Machame Route (9 DAY)
Kilimanjaro Machame route is a 7 day trek starting at Machame gate and ascending via Stella Point. There is a night time ascent to the summit. The trip is fully supported with spacious guest tents, mattress and pillow as well as a mess tent with lightweight tables and chairs and all cutleries. Our trips also include a toilet tent in camp and most importantly, knowledgeable professional guides that go through bi-annual training. Our logistics team at our base monitors your trip from start to finish.
DAY 1 – ARUSHA
On arrival you will be personally met by one of our representatives and transferred to Arusha to a hotel. In the afternoon there will be a full briefing with the climbs Manager and your guide. Dinner is included at your hotel.
DAY 2 – MACHAME
After breakfast you will depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro. At the gate your crews finalizes packing and after finishing with formalities you will start hiking from Machame gate (6000ft). This day hiking is through mountain rain forest to Machame camp (10000ft) and on route you have a picnic lunch. Look out for pretty endemic flora and a gradation of forest zones!
Overnight Machame Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner)
DAY 3 – SHIRA
From Machame camp you hike through heath zone to Shira Camp (12500ft). The first section is relatively steep and altitude is gained rapidly. Picnic lunch is taken on the trail. The zone you pass through is known as the heath zone where attractive Helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Various geologic features can be seen from lava tubes to glacial valleys.
Overnight at Shira Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner)
DAY 4 – BARRANCO
This day is trek high sleep low. You ascend into alpine desert and for those that are feeling strong you can even head up to Lava Tower (15200ft) before descending to Barranco camp (13000ft). Lunch is taken as picnic lunch on route. This is long day but note that, the next time you head to this altitude is in two days’ time – great acclimatization day!
Overnight Barranco Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner)
DAY 5 – KARANGA
From Barranco camp, famous for its’ giant groundsels (Senecio species), you ascend the Barranco wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga camp (13,500ft). This day is a relatively short day hiking and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. In the afternoon a walk can be taken with your guides for great views of the Southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys – acclimatization walk.
Overnight Karanga Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner)
DAY 6 – BARAFU
This day is another half day ascending to Barafu camp (15,200ft). Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the evening.
Overnight Barafu Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner)
DAY 7 – MWEKA
Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence is the name of game to reach the summit and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive at the rim (Stella point- 19,000ft). Ascending from Stella Point affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru peak (19340ft) the roof of Africa! What goes up must come down and your goal today is to reach Mweka camp (10000ft) on your way down the Kilimanjaro Machame route.
Overnight Mweka Camp (breakfast – lunch – dinner)
DAY 8 – ARUSHA
After breakfast you descend once again through mountain rain forest to Mweka gate 5600ft around mid-day. After saying farewell to your crew, you will be picked up (by a car) and transfer back to your hotel for a well-deserved shower!
Overnight at the Hotel in Arusha (breakfast – lunch – dinner)
DAY 9 – DEPART
This day a day room is held to allow you to relax and check out later in the day. A vehicle is on hand to transfer you to the airport to connect with your international flight, or you may connect with further programs (Eg. Extension to a Safari or Zanzibar for Beach Holidays).
7 days plus 2 days spent at Hotel/Lodge
What to Bring
Clothing:
- T-shirts (synthetic materials are best as cotton retains moisture)
- Waterproof thigh-length jacket (Goretex or similar)
- Gloves (waterproof warm outers + thin liners)
- Warm hat (or balaclava) that covers the ears
- Waterproof walking boots (well broken-in)
- Waterproof outer trousers with a warm mid-layer (fleece or down)
- Warm long-sleeved shirt
- Warm walking trousers (not jeans!)
- Thermal underwear
- Walking socks (several pairs)
- Walking shorts
- Trainers or soft shoes for relaxing
- Sun-hat
- Gaiters
Equipment:
- Glacier glasses (or good quality sunglasses preferably with side shields)
- Personal first aid kit & essential medications
- Wet wipes
- Warm sleeping bag (3/4-season)
- Sleeping bag liner
- Trekking poles (they are available locally)
- Small towel
- Head Torch/ Head Lamp and spare batteries
- Spare plastic bags
- Water bottle(s) (minimum 6.3 pint or 3 liters capacity)
- High factor sunscreen and chap stick
- High energy snacks, dried fruit, nuts, and sweets
- A small bottle of cordial or squash concentrate (to liven up the flat taste of boiled water) or electrolytes
Tipping
Tipping is an accepted part of life in Tanzania, and you will be expected to tip to reward the climbing crew appropriately to keep them motivated to work at their highest ability. You will be briefed on arrival as to when and how much is appropriate, however, depending on the size of your group you should budget on a personal contribution of around $100-$150 for your trek guides, cooks and porters who accompany you on the trek. This does not include the company group leader naturalist guide. Our naturalist guide receives $50 per client. He is the most highly trained person on the trek team.
Includes:
- Trained Kilimanjaro guides
- All relevant Kilimanjaro Park fees & rescue fees
- Emergency medical evacuation
- All accommodation as described in the itinerary
- Transfers as described in the itinerary
- Drinks on the hike (potable water, tea, coffee & hot chocolate)
Excludes:
- International flights
- Entry visas
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Alterations to this itinerary (i.e. if different accommodations and services are provided then the price will most likely vary up or down)
- Airport departure taxes (unless stated)
- Laundry
- Beverages in hotels (except those in your personal safari vehicle)
- Hospital bills and international evacuation in the event of an emergency
