This 6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Hike is More physically demanding but yet the most beautiful and scenic route.
Mount Kilimanjaro Hike Highlights
- Day 1: Arusha to Machame Gate – Machame Camp
- Day 2: Transfer to Shira Camp
- Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
- Day 5: Barafu camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp
- Day 6: Mweka camp – Mweka Gate
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Machame Gate – Machame Camp
After an early breakfast at your hotel in Arusha, you will be picked up and driven to the Machame Village. Here you will receive your packed lunch and also buy some mineral water.
Depart the village and drive to the Machame gate office for registration, after which you will start your ascent to the top of the tallest mountain on the African continent. Machame route is quit scenic, so take time to enjoy the vegetation and views around you. The road gets muddy and slippery, so trekking poles and gaiters are the way to go.
Halfway the trek, you will have a short break to relax and enjoy your lunch. Thereafter, proceed to the Machame camp, arriving in the evening. Tents already set up for you by the porters who would have arrived before you, warm water ready and the chef preparing your meal. Settle in and relax in your tents and replenish for tomorrow. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 2: Transfer to Shira Camp
Cold morning it is. After your early morning breakfast, you will leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge with stunning views. Just below the Shira Plateau, you will have a short break to have your lunch. Continue your ascent to reach the Shira Plateau which provides rewarding views of the mountain and Kibo glaciers. In a few hours, you will be at the Shira Camp, arriving in the mid-afternoon. This will give you enough time to relax and rest for the next day. Enjoy the landscape views around you as the night closes in. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Wake up to a hot cup of tea / coffee and beautiful views of the Shira plateau. Continue your ascent to the East, then head South East towards the Lava Tower, a distinctive landmark on this day. Stop for your lunch and a little rest after which you will descend gradually to Barranco camp. Passing through different vegetation zones, you will finally reach the beautiful Barranco Camp, set at the same altitude as the previous night. The time spent today at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization, preparing you for summit day. The camp is set in a valley close to the Great Barranco Wall. Great views. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
Wake up to sight of the great Barranco Wall, your obstacle for today. Have your breakfast and make your way up this beautiful steep but doable climb. Slowly but surely does the trick here, no technical experience needed. Reaching the top in about 1-2 hours, you will cross a series of hills and valleys until you descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more climb and you are at Karanga camp, stop for lunch and a mini break before you continue to Barafu “ice” camp.
At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. The summit is now a further 1,345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Last camp to the summit, prepare all the needed gear, make sure to drink enough fluids, eat enough and have enough sleep for the final ascent to summit will need you full energized. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 5: Barafu camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp
Night wakeup call at around 23:00hrs and after some tea and biscuits you set off into the night in a North-West direction and ascend through heavy scree towards the Stella Point. Standing at 5,756m above sea level. Time to see how prepared you were to make it to the summit (Uhuru), as most people call it quits at this point, yet it is actually a much fair ascent to the summit from here. Have a very short stop at this point and then ascend to Uhuru Peak 5,895 m (19,341 ft). Normally encountering snow all the way.
Congratulations, you made it. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. Take those forever memory photos. Time to descend the tallest free standing mountain. Descend straight to Mweka Camp with a lunch break, some celebration and a brief rest stop at Barafu Camp. Pack your gears and other property and set off to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Mweka camp – Mweka Gate
Last day, last breakfast on the famous Mt. Kilimanjaro. You made it. After your breakfast, you will continue your descent to the Mweka Park Gate. Upon arrival at the gate you will sign and receive your summit climbing certificate and then travel to Mweka Village for lunch after which your driver will pick you and drive you to your hotel in Arusha for more celebrations, well-deserved showers, mouthwatering meals and ample rest.
