On day 2, you’ll visit Arusha National Park, which is a short drive away. The park has beautiful places to see, like the Momela lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and Mount Meru. Your guide will take you on a hike through the forest, where you might spot animals like giraffes, bushbucks, colobus monkeys, and many types of birds.

 You’ll also enjoy a picnic lunch in a lovely spot and get to learn interesting things about the park’s nature and history from your guide. After the park visit, you’ll return to the Hotel for a briefing about your Kilimanjaro climb. You’ll pack for the next day, have dinner, and rest well for your adventure. You can leave any items you don’t need for the climb with the hotel reception, ready to collect when you’re back. Your Refresh Africa Tours guide will help you with this.

 ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Arusha

MEAL PLAN: ALL MEALS ARE INCLUDED (FULL BOARD)

Elevation: 1,640 meters > 2,835 meters (5,381ft >9,301ft) Distance: ~11km / 7 miles

Trekking time: 5-7 hours Zone: Rainforest

Accommodation: Machame Camp

After breakfast, you’ll head to Machame village at the base of the mountain, where your climb will begin. The hike through the forest will take about 6 hours, and along the way, you’ll see unique Kilimanjaro plants like impatiens flowers and camphor trees.

You’ll also come across beautiful waterfalls, streams, and thick forests that are home to many animals. You might spot birds, Colobus monkeys, and blue monkeys playing in the trees. As you climb higher, you’ll see amazing views of the plains below and the mountain peaks in the distance.

After 5 hours of trekking, you’ll arrive at Machame camp. You’ll have dinner here and spend the night at 3000 meters (9880 feet).

MEAL PLAN: ALL MEALS ARE INCLUDED (FULL BOARD)

Elevation: 2,835 meters > 3,850 meters (9,301 ft > 12,631 ft) Distance: ~5km / 3 miles

Trekking time: 4-6 hours

Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone Accommodation: Shira Camp 2

Wake up early at 5:30 am and enjoy a hot drink while you get your bags ready before breakfast. After eating, you’ll start hiking and leave the forest behind. The landscape changes to heath and moorland, showing the amazing shifts in Kilimanjaro’s climate. The hike today will take about 5 to 6 hours, and you’ll stop for lunch at Shira Camp.

Shira Camp is in the heather zone, where you’ll see tall shrubs, bearded heather, volcanic rocks, and streams. You’ll also find special plants like the giant groundsels and giant lobelia that only grow here. At the Shira Plateau, which is a rocky area with incredible views, you’ll experience the raw beauty of Kilimanjaro. You’ll have lunch, dinner, and spend the night at Shira Camp, located at 3800 meters (12500 feet).

MEAL PLAN: ALL MEALS ARE INCLUDED (FULL BOARD)

Elevation: 3,850 meters > 4,600 meters > 3,900 meters (12,631ft

>15,092ft >12,795ft)

Distance: ~11km / 7 miles Trekking time: 5-7 hours

Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone Accommodation: Barranco Camp

Wake up to the stunning views at Shira Camp, a campsite with a wide view of the mountains. Today, you’ll hike through the moorland zone into the alpine desert, heading up to Lava Tower at 4600 meters (15000 feet) for lunch and to adjust to the high altitude. You’ll spend about 1 to 2 hours there before hiking back down to Baranco Camp.

Baranco Camp is surrounded by cliffs and greenery, offering amazing views of the landscape and valleys. The 5 to 7 hours of hiking will take you through different terrains, with unique rocks, lovely streams, and incredible sights along the way.

After your hike, enjoy dinner and spend the night at Baranco Camp, which is at 3900 meters (13000 feet).

MEAL PLAN: ALL MEALS ARE INCLUDED (FULL BOARD)

Elevation: 3,900 meters > 3,960 meters > 4,680 meters (12,795ft

>15,354ft)

Distance: ~9.5km / 6 miles Trekking time: 8-10 hours Zone: High alpine zone Accommodation: Barafu Camp

Day six on the Machame Route starts with a climb up the Barranco Wall, a steep rock face that requires simple climbing skills. Once at the top, the path continues through ups and downs to Karanga Camp, which is at 3960 meters.

If you’re on a six-day trek, you’ll stop at Karanga Camp for lunch before hiking along the Southern Circuit to Barafu Camp at 4680 meters. This hike takes about 8 to 10 hours and covers 9.5 kilometers (6 miles). You’ll arrive at Barafu in the afternoon, have an early dinner, and rest as your summit climb begins at midnight.

For trekkers on the seven-day route, you’ll spend the night at Karanga Camp before heading to Barafu. This extra day is helpful for getting used to the altitude.

MEAL PLAN: ALL MEALS ARE INCLUDED (FULL BOARD)

Elevation: 4,680 meters > 5,895 meters > 3,100 meters (15,354ft

>19,341ft > 10,171ft)

Distance: ~4.5km / 3 miles ascent and then 11km / 7-mile descent Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit and then 5-8 hours to Mweka Zone: Glacial zone and the all-preceding zones

Accommodation: Mweka Camp

On summit night, you’ll wake at 11:30 pm for tea and biscuits. At midnight, start your steep and slow climb up Kibo, focusing on steady steps. After 6–8 hours, you’ll reach Stella Point at 5739 meters. From there, it’s another 156 meters to Uhuru Peak, Kilimanjaro’s highest point at 5895 meters. Rest briefly at Stella Point before pushing for the summit. If you feel unwell, descend immediately.

After reaching the top, you’ll begin the 11 km (7 mile) descent to Mweka Camp at 3100 meters. The downhill trek can be tough on your joints, so trekking poles and gaiters are helpful. Mweka Camp offers fresh, oxygen-rich air for a restful night.

MEAL PLAN: ALL MEALS ARE INCLUDED (FULL BOARD)

Elevation: 3,100 meters > 1,640 meters (10,171 ft > 5,381 ft) Distance: ~9km / 5.5 miles

Trekking time: 3-5 hours Zone: Rainforest

Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha/Moshi

The final day of the Machame Route is here! You’ll trek through the rainforest slopes to Mweka Gate at 1640 meters. The 9 km (5.5 miles) hike is pleasant and takes about 3 to 4 hours. If you reached Stella Point or Uhuru Peak, you’ll receive certificates—green for Stella Point and gold for Uhuru Peak. Don’t forget to tip your trekking crew before heading back to your hotel in Arusha/Moshi.

MEAL PLAN: ALL MEALS ARE INCLUDED (FULL BOARD)

On the last day, after breakfast or lunch at your hotel Arusha/Moshi, one of the team members will accompany you as you are transferred to the airport.

MEAL PLAN: BREAKFAST PLAN

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost and upon request.