10 Day Adventure via Machame Route with Crater Camp

Route Overview

The Machame route, which approaches from the South West, is one of our top recommendations. Although this can make it busier, the route provides excellent acclimatization and, as a result, has one of the greatest summit success rates of all the routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. A path that is incredibly varied, travelling through five different climate zones. Crater Camp, located at 5730 meters, is a good alternative for climbers who are confident in their ability to acclimate properly because it is a nearly unspoiled and unexplored wilderness.

Route Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

To get to Kilimanjaro International Airport, every hiker must arrange their own flights (JRO). We will set up a private transfer for you from JRO to your hotel. You will meet your local Tito Tanzania agent that evening or early the next morning and receive a thorough pre-climb briefing.

Transport: Private transfer (0.8 hour, 40 km)
Accomodation: Hotel

Day 2: From Machame Gate to Machame Camp

To register, take a ride from your accommodation to Machame Gate. Before we begin our trek through the forest trail to Machame Camp at 3000m, our porters prepare and load our supplies and bags. We’ll spend the night here.

Transport: Private transfer (0.8 hour, 30 km)
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
Ascent: 1200 m
altitude: 3000 m
Accomodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Following breakfast, we go off on foot, leaving the rainforest behind. We gradually climb our way up to a steep, rocky slope that is covered in heather. Until we reach Shira Camp, our path now curves to the west along a river gorge. Tonight will be significantly colder than last night, with potential lows below zero.

Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours
Ascent: 850 m
altitude: 3850 m
Accomodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 4: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp Via Lava Tower

We will ascend to 4600 meters today and descend to the Lava Tower’s base for lunch and acclimatization. Our hardest day thus far will be today, and you might feel the effects of the altitude for the first time. Following the acclimatization maxim “hike high, sleep low,” we will descend by over 650 meters again to Barranco Camp after lunch. We descend to Barranco Camp over a two-hour period, which provides wonderful possibilities to capture some breathtaking images of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is located in a valley between the Great Barranco Wall and the Breach.

Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
Ascent: 750 m
Descent: 650 m
altitude: 4600 m
Accomodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 5: From Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

A quick but enjoyable day that begins with a climb up the Great Barranco Wall. To reach the Karanga Valley (3930m), which is located beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers, we then travel through scree. At the campsite at Karanga, we’ll spend the night.

Hiking time: 4 hours
Ascent: 260 m
Descent: 280 m
altitude: 4210 m
Accomodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 6: From Karanga Camp to Barafu Hut

In order to reach the intersection with the Mweka downhill trail, we leave the Karanga campground behind. We then ascend to Barafu Camp from here. You have now finished the Southern Circuit, which gives numerous perspectives of the summit. We may rest, eat dinner, and get ready for the summit day in camp. From here, it is possible to see Mawenzi and Kibo’s two peaks in full view.

Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours
Ascent: 670 m
altitude: 4600 m
Accomodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 7: Barafu Camp to Summit to Crater Camp

Awakening will occur about 7:00. Starting between the Rebman and Ratzel glaciers, we ascend to Stella Point on the crater rim on our ascent to the summit. The hardest portion of the walk both psychologically and physically is this. We will pause at Stella Point (5732m) to have a little break. The highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro on the African continent, Uhuru Peak (5895m), is now only an hour away. We take a few summit shots before starting our descent into Kibo Crater, where we’ll set up camp for the evening. Depending on the season, you will observe the rapidly receding glaciers set amidst either sand, desert, or snowy conditions. The view is simply stunning.

Hiking time: 9 – 10 hours
Ascent: 1295 m
Descent: 165 m
altitude: 5895 m
Accomodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 8: Crater Camp to Mweka Camp

To make it to the Crater Rim in time to view the sunrise, we get up early. We walk down to the campground at Mweka Hut from the rim. In order to navigate the loose gravel leading to Mweka Camp, trekking poles will be required (3100m). We will have our final meal on the mountain later in the evening before a well-deserved rest.

Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours
Descent: 2630 m
altitude: 5730 m
Accomodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 9: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

This is your last day of the journey; after breakfast, we continue our descent of 1300 meters to the Mweka Park Gate, where you can pick up your summit certificates from the park headquarters. to your hotel by transfer.

Transport: Private transfer (0.5 hour, 17 km)
Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours<br>Descent: 1300 m<br>Max. altitude: 3100 m
Accomodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 10: Departure

We’ll say farewell after a much-needed night of rest. If you have scheduled an airport transport with us, a safari, or a vacation to Zanzibar, we will pick you up in the morning for your next destination.

Transport: Private transfer (0.8 hour, 40 km)
Meals included: Breakfast