7-Day Kilimanjaro Small-Group Trekking via Machame Route

river and taken to the Salinero hotel in the slope of Kilimanjaro on the outskirts of Moshi. The rest of the day will be at leisure and you can either relax at the hotel or explore the town of Moshi (taxi required). In the evening you will attend a briefing in preparation for the upcoming trek. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

While your guide is busy with the registration forms, you can watch the mountain team prepare for the climb and once this is all done, your Kilimanjaro adventure will begin. In no time you will be deep within the magnificent mountain rainforest with ancient trees, primaeval ferns, liana, lichen and moss that carpets the ground and drapes from the trees. You will hear and with a little luck, even spot the beautiful black and white colobus monkeys in the treetops. After 5 to 6 hours, you will reach today’s destination – the Machame Camp which is situated just above the tree line. Here, at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro, you will have your first dinner followed by an overnight stay in tents.

The landscape changes into heath and moorland and the open landscape allows you to see the impressive mountain range. Today’s stage is shorter than the previous day and you will arrive at the New Shira Camp by mid-afternoon. The camp has a breath-taking view of the mountain and during sunset, the evening sun lights the rock face and glacier of Kibo.

This will allow your body to acclimatise as a height of over 4,500 m will be reached over the next two days. The trek begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower. The vegetation becomes sparser as the landscape changes to an afro-alpine desert. The route passes through the sweeping Barranco Valley with its lobelia and giant Senecio plants. After 6 to 7 hours, you will arrive at the most beautiful camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp.

Safety is paramount and your guides will assist you wherever necessary. Following the ridge, as it traverses up and down, you can enjoy the splendid views of the south glacier of Kibo. In the Karanga Valley, you will have lunch, followed by a 2 to 3 hours climb to Barafu Camp. Once at the camp, you can relax, have dinner and call it an early night.

By torchlight, you will climb the screes of Kibo. After 5 to 7 hours of ascending in the dark, you will arrive at Stella Point (5,730 m), the crater rim of Mt Kilimanjaro. Another 1 to 2 hours climb along the crater ridge will lead you to Uhuru Peak. Here you will see Kilimanjaro in all its glory, enjoying the 360° view over the landscape below as the sun rises. You are now standing on the “Roof of Africa”. The simple descent runs almost along the same route and shortly before midday, you should arrive at Barafu Camp, where the porters and the cook will be waiting for you. After a warm meal and a well-deserved break of approximately 1 to 2 hours, you will be on your way down to Mweka Camp where supper and a well-earned rest await you.

By torchlight, you will climb the screes of Kibo. After 5 to 7 hours of ascending in the dark, you will arrive at Stella Point (5,730 m), the crater rim of Mt Kilimanjaro. Another 1 to 2 hours climb along the crater ridge will lead you to Uhuru Peak. Here you will see Kilimanjaro in all its glory, enjoying the 360° view over the landscape below as the sun rises. You are now standing on the “Roof of Africa”. The simple descent runs almost along the same route and shortly before midday, you should arrive at Barafu Camp, where the porters and the cook will be waiting for you. After a warm meal and a well-deserved break of approximately 1 to 2 hours, you will be on your way down to Mweka Camp where supper and a well-earned rest await you.