekking poles and gaiters useful. At the gate, you’ll receive your summit certificate and then be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi. The drive to Moshi takes approximately 30 minutes.

• Elevation: 3,106 meters (10,190 feet) to 1,633 meters (5,358 feet)

• Distance: 9.1 kilometers (6 miles)

• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

• Habitat: Rainforest

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and any remaining free time to relax or explore Moshi. Check out by 11 a.m., and your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport will be arranged based on your flight schedule, concluding your memorable Kilimanjaro climbing expedition. We hope you had an unforgettable experience and look forward to welcoming you back soon!