Kilimanjaro Machame Ultimate Summit

You wake up early at Machame camp, and after having breakfast, you go on a climb that lasts about an hour to reach the edge of the forest. From there, you continue for two hours at a more gradual incline through the moorland zone.

After a brief lunch and rest, you proceed up a rocky ridge leading to the Shira plateau. At this point, you will have a view to the east of the Western Breach and its breathtaking glaciers.

Now positioned directly west of Kibo, a short hike will take you to the Shira campsite at an elevation of 3,840 meters. The porters will prepare boiling water for drinking and washing before serving dinner. Expect the night at this exposed campsite to be even colder than the previous one, with temperatures falling well below freezing.

The path now heads east into a semi-desert and rocky terrain surrounding Lava Tower, where you will reach an elevation of 4630m after approximately five hours of walking. Lunch is provided in a designated area before you continue your ascent along the rocky scree trail to Lava Tower (4630m). This day is undoubtedly the most challenging one thus far.

At this point, many climbers may begin to experience symptoms such as breathlessness, irritability, and headaches for the first time. After lunch, you will descend nearly 680m to the Barranco camping area, and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the real benefits of acclimatization on this day become apparent.

The descent to Barranco camp takes about two hours and presents excellent opportunities for capturing stunning photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is located in a valley beneath the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, offering a breathtaking sunset as you wait for your dinner to be prepared.

After spending a night at the impressive Great Barranco Wall, you begin your ascent of this daunting challenge, which often turns out to be easier than expected. Once you reach just below the Heim Glacier, you can truly appreciate the stunning beauty of Kilimanjaro. The route then descends through the Karanga Valley, navigating various ridges and valleys before connecting with the Mweka route, which is the preferred descent path from the summit, so keep that in mind. After turning left up the ridge and trekking for about another hour, you arrive at Barafu Hut.

The last water source on this route is in the Karanga Valley since there is no water available at Barafu camp. The name Barafu means "ice" in Swahili, and it is a harsh and unwelcoming place to camp overnight. Completely exposed to strong winds, tents are set up on a narrow, rocky, and precarious ridge. Familiarize yourself with the area before nightfall to avoid any mishaps. The summit is still 1,345 meters above you, and you will make your final ascent that same night. Prepare your gear, including your ski pole and thermal clothing for the summit attempt. This preparation should involve replacing the batteries in your headlamp and camera, ensuring you have spares as well. To prevent freezing, it's advisable to carry your water in a thermal flask. Aim to go to bed around 7:00 PM to get some much-needed rest and sleep.

You will wake up around 11:30 PM, and after enjoying some tea and biscuits, you'll set off into the night. Your journey will take you in a north-west direction as you climb through loose rocks towards Stella Point on the crater's edge.

For many climbers, this six-hour trek to Stella Point is both mentally and physically the toughest part of the route. Upon reaching Stella Point (5685m), you'll take a brief break and be treated to a breathtaking sunrise, provided the weather cooperates.

From Stella Point, you will typically encounter snow during your two-hour climb to Uhuru Peak. The amount of time you spend at the summit will depend on the weather. It's important not to linger too long, as it can be challenging to resume your journey due to the cold and fatigue. Take a moment to appreciate your achievement and create lasting memories.

The descent back to Barafu from the summit takes approximately three hours. Here, you'll enjoy a well-deserved but brief rest and gather the rest of your gear. The path is not difficult and will lead you down through rocky terrain and scree into the moorland, eventually reaching the forest. The camp is located in the upper forest area, where mist or rain may occur in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be ready for you.

After enjoying a well-deserved breakfast, your team will have a grand celebration filled with dancing and singing.

At this mountain location, you will present tips to the guide, assistant guides, chefs, and porters.

Once the celebration concludes, you'll begin a three-hour descent back to Mweka Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign in to receive their completion certificates.

Hikers who reached Stella Point (5685m) will be awarded green certificates, while those who made it to Uhuru Peak (5895m) will receive gold certificates.

After obtaining your certificates, you'll descend into Mweka village for an hour (3 kilometers), where a hot lunch will be served. Following that, you'll drive back to Moshi/Arusha for much-anticipated showers and additional celebrations.