Mount Kilimanjaro Climb
The 7 days Mount Kilimanjaro Climb takes you through Machame route. This Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing route is also known as the Whiskey Route. This is the most popular camping route on Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
About The 7 Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climb
The 7 days Mount Kilimanjaro Climb takes you through Machame route. This route is also known as the Whiskey Route. This is the most popular camping route on Mount Kilimanjaro Climb.
This 7 day Mount Kilimanjaro climb takes you through a rugged combination of routes. The 7 day Mount Kilimanjaro climb begins through the rain forest at Machame Village. This is on the southwest side of the mountain.
Over the seven days of your adventure in Tanzania the route rises onto the edge of the Shira Plateau. You will go down into the beautiful Great Barranco Valley. You will then circumvent to the Kibo massif.
Go counter-clockwise through alpine desert until reaching Barafu Camp.
Detailed 7 Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climb Itinerary
Day 1: MACHAME GATE (5,950 ft) – MACHAME CAMP (9,850 ft)
Our Tanzania safari rep will meet you in Arusha. This will be followed by a briefing on your Mount Kilimanjaro climb. Enjoy 2 hours transfer at 0800hrs from Arusha to Machame Gate. Upon completion of entry formalities, on a 4 x 4 track drive for an hour into the forest. At the end of the track continue with the trail on foot.
You will walk up through the dripping, verdant forest. Trekkers will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above. Be on the lookout for the black and white colobus monkeys. There are also sykes monkeys seem as you hike along the forest floor.
The trek is quite long (12 miles / 20 km) but not that steep. This will take from 5 to 7 hours trekking to reach the first camp. Machame Camp is just above the forest, in the heather zone. When it is clear, there are views of jagged Shira ridge and the summit itself. You will have your night here.
Day 2: MACHAME CAMP ~ SHIRA CAMP (12,600 ft)
An early wake up on Mount Kilimanjaro climb starts your day. This will be to a steaming cup of tea of coffee served in your tent. You will walk up the steep track through a savannah of tall grasses.
There are also trees of giant Heather and Erica. The clouds should clear for a beautiful view of the Western Breach. You can also see the glaciers atop which mark Kilimanjaro’s summit.
Scramble around large boulders as you enter the moorland zone. The region is marked by the bizarre lobelia and senecio plants. There are also volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards. This protects wild alpine flowers growing at their bases.
You’ll reach Shira camp after descending a small valley and crossing a brook. A small ascent up onto the Shira Ridge gets you there. This will be a total of about 4 to 5 hours of trekking.
Day 3: SHIRA CAMP – BARRANCO CAMP (12,950 ft)
Enjoy your Mount Kilimanjaro climb early breakfast. Proceed on a steady pace upward over long ridgelines of high desert. This will be about 4 hours of trekking.
A break for lunch will be at about 14,500 feet (4,420 m). After lunch, continue to Lava Tower. This is a 300-foot-tall volcanic plug. It marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet (4,600 m).
You will descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley in the afternoon. Barranco Camp is set on a col (flat area). This is enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself.
Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above. It is amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels. This is scientifically called Senecio Kilimanjari.
You can also see the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia. Trekking time is from 6 to 7 hours and overnight at Barranco Camp.
Day 4: BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP (13,100 ft)
Today your Mount Kilimanjaro climb goes to Karanga Valley Camp. This is at 13,000 feet (3,950 m) altitude. The camp is between Barranco and Barafu Camps. This day is the most important day for acclimatization.
The day begins with a scramble up the steep ‘Barranco Wall’. You will then traverse up and down the slopes of valleys. These have carved their way into the mountain’s southern face.
Kibo’s glaciers loom above to your left. The jagged peaks of Mawenzi jut into the African sky. This is at just less than 17,000 feet straight ahead. You will get to Karanga Valley after 3-4 hours of trekking.
Enjoy some hot lunch and afternoon at leisure. You can also take excursions from the camp before dinner and overnight.
Day 5: KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP (15,200 ft)
Another day on Mount Kilimanjaro climb begins. After breakfast proceed as the trail turns steadily uphill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape sparser as you near Barafu.
Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge. The camp acts as a base camp. It is from here that you will make the summit attempt at midnight tonight. Total trekking time is 4-5 hours.
You are expected to reach camp in time for a hot lunch. The afternoon is yours to rest and prepare for the long night ahead.
Eat and drink as much as possible for you will need the energy. A lot of rest is needed hence you will retire to bed early.
Day 6: BARAFU – UHURU PEAK (19,340 ft) – MWEKA CAM P(10,200 ft)
A midnight wakeup call starts the Mount Kilimanjaro climb day. This will be accompanied by a steaming hot drink. This is a momentous day, a day you have and prepared for.
A day you want to be at the top of Africa. You have 12 to 17 hours of trekking a head of you. The temperatures here will be below freezing point. The trekking will start between 0030hrs to 0100hrs.
Wind through the shadows of the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers at early dawn. After about 6 hours of walking, you will come to the edge of the crater. This is at Stella Point, at 19,000 feet (5,790 m). This will mark the end of the steep track. From here it’s a gentle slope upward for 1 hour and voila! It is Uhuru Peak.
Enjoy your time at the summit before coming down. You will descend the steep scree trail back to Barafu Camp for some rest. Proceed further down to Mweka Camp for the night.
Day 7: MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE (6,000 ft)
Final day on Mount Kilimanjaro climb starts with breakfast. Descend for about 3 hours straight to the gate. Enjoy your lunch as you wait for the climbing certificates. Enjoy a transfer to Arusha for overnight.
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7 Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climb Costs:
Mount Kilimanjaro Climb Inclusions/Exclusions
- Group transport to and from Moshi to the trail head
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping/hut fees, rescue fees and Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Expert guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Bottled oxygen, for emergency rescue only
- Private toilet
- Four season, 3 person mountain tents, double occupancy
- Sleeping pad, foam, 1.5 inches thick
- Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
- Fresh, nutritious meals on the mountain
- Breakfast at hotel
Not included in 7 Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climb price:
- Airfare
- Lunch or dinner at hotel
- Beverages at hotel
- Personal gear and equipment
- Tips
Costs of extra services:
- Single supplement, for single tent/room, per trip $250
- Extra porter, for excess gear, per day $30
- Extra hotel night in Moshi, check in 11 AM, check out 10 AM, per double room $90
- Sleeping bag rental, Mountain Hardwear Lamina, synthetic -30F, per trip $50
- No rental reservations necessary, payable in Tanzania
- Trekking poles rental, telescopic, per trip $20
No rental reservations necessary, payable in Tanzania - Mount Meru climb (4 days/3 nights + 2 nights hotel)
per person $1,495 (2+ climbers), solo climber $1,695
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