Machame gate - Kilimanjaro (Machame route)

Access to starting point:
From the JRO Kilimanjaro airport, it takes about 1 hour by car to Machame gate.
We were accommodated in a hotel in the town of Moshi, from there it is about 45 min by car.

Path description:
Several unmarked but well-maintained paths lead to the mountain, and we always climb with the accompaniment of a guide and porter, in accordance with the national park rules.
This is a description of the Machame route which starts at Machame gate, and it is the route where we sleep in tents. The route can be completed in 6 or 7 days. One extra day helps with acclimatization.

Day 1: Machame gate (1800m) – Machame camp (2835m), 13km; approx. 4:30h
We start the path after we have done the registration and after we have had lunch.
Initially, we climb a relatively steep road which becomes less steep and after about 3km the road becomes a nicely maintained path. The path leads through a rainforest and ascends gently but constantly. After about 2 hours of walking through the rainforest canopy, we see our goal which from here looks very high and unreachable. With a gentle uphill walk, we see how the forest changes from rainforest to less dense and into a more bushy area. Throughout the path, the trail is quite gentle, with a few places being slightly steeper.
Just before the camp, a view of the mighty Kilimanjaro opens up to us, which takes our breath away.
A few more minutes of walking and we arrive at the totem which shows the altitude. Since we started late, and darkness falls quickly, we prepare for sleep. The temperature drops quickly after the Sun sets.

Day 2: Machame camp (2835m) – Shira cave camp (3750m), 4.2km; approx 4:30h
Today's ascent starts with a gentle descent to a small bridge, then at first a nice flat path that soon becomes a steep path over hardened lava. The pace is a bit slower than the day before, so we don't get tired, and we quickly gain altitude. After about an hour, we arrive at a nice viewpoint (you need to climb the rock on the right side of the trail). The path ascends more or less steeply until we reach the pass and descend to the arranged rest area (WC). After that, the path climbs less steeply towards the second camp. There is still some low bush, otherwise around us is a barren landscape.
In the camp, we have lunch and rest, and in the afternoon we go on an acclimatization ascent towards Shira II camp, about half an hour in one direction, spend some time there and return to rest. The camp is in a very beautiful place with a good view of Mt. Meru.
Before the camp, on the ground, we come across a lot of larger and smaller pebbles of obsidian (volcanic glass).

Day 3: Shira cave camp (3750m) – Lava tower (4600m) – Barranco camp (3900m), total 10km; 6h
Today we use to approach the summit, but also for good acclimatization. The path steadily ascends, not too steep and occasionally flattens. Behind us, the view opens to the Shira plateau and Mt. Meru. With a gentle pace, we arrive at the junction with the Lemosho route and soon after we arrive at the crossroads where the porters go right to Barranco camp, but also climbers who don't tolerate altitude well (poorly acclimatize). We proceed left with a gentle ascent to Lava tower, the highest point of today's ascent. There we rest and have lunch, spend about one hour and descend towards Barranco camp.
The descent is at first steep to the bottom of a small valley, then we ascend to another and then constantly descend to the camp. Here we bypass the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro. From the path, a view opens to the Barranco wall which we will climb tomorrow. As we descend, strange vegetation appears that delights us with its appearance.

Day 4: Barranco camp (3900m) – Karanga camp (3995m) - Barafu camp (4673m), 7.4km; 6:00h
Our route was 6 days, which means we skip sleeping in Karanga camp. The route that lasts 7 days includes sleeping in Karanga camp to rest as well as possible before the final ascent.
The first part of the route is a hiking treat, we climb up Barranco wall (also known as Breakfast wall). The ascent is steep, but not too technically demanding. Here we don't need poles because occasionally we need to help with hands. After about an hour, we climb to the top of Barranco wall and then in a series of descents and ascents descend to the valley before Karanga camp after which follows a steep ascent to the camp. There for the first time we see a board with notes about altitude sickness and how to react in case of any symptoms.
After lunch and rest, we continue to the ‘base camp’ as they call it. At first, the path rises steeply and is well trodden and marked with cairns (možinci). The path gradually climbs and a view opens towards Stella point on the left side. In front of us is a ridge to which we ascend and for the first time see Mawenzi, one of the three Kilimanjaro volcanic craters. The ascent to the ridge is somewhat steeper towards the end, we cross it and come to a steeper uphill just before the camp.
Here we rest as much as we can because at midnight awaits what we came here for.

Day 5: Barafu camp (4673m) – Stella point (5756m) – Uhuru peak (5895m) – Stella point (5756m) - Barafu camp (4673m) – Millenium camp (3950m); total 17km (6.8km ascent),
Today's day starts very early, we get up around 23:30, prepare and try to eat something, drink coffee and tea and around 0:30 head towards the summit. The path is more or less constant steepness, in switchbacks. At first somewhat steeper to Kosovo camp, there it flattens a bit and then with the same slope towards Stella point. The night ascent doesn't provide a view, so we walk behind the guide step by step, coordinate breathing with walking. Depending on the pace, sunrise greets around Stella point.
After about 6.5 hours of walking, we are at Stella point where the path flattens to a gentle ascent. From here we need about 1.5 hours to the summit with easy walking.
At the summit we stay about 15 minutes because of the high altitude. We briefly enjoy the view of the inner crater and Tanzania, take photos and return the same way to Stella point. There we start descending on the scree, a more direct path to the camp (left of the path we ascended) to which we arrive in about 2:30 from the summit. Here we rest, if possible sleep some time and after lunch descend to the lower camp. Usually it's Mweka camp, but we decided to sleep in Millenium camp. To that camp it took us about 1:30.

Day 6: Millenium camp (3950m) – Mweka gate (1640m), 12km; approx 4h

After breakfast, we start on a relatively steep path to the exit. At first steep path later flattens a bit although we still lose altitude very quickly. Flatter and steeper parts of the path alternate which can be strenuous if we have muscle inflammation. The surroundings quickly change from bushes to larger trees and finally to rainforest. After 3.5 hours we arrive at the road for off-road vehicles and after that we have another half hour walk to the exit.
There the main guide with one of us prepares certificates which are our confirmation of the ascent.

On the mountain, smoking and alcohol are not allowed and it is strictly forbidden to have drones.

Given the high altitude, it is important to move slowly according to what the guides suggest because slow and measured ascent is the key to success. The mountain is relatively simple to climb, but it should not be underestimated because of the high altitude.
On the mountain, the agency provides breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as water for drinking and basic washing.
For the ascent, a quality sleeping bag is needed because of low night temperatures (we used bags with -14°C comfort temperature). We also used bivy bags which prevent the sleeping bag from accumulating moisture, and with it we get some additional warmth. The agency provided sleeping pads.

Return to the hotel takes about half an hour where we go for a well-deserved shower.