6 days kilimanjaro climb machame route
Machame 6 Day via Stella Point (M7S)
WHY THIS ITINERARY?
Generally, we recommend the 7-day version of this route as it affords more time to acclimatize. This 6 Days Mt
Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route is for very fit people who want a challenge ONLY. The advantage of this route over the
Umbwe 6 Day or Rongai 6 Day Routes is crossing the Shira Plateau and still seeing a large portion of the national park.
Also, it is easier to access and so actually a better value trip as well
DESCRIPTION
This is a 6 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route hike starting at Machame Gate, ascending through Afromontane forest
and then into the heath zone and onto the edge of the remnants of the Shira volcano. The route then circumnavigates the
main peak, Kibo, anticlockwise passing some spectacular features such as giant steps and glacial valleys. The key
difference between the 7 and 6-day versions of this route is that the 6-day hike misses a night camping at Karanga Camp.
This means the hiking section from Barranco to Base Camp is long and the time to rest before your summit bid is short.
This means if you do not acclimatize well or are unfit, this is very tough. The final ascent is from the Barafu camp. It
is a nighttime ascent to Uhuru Peak via Stella Point. The descent is via the Mweka route.
HIGHLIGHTS
Kilimanjaro: Afromontane forest, Shira plateau, glacial valleys and alpine desert, views of Mawenzi, the ascent of Kibo,
and possible views of Kibo caldera and ash pit. Glaciers and the roof of Africa!
ITINERARY
IN BRIEF
Hike Distance – 39miles / 63 km
Vertical Gain – 16,628ft / 5068m
Drop – 17,153ft / 5228m
Trekking Time – 45 hours
DAY 1 – MACHAME CAMP
START – 5,906FT / 1800M
END – 9,302FT / 2835M
DISTANCE – 7 MILES / 11KM
TIME – 5-7 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast, you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate, your crew finalizes packing and after
finishing with formalities you start hiking from Machame Gate. Today’s hiking is through verdant Afromontane forest and
is steep in places. A picnic lunch is taken on the trail during the hike before reaching Machame Camp for the night.
DAY 2 – SHIRA
START – 9,302FT / 2835M
END – 12,304FT / 3750M
DISTANCE – 3 MILES / 5KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – AFROMONTANE FOREST / HEATH
From Machame camp you hike to Shira Camp. The first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly but you
will still make it to your next camp in time for a hot lunch. The zone you pass into today is known as the heath zone
where attractive helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava
tubes to glacial valleys.
DAY 3 – BARRANCO CAMP
START – 12,304FT / 3750M
END – 12,796FT / 3900M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 6-8 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT
Today is a “walk high sleep low” day. You ascend into alpine desert to Lava Tower (Alt: 15,092ft, 4600m) where lunch is
taken before descending to Barranco Camp. This is a long day but note that the next time you head to this altitude is at
base camp – a great acclimatisation day!
DAY 4 – BARAFU
START – 12,796FT / 3900M
END – 15,332FT / 4673M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 9KM
TIME – 6-8 HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT, HEATH
From Barranco camp, famous for its’ giant groundsels (Senecio species), you ascend the Barranco wall and hike glacial
valleys to Karanga camp. Lunch is taken at Karanga valley before heading to Barafu in the afternoon. Desolate alpine
desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet in the evening, splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm.
A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the evening. Overnight Barafu Camp. Alt 4,600m,15,092ft
(full board).
DAY 5 – KILIMANJARO SUMMIT / MWEKA CAMP
START – 15,332FT / 4673M
END – 10,171FT / 3100M
DISTANCE – 11 MILES / 18KM
TIME – 14-16 HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT, ARCTIC, HEATH
Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence are the name of game to reach
the summit (Uhuru Peak: 19341ft, 5895m) and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the
rim. Ascending via Stella Point (Alt: 18,865ft, 5750m) affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof
of Africa! What goes up must come down, however. The first stage is to get back to our base camp for a quick change of
clothes and refuel before the long hike downhill to Mweka Camp. The downhill is hard on the knees and walking poles at
this stage are highly recommended. You should reach Mweka Camp before dusk for your final night on the mountain.
DAY 6 – ARUSHA
START – 10,171FT / 3100M
END – 5,381FT / 1640M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 3-4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST
After breakfast you descend once again through Afromontane forest and around midday, after lunch, diplomats collection
and saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well-deserved shower! Later
that evening you will be visited by Issy adventures Representative to congratulate you, to find out how the trip went,
and to answer any final questions you may have about your onward journey.
END OF YOUR 6 Days Machame Route
Included services
- *Park fees, (entry fee camping/hut fees & rescue fees crew fees)
- *18% VAT on tour fees & services
- *Three health and fresh meals
- *Professional and experienced mountain Guide
- *Professional and experienced cooks.
- *Transportation to & from the airport
- *Transportation to & from the mountain gates
- *Enough number of porters for your luggage, food, water, and camping equipment.
- *Food, shelters, and fair wages for the porters, cooks, and guides
- *Camping gears (sleeping tents, dining tents, tables, chairs, and cooking gear)
- *we can respond almost instantaneously to whatever issue that may arise
- *We provide our guides with professional first aids kits and pulse oximeters for daily
updates of acclimatization progress Assistance with climbing permit procedure.
Excluded services
- *All international and domestic flights
- *Tourist Visas
- *Medical and Travel insurance
- *Tips to mountain crew
- *Mountain trekking gears e.g. walking poles (available for hire upon request)
- *Sleeping Bag (available for hire upon request)
- *A portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra (US$200 per toilet + toilet tent)
- *Others; Extra expenses as food or drinks separate from those described in the
itinerary, satellite phone calls, transference fees, and other services not specified as
included.
- *Any other alterations to our itineraries
- *Emergency Oxygen.
