7 Days Machame Route Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1. Day 2: MACHAME GATE TO MACHAME CAMP

   You will leave Machame gate (1,800 m) after you final preparation for the climb and start trekking through the rain forest (where tropical showers are highly probable) on a winding trail to the first camp, which is located to an attitude of 3, 048 meters. You continue a short distance until you reach Machame Hut 3000m. Your crews will make a camp and prepare the meal for you for overnight. This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you to read the following instructions from this point on • Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine • Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently) • Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness. Change in Elevation: Machame Gate (1,800 m), Machame Camp (3,010 m) Hiking distance: 5 km Hiking time: 5–6 hours

2. Day 3: MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP

   After breakfast, you leave Machame Camp and start trekking to the rain forest and continue on an ascending path to Shira Camp (3,845 m). Walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather and followed by a gentle incline. The trekking is not difficult, but you may see the changes in altitude. After lunch a descent and ascent brings you to the camp with a walking time approximately 5 hours. Note:The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness Change in Elevation: Machame Camp (3,010 m), Shira Camp (3,845 m) Hiking distance: 5 km Hiking time: 4–5 hours Acclimatization hike: Change in Elevation:Shira Camp (3,845 m), Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,120 m) Hiking distance: 2 km Hiking time: 1–2 hours ACCOMMODATION: Shira Camp Mt. Kilimanjaro

3. Day 4: SHIRA CAMP TO THE LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP

   From the Shira Camp (3,845 m), you continue to the east, passing the junction towards the key point of the route Lava Tower (4,630 m). The climb is for some 5kms and will take approximately 8 hours. As you continue, your direction this section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimatize to the altitude you have to spend at least 1-2 hours here, and here is where you will have lunch. Now you will descend to Barranco Camp at an altitude of 3,960 meters. Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and stiffness. Then the time to rest, enjoy dinner and overnight. Note:If one or more participants feel sick, the group may refrain from passing the Lava Tower and adjust the route, following instead the road for porters. In this case you will not reach an altitude of 4,630 meters, getting up only to a maximum of 4,400 meters. Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3,845 m), Lava Tower (4,630 m), Barranco Camp (3,960 m) Hiking distance: 11 km Hiking time: 6–8 hours

4. Day 5: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP

   Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of summiting Barranco Wall (we recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups, After the climb you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano. Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don’t worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered Hot lunch. After a couple of hours you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 300-meter gain in altitude, and then descent back down to the camp. Note:The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. Their help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness. Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp: Change in Elevation: Barranco Camp (3,960 m), Karanga Camp (4,035 m) Hiking distance: 5 km Hiking time: 4–5 hours Acclimatization hike: Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m), Destination point en route to Barafu Camp (4,270 m) Hiking distance: 2.5 km Hiking time: 1–2 hours ACCOMMODATION: Karanga Camp Mt. Kilimanjaro

5. Day 6: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

   In the morning after breakfast you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m), the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp (4,800 m) and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting. Trekking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp: Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m), Barafu Camp (4,640 m) Hiking distance: 6 km Hiking time: 4–5 hours Acclimatization hike: Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m), Kosovo Camp (4,800 m) Hiking distance: 2 km Hiking time: 1–2 hours ACCOMMODATION: Barafu Camp Mt. Kilimanjaro

6. Day 7: BARAFU CAMP TO UHURU (SUMMIT) TO MILLENNIUM CAMP

   At the night you will Departure from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) and start summiting Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Simply the climb is relatively simple; though, the most challenging part is the high altitude where each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your physical and mental conditions. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if you wish. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and after a 2-hour rest continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m). Note:Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails. Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m), Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), Millennium Camp (3,820 m) Hiking distance: 15 km Hiking time: 8–12 hours ACCOMMODATION: Millennium Camp Mt. Kilimanjaro

7. Day 8: MILLENNIUM CAMP TO MWEKA GATE

   When you wake up at the camp you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a breakfast, you will start descending to the park’s exit: Mweka gate (1,650 m). Here the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, you will be presented with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you a transfer back to the hotel. Change in Elevation: Millennium Camp (3,820 m), Mweka Gate (1,650 m) Hiking distance: 12 km Hiking time: 4–5 hour ACCOMMODATION: Planet Lodge Arusha

8. Day 9: Departures

   After getting some rest and refreshment at the hotel, your driver guide will take you to the airport ready for your flight back home.