8 Days / 7 Nights – Machame Route

The climb starts from Machame Gate (1,800m.) after a short walk through the attractive banana and coffee farms of Machame village. The path follows a ridge through dense mountain forest. This is the richest forested area on the mountain and also the zone from where 96% of the water on Kilimanjaro originates. On sunny days and especially in dry season, this section is very lush and beautiful. We have lunch at 'Halfway Clearing' a small opening in the trees, and continue climbing steadily. The gradient becomes gentler as the forest slowly merges into giant heather close to the next camp near Machame Hut (3,000m.). We may get our first closer look at the glaciated dome of Kibo if the evening clouds permit. [3-4 hours walking].

A shorter day that begins by climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known as Picnic Rock. There are excellent views of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau from here, and it is a good rest point too! The trail continues less steeply to reach the Shira Plateau. We camp near Shira Hut (3,840m.) which has some of the most stunning views on Kilimanjaro, close to the huge volcanic cone of Kibo, the spectacular rock formations of Shira Plateau, and looking across to Mt. Meru floating on the clouds. [4-5 hours walking].

Walk to Moir Hut (4200m / 13775ft.) taking 2 to 3 hours. After an early lunch climb the Lent Group, a rarely- attempted ridge walk and scramble taking us to the top of these parasite cones (4750m./15580ft.) and then back to Moir Hut for dinner and overnight.

We ascend to our camp just at the base of rock formation called Lava Tower at 4600m/15,000ft. On our today's hike we will see plants indigenous to the alpine zone such as giant lobelias, giant senecios, tussock grasses, and helichrysums. It is too high for most insects in this zone but we will see some bird species, like the white-necked raven, various sunbirds, Jackson's francolin, Verreauxs eagles, and swifts. We will also see small rodents like four- striped grass mouse (4-5 hours walk).

On our today's climb leaving Lava Tower camp, the Southern Ice fields ( Diamond, Balleto and Heim glaciers) come into view providing us with one of the most spectacular sights on the mountain. In a 3-31/2 hour walk, we will get to our Arrow Glacier Camp, 4800m/15,750ft. Just near Arrow Glacier ice field. The southern slope of Kilimajaro and the African savannah extending beyond, it can be viewed from here if it is clear. Other wise the top of Mt. Meru just at below 4600m/15800ft. will be viewed floating on the clouds.

After our early breakfast, we start our climb by scrambling up the Western Breach wall, which tops out at over 5480m/18000ft. The entire Shira plateau, which can be seen from here, gives us a good look at how far we have traveled! The dramatic Northern ice field to our left and the Furtwangler glacier to our right can be seen as getting to the top of the breach wall, you can walk right up to these glaciers that are well over 50ft tall! The black volcanic rock makes a dramatic foreground to these glaciers and a great photo opportunity if there is no snow. To gain a sense of some perspective; our high base camp in the Crater, past the Furtwangler glacier, will be just below the altitude of Everest's Base camp!(6 hours walking). Optionally, a trip taking us 1 hour to and from a visit to the Volcanic vent (Ash Pit) is possible later on in the afternoon.

We start struggling for the final section of our climbing up to the summit from 6.00 a.m in the morning soon after early small breakfast and getting there (at Uhuru Peak 5895m./19,340ft), the Roof top of Africa in 11/2 hours later. Whilst at here, you will have good views of the Mawenzi Peak to the east and Mt. Meru to the west and glaciers including Furtwangler glacier, Northern ice field and Reusch crater. After getting our summit photos, we descend along Mweka route via Stella point and stopping for lunch at Barafu huts, then continuing down to Mweka huts 3100m/10,170ft for the last nigh on the mountain (3-3 1/2 hours from the summit to Barafu huts and 3hours more to Mweka huts /camp).

A sustained descent through lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650m.); and on through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village. 3-4 hours walking].