A great value option, offering fantastic acclimatization and scenic views on the way up and down this circular route.
This popular itinerary takes you the exact same route as the 7 day but at a slightly faster pace. If you are fit, healthy, have trekking experience and are up for a challenge then this one’s for you. The route itself, with its ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ still gives you a great chance for acclimatization.
Day 1: Start: Machame Gate (1828m) Finish: Machame Camp (3020m)
Pick up from your accommodation at 8am and drive to the Machame Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park (approximately 45 min drive from Moshi town). Here we will process your park fees and the fees for the crew before you will start your ascent. Day 1 trekking takes you through the montane forest ecosystem of the national park- your guide will show you a variety of fauna and flora including a high chance of seeing the Black and White colobus monkey. You will reach the camp between 35pm (you will always be able to go at your own pace so the time varies!) where you will be welcomed with hot water for washing and a nice cup of tea! If you have time and energy there is the option to do a short hike, which offers you extra acclimatization, to a point 100m higher from the camp before returning to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Start: Machame Camp (3020m) Finish: Shira Camp (3850m)
This day’s hiking time is much shorter as it is a much steeper route. Following breakfast at 7:30am you will start your heading out of the forest and heading into the moorland area of the national park. From here you can have a great view of your summit so far and even Mt Meru on a clear day. After a short break for lunch you will start to ascend the undulating rocky ridge of the Shira plateau. Once reaching camp you will again be welcomed by your team of porters and chef with hot water before dinner and overnight. Optional extra 30min hike to Shira Camp 2 (100m extra altitude) where you can see evidence of buffalos that previously came to find calcium here and have a great view of the Shira cathedral (where the 3rd peak of the mountain collapsed millions of years ago).
Day 3: Start: Shira Camp (3850m) Finish: Barranco Camp (3980m) via Lava Tower Rock (4600m)
Following breakfast you will leave camp to start your ascent to the Lava Tower Rock. We won’t fib, this will be quite a tough hike and may be the first time you experience altitude sickness due to the higher elevation. It gives you a good opportunity to adjust to the climate at this altitude and the great thing is that, following lunch at the big rock, you get to descend down to Barranco Camp where you will have dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3980m) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
Rise at 7:30am for breakfast and then head for a little challenge as you climb up what has been nicknamed the ‘breakfast rock’. It’s all worth it though as at the top of this rock you can have a great view to Kibo peak and its magnificent glaciers, whilst at the same time in the other direction you’ll be able to see Mt Meru. With many increase and decreases in elevation you will pass the valley which marks the last point for water passing on the Machame route. Head back up the valley to Karanga camp where you can stop for lunch and a short break. On your way to Barafu camp you will pass over the alpine forest and volcanic rocks from previous explosions where you will be able to view the entire landscape of the mountain. You will arrive at Barafu camp around 5pm for dinner and then rest up and get some sleep in preparation for your summit night! Although warmer during the day, the Barafu or ‘ice’ camp really lives up to its name once the sun goes down.
Summit Night: Your friendly guide will give you a warm wakeup call at approximately 11pm (depending how well you have fared so far you may get up earlier or later!). From here you will start your ascent to the summit. This is the final push to the top and so your guide will take you at a much slower pace compared to your trekking the previous days, to make sure you have the best chance of getting to the peak, giving your body time to cope with the high altitude. Once you reach Stella Point at 5735m you really have almost made it- only another 45 minutes until you will find yourself at Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. Enjoy your time here, take in what will surely be your most memorable sunrise and celebrate with your guide.
Day 5: Summit (5895m) to Mweka Camp (3080m)
From the summit you will descend back down to Barafu Camp where you will be welcomed by the rest of the crew and enjoy a short break and breakfast. Here you can have a nap for a couple of hours if you wish and depending on the time you arrive. From Barafu Camp you will make your way down to Mweka Camp, passing from desert to moorland terrain. You will reach Mweka Camp at approximately 5pm. There’s always a great atmosphere at camp this night – the hard work is over and now you can pat yourself on the back! Celebrations won’t go on for too long as you will no doubt want to head into the tent early.
Day 6: Mweka Camp (3080m) to Mweka Gate (1800m)
Passing through the montane forest, similar to your first day trekking, you will make your way down to Mweka Gate, stopping to watch the monkeys and spot turaco birds or hornbills. Upon reaching the gate you will sign out and exit Kilimanjaro National Park. From here you will be picked up by our company transport and transferred back to our office in town where you will be presented with your certificate before returning to your hotel for a well-deserved rest (massages can be arranged)!
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