Climbing Kilimanjaro: The Route to use

Generally speaking the route we prefer is called the Machame route. It is regarded as the most challenging of the routes on Mt Kilimanjaro, but we believe ultimately the most satisfying. We circle the summit massif on days 3 ,4 and 5 and ascend to the summit from Barafu Hut. This means seeing the mountain from all different angles and the days circling the base do not involve any real gain in altitude which is good for acclimatisation. After summitting we descend from Barafu Hut down the Mweka route to the gate and back to Moshi.

Day 1 - Machame Gate to Machame Camp (3000m), 4 hours through forest
Day 2 - Machame to Shira Plateau (3850m'), 5 hours through forest and open heath
Day 3 - Shira Plateau to Barranco Hut (3950m), 6 hours on open heath and over two valleys
Day 4 - Barranco Hut to Karanga Valley (3930m), 3 hours on open heath and rock across one valley
Day 5 - Karanga Valley to Barafu Hut (4600m), 3 hours ascent on open ground
Day 6 - Barafu Hut to Summit (5895m) and down to Millennium Camp (3300m), 6-8 hours to crater rim at night, 45 minutes from rim to Uhuru Peak, 3 or 4 hours back to Barafu Hut, 1-2 hours down to Millennium Camp
Day 7 - Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate (1500m) and Moshi. 3 to 4 hours in forest.

We do not allow any trip to be less than seven days to the summit for reasons of safety trekking kilimanjaro summit view on mount kilimanjaro, climbing kilimanjaro.

Mount Kilimanjaro Quick Facts

Height: 19,340 ft (5,895 m)
Size: 60 miles x 40 miles (100 km x 65 km)
Location: Tanzania, near Kenyan border in East Africa
Volcanoes: Kibo, Mawenzi, Shira
Ecosystems: Bushland, Forest, Heath, Alpine, Arctic
Nearby Cities: Moshi, Arusha
Nearby Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)