11 Day Kilimanjaro Trekking, Climbing Kilimanjaro via Machame Route

Embark on an incredible 11-day Kilimanjaro trekking adventure, conquering the majestic and magnificent Mountain Kilimanjaro through the Machame Route. Calling all Kilimanjaro Climbing adventure enthusiasts to get ready for an incredible 11 Day Kilimanjaro Climbing and Trekking experience on a Tanzania Safari. This Safari offers you incredible opportunities to embark on a magical journey to conquer the summit of the highest mountain in Africa through the breathtaking Machame route. This is an extraordinary expedition.

Trip Summary of the 11 Day Kilimanjaro Trekking

Day #1: Arrival and transfer to your Hotel in Moshi.

Day #2: Transfer to Machame Gate the trek to Machame Campsite

Day #3: Trek from Machame Campsite to Shira Campsite.

Day #4: Acclimatization Day.

Day #5: Trek from Shira Campsite to the Lava Tower and then descend to Barranco Camp.

Day #6: Trek from Barranco camp to Barafu camp.

Day #7: Hike from Barafu Camp to the Third Cave.

Day #8: Trek from the Third Cave to the School Hut.

Day #9: Continue to the Summit of Uhuru peak and then descend to Mweka Camp.

Day #10: Descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka gate for departure to Moshi.

Day #11: Depart from Moshi Back to the Airport for your fright back Home.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to your Hotel in Moshi.

On the first day of your incredible journey up the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, you can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. You’ll be greeted with a warm welcome at the airport by our friendly driver who will happily assist you with your luggage and ensure a smooth and comfortable journey to your hotel in Moshi. Our expert team leaders are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that you have all the necessary information and guidance for a successful and enjoyable trek. Your hiking gear will be carefully inspected and adjusted if needed. The rest of the day is spent joyfully preparing for your life-changing journey.

Day 2: Transfer to Machame Gate for the Beginning of the Trek.

After the delicious morning breakfast you will start the two hours’ drive from your Lodge in Moshi town to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park entrance gate at Machame gate. On arrival  you will start with a briefing and later start the hike to Machame campsite. The hike takes about seven hours for this jaw dropping hike. As you embark on your adventure through the rainforest today, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the beauty of tropical Kilimanjaro showers. It’s a great idea to bring a raincoat along with your spare clothes to ensure you stay comfortable and dry throughout the day.

Dinner and Overnight at Machame camp.

Day 3: Continue to Shira campsite

After having the morning breakfast you will then continue with the hike across the valley not until you reach the moorland of Shira plateau. When you finally make it out of the tropical African jungle, the Shira Plateau’s breathtaking panoramas will greet you. This trek is the shortest hike on your safari but it involves challenging, dirty, and rocky path which takes about seven hours up to Shira campsite.

Dinner and Overnight at Shira campsite.

Day 4: Acclimatization day

On this day you have two possible short excursions after breakfast. You can either take the one that leads to the Shira cathedral or the one which leads you the Shira cone. On this day, you can hike the Shira Cathedral (3895 m) and also explore the Shira Plateau. After have lunch and a free evening of relaxation.

Shira, the oldest and smallest of the volcanoes, went dormant first. The highest point on the Shira ridge, known as Johnsell Point, stands at an impressive 3962 meters and is located on the mountain’s western flank. The old Shira crater’s western and southern walls form this crest. Newer Kibo ash covers the northern and eastern edges. The Shira Plateau, located between Shira and Kibo, is a massive, rocky collapsed crater (caldera) covering an area of 6,200 hectares. This fascinating formation is the result of lava flows that cooled to rock.

Dinner and overnight at Shira campsite.

Day 5: Continue the hike to the lava tower

After the morning breakfast, you will climb for around seven hours up to the lava tower, then descend to Barranco camp for an overnight. This may not be the easiest part of the trail, as there are a number of steep inclines and declines. We will spend a couple of hours here for lunch in order to acclimate to the high altitude. Barranco Camp is located at 3960 meters, and after lunch you will make your way down to there. The Barranco Wall, renowned for its massive size and steep gradient, can be seen from the camp.

From this camp, you will take in the beautiful views of the Barranco wall.

Day 6: From Barranco to Barafu camp

You will be ascending the Barranco Wall today. The hike up the wall is not difficult and takes around an hour. It’s best to get an early start from camp after breakfast if you want to avoid encountering large groups of people. You will reach the top of the wall and take a break there to admire the view of Kibo and snap some pictures. The next step is to begin the strenuous trek to Karanga Camp. If you keep up a good pace on the trail’s regular ups and downs, you can make it to the camp in time for lunch. The trek to the top of Uhuru Peak begins at the Barafu Summit Camp (4640m), which you will reach after lunch. When you get to the camp, you’ll eat a hot meal and sleep for the rest of the night.

Day 7: Barafu Camp to Third Cave

As we head up Buffalo Ridge, the terrain is increasingly sparse. This route is rarely travelled and allows you to enjoy its mountain wilderness feel. Trek through remote valleys on to the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro until you arrive at Third Cave.

Day 8: Third Cave to School Hut

We climb up and over the saddle which sits between Kibo and Mawenzi. Continue on to the School Hut camp. Once here you rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

Day 9: Continue to Uhuru peak

The journey continues in the midnight such that you reach the summit early for awe inspiring views of Sunrise. It takes six hours up to the Stella point and 1.5 hours along the southern rim to reach Uhuru peak. After take a seven hours descend to Mweka camp for dinner and night stay.

Day 10: Hike to Mweka gate

Have morning breakfast and after start the three hours trek to Mweka gate. From this location you will be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi.

Day 11: Departure

You will be transferred to the airport for your international flight back home after breakfast. If you have an evening flight and you would like to check out of the hotel later, you can do so for an additional fee. The standard check-out time of hotels in Tanzania is 11 a.m.

A Tanzania safari or a trip to the pristine beaches of Zanzibar are both excellent choice to spend an extra time in Tanzania.

End of 11 Day Kilimanjaro Trekking, Climb Kilimanjaro via Machame Route