7 Days Machame Route

Walking distance: 11 km/7 miles

Walking time: 5-7 hours

Altitude gain: 1,490 m/4,890 ft

After breakfast, we will depart from our hotel at approximately 8:30 AM for the Machame village with a Lunch box for you to sporadically bite on you trek. From the park entrance gate (Machame), you will walk for about two to three hours trek through a dense forest of fig and rubber trees, begonia flowers, and other tropical vegetation. A stop for lunch will be made halfway to this evening’s campsite. As you continue your ascent, you will find that the tropical forest has given way to tall grasses and giant heather. You will be walking on a ridge, to the left of which is the Semira stream, and on the right, the Weru.

Walking distance: 9 km/5.5 miles

Walking time: 4-6 hours

Altitude gain: 860 m/2,820 ft

On this and subsequent mornings, wake-up call is at around 6:00 AM. You will be greeted with a steaming cup of tea or coffee, and weather permitting, by a fabulous view of Uhuru peak. Today’s trek takes you up a steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, volcanic rock, and bearded heather. You will encounter giant groundsels as you hike through a ghostly landscape of volcanic lava, caves, and foamy streams. Lunch will be taken just below the Shira Plateau, about three to four hours from Shira Camp. The hike to the next campsite takes approximately six hours and you should arrive between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Most climbers tend to pace themselves, walking slowly and resting about every half-hour. On arrival in camp, there is time to relax and even so for an acclimatization hike with your guides before dinner.

Overnight :Shira Camp (FB)

Walking distance: 15 km/9.3 miles

Walking time: 7-9 hours

Altitude gain: 10 m/360 ft (680 m/2,230 ft to Lava Tower)

The entire Shira Plateau greets you this morning with sweeping vistas across to Meru and the Shira Needles. A steady walk takes you up to the pass at Lava Tower (15,000 ft), where you stop to have lunch. Crossing the Bastain stream, you will begin to descend towards Barranco Camp. Descending takes you along an immense canyon called the Great Barranco. Along the way, you will see numerous waterfalls, which are fed, by streams coming from the mountain, converging here to form the Umbwe River. Your camp is set at almost the same altitude as the night before. Today is a full day trek and you will feel very tired. Arrival at camp is between 4:30PM and 5:30PM.

Overnight: Barranco Camp (FB)

Walking distance: 5.8 km/3.4 miles

Walking time: 4-5 hours

Altitude gain: 55 m/185 ft

This morning you begin your hike to Karanga Camp, which is on the same altitude as Barranco Camp. You will encounter a bit of a climb at Barranco wall and spend the rest of the trek climbing up and down the slopes of the mountain most of the way to camp. Climbing is not considered difficult and you should arrive in time for lunch (approximately 1:00PM) having trekked for about four – five hours. In the afternoon you will have an opportunity to hike in the Karanga Valley where giant senecios and lobelia grows. However, you are well advised to rest as much as you possibly can to prepare you for the climb ahead.

Overnight: Karanga Camp (FB)

Walking distance : 3.5 km/ 2.2 miles

Walking time : 4-5 hours

Altitude gain : 510 m/1,675 ft

The scenic climb to Barafu is mostly on a moraine and lava ridge with a view of Mawenzi peak towering majestically to the right, and overhead, Kibo peak seemingly just out of reach. The alpine desert terrain encountered at this point is mostly a mineral environment with few lichens and mosses. Lunch is taken in camp and in the afternoon there is a summit clothing check. Climbers who choose to ascend the peak will go to bed very early this night, as the next day is the longest one.

Overnight: Barafu Camp (FB)

You will be awakened at midnight and after a light breakfast, start climbing at around 12 midnight. It is at this stage that the climb becomes much more tough. Climbers should carry as little as possible on this portion of the climb. Temperatures will range from -4° to 5° Fahrenheit. You will climb for about six hours before reaching the edge of the crater, Stella points. Another hour of climbing brings you to the summit.

Uhuru stands at 19,340 feet and is the highest point on the continent of Africa. The track around the edge of the crater is rocky and often icy. Concentrate on your feet, and follow your guide very closely for this portion of the journey. The descent is no easier than the ascent. You will reach Barafu camp after about three hours (around 11:30 AM). Climbers will be given the opportunity to rest and have some refreshments before continuing on to Mweka Camp for the night. Arriving into camp at around 5:00PM, you will have trekked a total of thirteen to seventeen hours today.

Overnight: Mweka Camp (FB)