MACHAME ROUTE 8 DAYS & 7 NIGHTS (6 DAYS ON TREK)
Machame is a beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. With a lovely gradual ascent through forest you emerge to see wide views of the moorland on Shira Plateau, Kibo and Western Breach. Machame is a little less popular than the Marangu route, a bit more popular for those who like climbing.
Itinerary is as follows.
Day 1
You arrive at your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay
Day 2
Transfer from your hotel to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate at Machame. From here you trek through the lush forest to Machame Hut (10,000ft/3000m). Stay/Camp overnight
Day 3
Leaving the forest, the path follows a steep ridge, passing through heather and open moorlands, and crossing a large gorge to reach Shira Hut (12,500ft/3800m). Stay/Camp overnight.
Day 4
You turn eastwards and continue ascending through the dry landscape before dropping again to reach Barranco Hut (13,000ft/3900m). Stay/Camp overnight.
Day 5
The path climbs steeply out of the Barranco Valley, crosses the Karanga Valley,then turns north to reach Barafu Hut (15,500ft/4600m). Stay overnight.
Day 6
A long day and an early start to rach the crater rim at Stella Point in time for sunrise. Then to Uhuru Peak (19,340ft/5896m) - the highest point in Africa.
Afterwards descend to Mweka Hut (10,300ft/3100m). Stay overnight
Day 7
Descend to the park gate, from where you are transferred back to your hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 8
Breakfast at hotel