6 Day Machame Kilimanjaro hike

6 days—CLIMB THE HIGHEST POINT IN AfRICA VIA THE MACHAME ROUTE

$1450-1700 USD

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Safari summary

For those who only have six days to climb Kilimanjaro, Machame route is the best choice because of its acclimatization profile. Compared to other six day routes, the Machame route exposes the climber to higher elevations quicker (day three) which kickstarts the body's adaptation to altitude. However, this route requires that a person be in good shape to be able to tackle the challenging elevation gains and losses.The six day Machame variation is a difficult route. In particular, day four combined with day five makes for a very hard schedule. Day four is a full day of hiking from Barranco to Barafu. Then after dinner and a partial night's sleep, the very long and strenuous summit day begins around midnight. The 6 day Machame route requires 19-24 hours of demanding walking, at extremely high elevation, with only 4-6 hours of sleep.

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	Hiking \| trekking
	Activity level	Strenuous activity
	Best months	January, February, March, June, July, August, September, November, December
	Countries	Tanzania
	Parks	Kilimanjaro

What’s included?

Accommodation
Airport transfers
Meals
Park fees
Private vehicle and driver

What’s not included?

Internal flights
Laundry
Tips and gratuities
Visas

Itinerary

Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Kilimanjaro

Drive to Machame village. The climb begins at the end of the tarmac road. Walk through shambas then forest to the Machame hut (3010m, about 6 hours).

Camping

Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Kilimanjaro

Continue along the steep ridge going on to rock ridges and through heather. The route turns west into a river gorge, reaching Shira hut at 3845m, 5 hours.

Camping

Shira Cave to Barranco Camp

Kilimanjaro

Continue east towards Kibo passing the junction, then east towards the Lava Tower. Shortly after this, you descend to Barranco hut (3960m, 4 hours).

Camping

Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

Kilimanjaro

A short scramble to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley (4000m, 3 hours), beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. After climbing out of the Karanga Valley the trail ascends a ridge to the Barafu Hut, a bleak location with little vegetation at 4640m, (3 hours walking).

Camping

Barafu Camp to UHURU PEAK

Kilimanjaro

An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers, (4 hours); the last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. From here a further hour leads to Uhuru Peak, from where there are often fine views of Meru to the west and the jagged peak of Mawenzi to the east. Descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on down to camp at Mweka Hut.

Camping