Day 3: Climb to Machame Camp

MOUNTAIN ROUTE OVERVIEW

Our group will start climbing after registering in the National Park’s Climber Log and eating lunch. They’ll start hiking on a forest road through the rain forest – which is why it’s wet and humid climate where they start climbing. To the right and left of the road are Mount Kilimanjaro’s giant red germs and impatiens. The path will get narrower and steeper as it winds through the rainforest. After another hour of hiking, the landscape will start changing as they enter the moorland zone and approach their first camp. Upon arriving at camp, porters will welcome them with a tent that’s already pitched and hot tea with biscuits. After resting, they’ll debrief about the following day’s climb and eat dinner. If the weather is good, they’ll see a beautiful sunset and catch a glimpse of the first snow-capped peak of Kibo!!

MOUNTAIN ROUTE STATS

Starting elevation 6,000 feet

Ending elevation 9,900 feet

Elevation gain 3,900 feet

Distance hiked 6 miles

Average hiking time 6 to 7 hours

Our day began with another delicious breakfast buffet at the hotel. By 8:30, we hit the road—filled with excitement, nerves, and anticipation. 

After a two and a half-hour van ride we had arrived! Following final gear checks and photo ops, we crossed through the gate into another world. 

The seven hour, 10.8 mile trek through the Montane Rainforest painted scenes much like Avatar, Jurassic Park, or the Hunger Games as some described it. Our climb was surrounded by rich green moss, more vines than Tarzan could dream of, and ferns as large as palm trees. Our trails were also lined by two types of vibrant impatiens native to Mt. Kilimanjaro. 

After a few hours, we were pleasantly surprised to walk up to a lunch site that had been prepared for us. Lunch consisted of warm vegetable broth, fresh sourdough bread, fries, fried chicken, avocado & corn salad, tropical fruit juice, as well as fresh watermelon and sweet bananas. Not too shabby, huh?

Our pace is “pole pole” as they say and repeat to us in Swahili— aka slow, slow. This allows our bodies to acclimatize to each days’ elevation gain without shocking the body. 

About 30 minutes before camp, we got our first glimpse of the summit. While it looks very far away, we were encouraged by the beautiful sights to come. 

We arrived to camp after dark where our incredible team of 60 porters had our tents up, bags lined up, and food cooking. After enjoying another delicious meal—and sharing delirious laughs—it was a race to bed. Winner winner chicken dinner: Tom, who fell asleep at the table. 

A Swahili proverb has proved to be a tag line of our trip already: “haraka haraka, haina baraka.” Meaning: there is no blessing in the hurry. What a beautiful saying to encompass this journey and life. 

Here’s to enjoying the journey one step at a time. 

Journal Entry by Bailey Sims