1.MACHAME ROUTE | Rigaro Adventure

1.MACHAME ROUTE

Kilimanjaro is the African continent’s best-known and highest mountain. With its snow-capped peak, it justifiably features on nearly every adventurer’s list of ‘must-dos.’ If you’re not in a tearing hurry, why not consider the Machame route, which takes one day longer than the more popular Marangu, but is slightly more challenging. Accommodation on the ascent is in tents, adding to the sense of adventure. The extra time taken acclimatizing means a higher success rate! The Machame is actually the second most popular route for a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. From the village at Machame (altitude: 1490 meters), the approach is from the south-west of the summit. Led by an expert guide and a team of porters and cooks, you enter into a lush rainforest, as heavy rains frequently visit this side of the mountain.

Day 1: Machame Gate – Machame Camp
Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

Day 2: Machame camp – Shira Camp
Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland

Day 3: Shira Camp/Cave – Barranco Camp
Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert

Day 4: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 5: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 6: Barafu Camp- Summit – Mweka Camp
Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic

Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Arusha/ Moshi
Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest