Machame route

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet an Altezza Travel representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.

PLEASE NOTE:Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.

A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's entrance: Machame Gate. After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp. The trekking route passes through the rainforest where tropical showers are highly probable, so we recommend you take not only spare clothes but also a raincoat.

PLEASE NOTE:This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:

• Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine;
• Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently);
• Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip to discuss potential allergies.

At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your breathing pattern at night, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and experience a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Elevation

1,800 m to 3,010 m

Hiking time

5-6 hours

Distance

5 km

Difficulty

Medium

Habitat

Rainforest

After breakfast, you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp. On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Technically speaking, trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 400-meter (1312-foot) gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp, you will be served a hot dinner.

PLEASE NOTE:The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation: 

Shira Camp (3,750m/12303f)

Point en route to Lava Tower (4,120m/13517f)

Hiking distance: 

2 km (1.2mi)

Hiking time: 

1–2 hours

Elevation

3,010 m to 3,750 m

Hiking time

4-5 hours

Distance

5 km

Difficulty

Low

Habitat

Moorland

After breakfast, you will leave Shira Camp and start your way to the key point of the route: Lava Tower (4,600m/15092f). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters (15092 feet). Portions of the trek may be difficult, and it is common to experience some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1–2 hours here. For this reason, our groups enjoy lunch at the top of Lava Tower.

After lunch, you will descend to Barranco Camp. Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day you will be climbing it, but don't worry: it features a very simple hiking trail is not intimidating at all.

Elevation

3,750 m to 4,630 m

Hiking time

6-8 hours

Distance

11 km

Difficulty

Medium

Habitat

Moorland

Your group will have an early start this morning, after enjoying a filling breakfast you will begin climbing Barranco Wall. Wwe recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups, which can slow you down. Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.

Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don't worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours you will have to ascend to Barafu Camp where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before the night summit.

Elevation

3,960 m to 4,640 m

Hiking time

8-10 hours

Distance

11 km

Difficulty

High

Habitat

Alpine desert

Your team will depart from Barafu Camp at night and begin the final summit to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19340f). Technically speaking, the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude, which makes even regular physical activity feel strenuous. Each pair of climbers will be under the care of a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor their physical and mental condition. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier, if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and enjoy a 2-hour rest before continuing your descent to Millennium Camp.

PLEASE NOTE:Don't forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including most broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.

Elevation

4,640 m to 5,895 m
5,895 m to 3,820 m

Hiking time

8-12 hours

Distance

15 km

Difficulty

High

Habitat

Arctic

Millennium Camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of altitude and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park's exit: Mweka Gate. After your descent, the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you with a transfer back to your hotel.

Elevation

3,820 m to 1,640 m

Hiking time

4-5 hours

Distance

12 km

Difficulty

Low

Habitat

Rainforest

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.

PLEASE NOTE:Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet an Altezza Travel representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.

PLEASE NOTE:Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.

A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at your hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing. Then you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's entrance: Machame Gate. After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp. Day 1 on the Machame Route includes passage through a rainforest where tropical showers are highly probable, so we recommend you take not only spare clothes but also a raincoat.

PLEASE NOTE:This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:

• Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine;
• Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently);
• Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip to discuss potential allergies.

At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your breathing pattern at night, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and experience a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Elevation

1,800 m to 3,010 m

Hiking time

5-6 hours

Distance

5 km

Difficulty

Medium

Habitat

Rainforest

After breakfast, you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp. On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Technically speaking, trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the change in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 400-meter (1312-foot) gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp, you will be served a hot dinner.

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation: 

Shira Camp (3,750m/12303f)

Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,120m/13517f)

Hiking distance: 

2 km (1.2mi)

Hiking time: 

1-2 hours

Elevation

3,010 m to 3,845 m

Hiking time

4-5 hours

Distance

5 km

Difficulty

Low

Habitat

Moorland

After breakfast, your group will depart Shira Camp and head towards Lava Tower. The rise-and-fall nature of this trek may present some difficulties. However, reaching the 4,600m/15092f altitude at the Lava Tower is crucial for proper acclimatization, which is why we encourage our groups to eat lunch at the top of the Lava Tower. This allows you some additional time at a high altitude before descending approximately 700m/2297f to Barranco Camp, which is the next overnight stop on this route.

Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! The next day you will be hiking it, but don't worry: it features a very simple hiking trail and is not intimidating at all.

Elevation

3,845 m to 4,630 m
4,630 m to 3,960 m

Hiking time

6-8 hours

Distance

11 km

Difficulty

Medium

Habitat

Moorland

On this day it is best to make an early start to avoid crowding on the way up Barranco Wall. Despite the Wall's seemingly daunting height and steepness the actual climb is rather simple and takes only an hour or so to complete. The top of the wall provides a great photo opportunity with Kibo Peak as the backdrop.

The next part of the day is rife with ups and downs and your guides will choose the best pace for individual trekkers. A lunch break at Karanga Camp will be followed by an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with its highest point of the hike being 4,270m/14009f. The group then hikes back to Karanga Camp for the night.

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation: 

Karanga Camp (3,995m/13106f)

highest point reached: 4,270m/14009f

Hiking distance: 

2.5 km (1.5mi)

Hiking time: 

1-2 hours

Elevation

3,960 m to 4,035 m

Hiking time

4-5 hours

Distance

5 km

Difficulty

Medium

Habitat

Moorland

After breakfast, you will begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp. Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax upon arrival. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization climb towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp with its highest point being 4,800m/15748f and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before the night summit.

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation: 

Barafu Camp (4,673m/15331f)

Kosovo Camp (4,800m/15748f)

Hiking distance: 

2 km (1.2mi)

Hiking time: 

1-2 hours

Elevation

4,035 m to 4,640 m

Hiking time

4-5 hours

Distance

6 km

Difficulty

Medium

Habitat

Alpine desert

Summiting starts around midnight. You will begin at an altitude of 4,673m/15331f and climb to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m/19340f. While the trek itself is fairly simple, the high altitude means that even regular physical exercise will feel strenuous. Therefore, climbers will be put in groups of two and assigned a personal guide who will monitor their condition throughout the climb for the entire summit trek. Upon summiting, you will have an opportunity to walk to the nearest glacier. You will enjoy a 2-hour rest at Barafu Camp and then continue descending to Millennium Camp.

PLEASE NOTE:The descent is deceptively easy and some areas have poor footing. 90% of accidents occur during the descent. Mind your feet if you want to avoid falling and damaged toenails!

Elevation

4,640 m to 5,895 m
5,895 m to 3,820 m

Hiking time

7-12 hours

Distance

15,5 km

Difficulty

High

Habitat

Arctic

You are sure to enjoy a good night's sleep at the lower altitude, and the sense of satisfaction from reaching the top. Breakfast will be followed by another descent, down to 1,640m/5380f and arrival at Mweka Gate. After a short celebration with the whole of the climbing crew, you will receive your climb certificates and be transported back to your hotel.

Elevation

3,820 m to 1,650 m

Hiking time

4-5 hours

Distance

12 km

Difficulty

Low

Habitat

Rainforest

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.

PLEASE NOTE:Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.