Overview

CLIMB KILIMANJARO ON THE MACHAME ROUTE!

Take one of our Kenya safaris beforehand!

This trip starts and ends in Nairobi, Kenya!

Please note: This trip can be scheduled to coincide with our popular Safari in Kenya program that is best scheduled during "The Great Migration" (Late July-Early September). If you do a safari first- the Trek will begin in Nairobi right after your safari trip ends (Safaris typically end in Nairobi). 

The Machame route is the most beautiful route for climbing Kilimanjaro. All your equipment and supplies are portered and a cook prepares your meals. Where accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame route offers strictly tents only for a truly authentic trek experience. Less crowded than some other routes. The Machame route is also referred to as the “ Whiskey Route ” and it is better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, however rewarding him with a scenic splendor such as not seen on the Marangu route. There is an added benefit to this route, as you are afforded the most valuable commodity on the mountain and that is acclimatization. The Machame route takes you high to Lava Tower (4630m) on the day 3 and brings you down by nearly 700m for an overnight at Baranco Camp hence making you more familiar to the altitude and climate.

The Climb Takes 6 Days – It covers about 100 Kilometers!

Itinerary

The Itinerary

Day 1 Nairobi / Moshi

You will be picked up from your Nairobi Hotel and drive to Namanga Border, cross into Tanzania where our representatives will pick you up with picnic lunches and transfer you to your Hotel in Moshi. Special Welcome Dinner and overnight at Springlands Hotel.

Day 2 Machame Gate (1490m) – Machame Camp (2980m)

Breakfast.at hotel. Then depart early to begin trek. Hiking time: 7 Hours - Distance: About 18 Kilometers - Habitat: Montane Forest You drive from Moshi to the Machame Village , which is a 45-minutes drive.  The guides and porters prepare and pack supplies and your equipment in the village. You will receive a lunch pack and you can also buy mineral water in the village. Depending on the condition of the road it is possible to drive from the village to the Machame gate, but if not the muddy 3km walk will take about 1hour. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience. You will have a welcome lunch stop at about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon. Your porters will have arrived at the campsite before you and will have erected your tent on your arrival.  In the evening the porters will boil drinking water and the cook will prepare the dinner. Night temperatures can drop to freezing point at this campsite.

Day 3 Machame Camp (2980m) – Shira Camp (3840m)

Hiking time: 6 Hours - Distance: About 9 Kilometers - Habitat: Moorland You rise early and after breakfast you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due to West of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite at 3840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will be even colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing point.

Day 4 Shira (3840m) – Lava Tower (4630m) – Barancco Camp (3950m)

Hiking time: 7 Hours - Distance: About 15 Kilometers - Habitat: Semi Desert The route now turns into east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower , where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5-hour walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky screen path to Lava Tower (4630m), definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start feeling symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descend again by almost 680m to the Barancco Camping area and after reaching the high altitude of

4600m at Lava Tower , the true acclimatization benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barancco Camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall.  The Camp is situated in a valley below the breach and Great Barancco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner.                                                    

Day 5 Barancco Camp (3950m)–Barafuu Camp (4550m)

Hiking Time: 7 Hours - Distance: About 13 Kilometers - Habitat: Alpine Desert After spending a night at the Great Barancco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than what you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so you reach the Barafu Hut. The last water stop on the route is Karanga Valley , as there is no water at Barafuu Camp. Barafuu is the Swahili word for “ice”. Totally exposed to the ever present gales and tents are pitched on a narrow, stony and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include replacement of your batteries for the headlamp / camera. To prevent your water from freezing it would be wiser to carry it in a thermal flask. Go to bed at around 1900h and try to get some precious sleep.

Day 6 Barafuu Camp (4550m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka (3100m)

Hiking time: 8 Hours to reach Uhuru Peak – 7/8 Hours to descend to Mweka. Distance: About 7 km ascent – 23 km descent - Habitat: Stone Scree and Ice capped Summit

You will rise around 2330h, and after some tea & biscuits you continue into the night. You will head in a northwestern direction and ascend through heavy scree  towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6 hours walk to Stella Point is for many climbers a mentally and physically the most challenging hike. At Stella Point you will (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with a most magnificent sunrise (weather permitting) you are ever likely to see. From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Barafu from the summit takes 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest.and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3100m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner, and washing water will be prepared and drinking water, soft drinks and chocolates and beer is available from the camp office.

Day 7 Mweka Camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1980m)

Hiking Time: 3 Hours - Distance: About 15 Kilometers - Habitat: Forest After an early and well-deserved breakfast it is a short 3-hour scenic hike back to the Park gate. It is strongly recommended to pay your porters when you have reached the gate safely and not beforehand. At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5865m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will be served with a delicious hot lunch! You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower and dinner. Overnight in Springlands Hotel

Day 8 Nairobi

Transfer back to Namanga border with picnic lunches, cross border to Kenya, and switch to your private transfer for a late afternoon or evening departure flight from the Nairobi Intl airport (or if you are staying the night- to your Nairobi hotel)

What's included

COST PER PERSON

US$   2,290.00 per person 

US$   200.00 single room supplement

Included in the tour costs are the following:

·RT Transfers from Nairobi to Namanga (Kilimanjaro) to Nairobi

·Accommodation, meals, and drinking water as per the program.

·Hut Fees, Entry Fees, National Park fees, Climber permit fees

·Professional English-speaking Guide, Assistant Guide, 2 porters for each climber (15Kgs each porter).

·Rescue fees.

·6 days guided trekking on mountain with all meals included.

·USA based host for entire trip (minimum number of guests applies)

Not included in the tour costs are the following:

·Other meals not mentioned as included, items of a personal nature,

· Gratuities to Porters and Guide/s, the driver guides.

· Visa and visa fees for Tanzania.



Photos