This 7 Days Kilimanjaro Mountain hike is an excellent Package to conquer Africa’s highest mountain. The hike is best for adventurous travelers who want to experience something challenging but life changing. This seven days’ safari in Tanzania follows the Mechame gate taking you via various vegetation zones with stopovers on different camps. The Machame route is undeniably the most loved route by most travelers hiking Mount. Kilimanjaro.
7 Days Kilimanjaro Mountain Hike itinerary
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
In the early morning, drive from your hotel and transfer to Machame gate where the hiking starts from. You will have a short briefing on the dos, don’ts and safety precautions of Hiking to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The 5-6 hours’ hike takes you through Machame village and the forested areas on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The distance between Machame gate and Machame camp is 4,500ft to 9,400ft above the sea level. The slower slopes of this trail normally gets wet and slippery which require hiking gaiters for easy movements.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Wake up very early, have a hot cup of coffee and setoff for Shira camp located at 12,500 ft. above the sea level. In this hike, you will leave the rain forest and join the moorland type of vegetation which is more open offering you great views of Tanzania’s savannah parks and local communities in the lowlands.
The hike from Machame Camp to Shira Camp takes between 4-6 hours depending on the traveler’s physical ability and the hiking speed of the slowest person in the group. You will cross a little valley crossing over a narrow ridge which makes the experience more fun and enjoyable for the adventurous.
Day 3: Shira Camp – Lava Tower-Barancco Camp.
Today, we are covering up a 10 kilometers distance uphill from 12,500ft to 13,000ft above the sea level. The hike takes roughly 6-8 hours but it’s worth it. At this time, you have joined the semi desert part of Mount Kilimanjaro. Hike through the Shira plateau via the peak of Kibo to Lava tower in the south western direction.
You will then cross over a second junction to the arrow glacier at 16,000ft. From there, hike down to Barancco camp at 13,000ft where you will spend a night.
Day 4: Barancco to Karanga Camp.
After having an early morning breakfast, setoff and depart for Karanga Camp. The distance covers 5 kilometer which lasts for between 4-5 hours of hiking. You shall cover hike from 13,000ft to 13,100 ft. via the alpine desert.
You will cross steep ridge via passed the Barancco wall hiking down to Karanga valley camp site. This day is for acclimatization.
Day 5: Karanga to Barafu Camp.
The distance to be covered here is 4 kilometers between 13,100ft to 13,500ft. After a hot cup of morning coffee, leave Karanga and cross over the junction connecting to Mweka trail. You will then hike to Barafu hat which is located at 13,500ft above the sea level.
While at Barafu Camp, you will have clear views of Mawanza and Kibo peaks. In other words, this day completes the southern circuit of Kilimanjaro Mountain.
Day 6: Barafu Camp – to the summit to the Mweka Hut.
Today you wake up very early at 2:00am and start off the hike from Barafu Camp to the summit of Kilimanjaro Mountain. The summit is located between Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You will then proceed north westwards to Stella point located on 18,600ft on the crater rim.
The hike from Barafu to Stella point is known as the most challenging but memorable adventure. You will have a brief stop at this point to rest and enjoy the clear views of the mountain and local communities/attractions in the lowland areas. Thereafter, embark on an hours hike to Uhuru the highest peak of the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro. After enjoying the great views of the mountain, descend to Barafu hut for lunch and them descend to Mweka hut for an overnight.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mosh.
This is our last day of the 7 Days Kilimanjaro Mountain Hike. We descend from 10,000ft to 5,400ft down the hill. Hiking time is between 3-4 hours via the rain forest habitat. You will receive you hiking certificates at Mweka Camp and thereafter transfer to Moshi connecting to Kilimanjaro airport for your return flight.
End of safari.
