Western Breach Route, Mount Kilimanjaro

Day 1: Machame Gate – Machame Camp

After breakfast at your accommodation your guide will pick you up to depart for Machame Gate, Approximately 1 hour drive from Moshi town. Upon arrival at Machame Gate your guide will work out on the climbing permit and authorities will weigh the porter’s luggage, whilst our chef prepares an early lunch for you, you’ll be able to explore this beautiful starting point. Immediately after clearing with the permits, porters weight check and lunch we will embark into the hiking trail that leads us through the beautiful rain forest of Mount Kilimanjaro. On arrival at Machame Camp our mountain crew will take care of the necessities and pitch the tents. Later in the evening enjoy freshly prepared dinner before retiring to your tent.

11 km

1,790 m – 3,010 m

5–7 hrs

Rain forest

Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Caves

After breakfast depart for Shira Camp, leaving the rain forest ascending to a steep rocky ridge towards Shira Plateau and its moorland. Upon arrival at Shira Camp you will enjoy your hot lunch and later in the afternoon you may opt to go for a short acclimatization hike with your guide before returning to camp for dinner and overnight.

5 km

3,010 m – 3,840 m

4–6 hrs

Moorland

Day 3: Shira Caves – Moir Camp

After breakfast we continue our ascend to Moir Camp. A short trek but important for a proper acclimatization, our team will set up for hot lunch at Moir Camp. You will be treated by extraordinary vistas on a good day at Moir camp. Later in the afternoon take a short acclimatization hike and return to camp ready for an early dinner and overnight.

6 km

3,840 m – 4,715 m

3–4 hrs

Moorland

Day 4: Moir Camp – Lava Tower

After breakfast depart for Lava tower camp at 4,600 amsl, we have a short day to camp arriving in time for a freshly prepared lunch. Lava tower is also famous for acclimatization, hikers trekking on the Lemosho and Machame route and proceeding to Barancco camp situated at 3,900 amsl.
Dinner will be served in time and you will retire to your tents for a proper rest as the ultimate challenge awaits.

4 km

4,715 m – 4,600 m

3–4 hrs

Alpine Desert

Day 5: Lava Tower Camp – Arrow Glacier Camp

The shortest day indeed after breakfast we will embark into a short trek for about 2 hours. The rest of the day will be spent for relaxing and allowing our bodies to get used to the altitude. Your guides will give you an early briefing and health check as in every evening.
Dinner and overnight at Arrow glacier camp.

1 km

4,600 m – 4,900 m

1–2 hrs

Alpine Desert

Day 6: Arrow Glacier Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp

An early start at around 06.00 am when the ground is frozen which allows for a safer trek through the short rock fall zone. You will summit in the late morning with most likely being the only party trekking on this epic route and having the summit all to yourself after all the hikers have left.
Uhuru Peak – at 5,895 m, the highest point in Africa! Take as many photos and embrace the moment and feeling of being on the highest point of Africa. The ascent takes approx. 5-8 hrs. After a rest at the top, we continue back down to Barafu via Stella point through Barafu base camp and all way into the rain forest where Mweka camp is located at 3,080 amsl.
Enjoy our last evening on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

4 km Ascent | 12 km Descent

4,900 m – 5,895 m – 3,080 m

5-8 hrs Ascent | 4-6 hrs Descent

Arctic | Alpine desert | Moorland

Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate

After breakfast depart for Mweka gate. The trek will be a short trek of 10 km downhill, which will take approximately 3-4 hours.
Upon arrival at the park headquarters at Mweka Gate we will collect our summit certificates, celebrate and our team will be ready to transfer you to hour hotel in Moshi.

10 km

3,080 m – 1,630 m

3–4 hrs

Rain forest