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Mount Kilimanjaro

Machame Route

Option 1

Day 1 Machame Gate to Machame camp. Landrovers take climbers to the gate at 1800 metres at the entrance to the forest. From here, a 5 to 6 hour walk, gradually ascending through the forest to a ridge between two streams and then onwards to the camp which is just clear of the forest at 3000 metres.

Day 2 Machame camp to Shira camp. Walk up a steep ridge from Machame camp through moorland to about 3600 metres, heading straight towards the peak. Then, after about 4 hours, the path turns left, flattening out into a gorge and ascending more gradually to Shira camp (3840 metres) on the Shira plateau to the west of Kibo. Total time is about 5-6 hours.

Day 3 Shira camp to Lava Tower camp. The path continues directly up the ridge towards Kibo to Lava Tower hut at 4600 metres. The hut is so called because of a tower of lava nearby. Total time is about 4-5 hours. Shortly before reaching Lava Tower , a path leads off to the right which goes along the Kibo South Circuit to Barranco camp.

Day 4 Lava Tower to Arrow Glacier camp. A short but steep climb up the start of the Western Breach of Kibo emerges onto a small plateau after about one and a half hours. Camp is made here, and the rest of the day is spent relaxing or exploring the Big Breach glacier to the south of the camp. Altitude here is 4900 metres.

Day 5 Arrow Glacier to the top. Leaving the hut very early in the morning, climb the slope behind the hut, continuing up through cliffs of rock. Eventually reach a ridge like a staircase and scramble up onto the crater floor. From the camp, this part will take about 6 hours, and the crater floor is about 5700 metres at this point. It is then about 1 1/2 hours to Uhuru Peak (5895m). Descend via Barafu camp (1-2 hours from Stella point) and then continue for another 3 or 4 hours to Mweka hut.

Day 6 Descend to Mweka gate.

Option 2.

Day 1 Machame Gate to Machame camp. Landrovers take climbers to the gate at 1800 metres at the entrance to the forest. From here, a 5 to 6 hour walk, gradually ascending through the forest to a ridge between two streams and then onwards to the camp which is just clear of the forest at 3000 metres.

Day 2 Machame to Shira camp. Walk up a steep ridge from Machame camp through moorland to about 3600 metres, heading straight towards the peak. Then, after about 4 hours, the path turns left, flattening out into a gorge and ascending more gradually to Shira camp (3840 metres) on the Shira plateau to the west of Kibo. Total time is about 5-6 hours.

Day 3 Shira to Barranco camp. The path continues directly up the ridge towards Kibo. After about 4 hours, the path forks to the right and descends into a gorge (barranco) and the night is spent at Barranco camp (3950 metres). Total time about 5-6 hours.

Day 4 Barranco to Barafu camp. Cross the Barranco valley, climb the Barranco wall (not technical climbing), then follow the Kibo South Circuit. Wonderful views are to be had of Kibo's southern glaciers if the weather is clear. Lunch next to the river in the Karanga valley, then on to the intersection of the South Circuit with the Mweka ascent path. Turn left and climb up a ridge for about 2 hours to Barafu camp (4600 metres). Total time about 6-7 hours.

Day 5 Barafu camp to the top. Leave hut at 1 or 2am. Steep climb over scree and rock towards the Rebmann Glacier, pass a cliff and then enter the gap between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, arriving at the crater rim near Stella point. (About 6-7 hours). 1 more hour to Uhuru. Descend via Barafu hut (1-2 hours from Stella point) and then continue for another 3 or 4 hours to Mweka camp.

Day 6 Descend to Mweka gate.

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Rate for hiking Mt Kilimanjaro rate for 2012.