Climb Kilimanjaro Machame Route 6 Days

Code: GBDFVD
6 DAYS - 5 NIGHTS
Category:
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  • umbwe-route-climb-6-days

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!

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION The hotel you will be staying in Arusha or Moshi
DEPARTURE TIME Please arrive at least 2 hours before the flight
INCLUDED
  • Park fees, (entry fee camping/hut fees & rescue fees crew fees)
  • 18% VAT on tour fees & services
  • Three healthy and fresh meals
  • Professional and experienced mountain Guide
  • Professional and experienced cooks
  • Transportation to & from the airport
  • Transportation to & from the mountain gates
  • Enough 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)
  • Radio and cell phone communication helps us to stay in contact within and outside the group therefore 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 on acclimatization progress
  • Assistance with climbing permit procedure
NOT INCLUDED
  • Personal porters
  • 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 such 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

What to Expect

  • You will be able to see Mount Kilimanjaro every day.
  • Natural acclimatization as you will climb high, and sleep low.
  • Enjoy the evergreen rainforest.
  • Climb the famous Barranco wall.
  • Breath-taking views of Moshi town, waterfalls, and the valleys.
  • Great singing and dancing from our crew.

ITINERARY

IN BRIEF

Hike Distance – 39miles / 63 km
Vertical Gain – 16,628ft / 5068m
Drop – 17,153ft / 5228m
Trekking Time – 45 hours

IN DETAIL

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 the 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 acclimatization 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 the 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 a Travelcation Africa Safaris Representative to congratulate you, find out how the trip went, and answer any final questions you may have about your onward journey.

END OF YOUR 6 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route 

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