Machame Route — 6 Days

Machame Route — 6 Days · 6 days

Package Overview

Machame's scenery changes almost every day, from rainforest to moorland, the Shira Plateau and the glaciers of the southern icefields. The six-day version follows the same route as our seven-day climb but combines Barranco and Karanga into one day, going straight on to Barafu base camp. It suits fit trekkers who have been to altitude before; if this is your first high mountain, we recommend the seven-day Machame or a Lemosho itinerary.

Highlights

• Rainforest, moorland, alpine desert and glaciers in one climb
• "Climb high, sleep low" via Lava Tower
• The Barranco Wall scramble
• Descent on the quiet Mweka trail

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 • Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Machame Camp

Register at Machame Gate (1,800 m) and climb through thick rainforest to Machame Camp (3,000 m) at the forest edge.

Day 1 Accommodation, Machame Camp Meal Plan: Full board

Day 2 • Machame Camp to Shira Camp

A steep climb through heather and volcanic rock brings you onto the Shira Plateau and Shira Cave Camp (3,840 m), with Kibo close above.

Day 2 Accommodation, Shira Camp Meal Plan: Full board

Day 3 • Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

Climb to the base of Lava Tower (4,630 m) for acclimatization, then drop into the Barranco Valley and its giant groundsels to camp at 3,950 m.

Day 3 Accommodation, Barranco Camp Meal Plan: Full board

Day 4 • Barranco Camp over the Barranco Wall to Barafu Camp

Scramble up the Barranco Wall, cross the Karanga Valley and continue up to Barafu Camp (4,645 m), base camp for the summit.

Note: A long day. Early dinner and rest before the midnight start.

Day 4 Accommodation, Barafu Camp Meal Plan: Full board

Day 5 • Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, descend to Mweka Camp

Uhuru Peak, sunrise

Climb through the night to Stella Point on the crater rim and on to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) for sunrise, then descend to Mweka Camp (3,100 m).

Day 5 Accommodation, Mweka Camp Meal Plan: Full board

Day 6 • Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

A last walk down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,640 m) for your summit certificates and the drive back to your hotel.