This is probably the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. All your
equipment and supplies are porter and a cook prepares all your meals.
Where accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame route
offers strictly tents only. This makes Machame(also referred to as the
``Whiskey route``)better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker,
however rewarding him with a scenic splendor such as not seen on the
Marangu route, from late afternoon sunsets at Shira, to the misty
revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco wall, the Machame route is
normally completed in a minimum of 6 days. There is an added benefit to
this, as you are afforded the most valuable commodity on the mountain –
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 barranco Camp (3950m). This is the secret to successful
acclimatization.
Day One: Machame Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Machame
Camp (3,000m/9,840ft) Elevation Gain: 1,200 meters, 3,935 feet
Distance: 10 kilometers
At 9am, leave Moshi for Machame Gate,
where you will meet our porters, guides, and cooks that will spend the
next seven days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa.
Once you arrive, wait at the gate while we register your climb and the
porters and guides make final preparations. Your first day's destination
is Machame Camp. Each day, porters and cooks will walk ahead to set up
the camp in time for your arrival. On the first day, hike through the
moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro's cloud forest. The forest will thin
at the end of the hike and vegetation will change to include heathers,
tall grasses and wildflowers. If the weather is clear, view the
surrounding area and your ultimate destination, Kibo Peak.
Day
Two: Machame Camp (3,000m/9,840ft) to Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft)
Elevation Gain: 840 meters, 2,760 feet Distance: 7 kilometers
Although
considered to be the easiest day on the Machame Route, today's trek
includes several uphill sections. Carry plenty of drinking water, as the
exposed hike can be hot on a clear day. There are several viewpoints
from which you can see the plains and forests below and Kibo and Mawenzi
peaks above. As you gain altitude, notice the change in vegetation. The
trees diminish in size, giving way to Kilimanjaro's famous high
altitude plants, Scenecio kilimanjari and Lobelia deckenii. After eating
lunch, climb the Shira Plateau, created when Kibo's lava flows filled
the Shira crater. Continue to Shira Camp, where you will relax for the
rest of the day. Kibo lies to the west and Mount Meru to the east.
Day
Three: Shira Camp (3,840m/12,600ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft)
Total Elevation Gain: 690 meters, 2,264 feet Distance: 10 kilometers
Although
this up and down day ends with an elevation gain of only 110 meters, by
early afternoon you will have climbed 690 meters to a height of 4,530
meters before beginning your descent to Barranco Camp. This day is
crucial for acclimatization. After breakfast, hike east on the Shira
Plateau before reaching the junction for the Shira and Lemosho Routes.
Continue on through the barren landscape before stopping for lunch.
Shortly after lunch, reach the highest point of the day before
descending quickly to Barranco Camp. Faster hikers can take a detour via
Lava Tower, a 300-foot lava formation jutting out of the mountainside.
Barranco Camp, set among stands of Senecio kilimanjari, is considered to
be the most scenic campsite on the Machame Route.
Day Four:
Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,960ft) to Karanga Valley (4,200m/13,780ft)
Elevation Gain: 250 meters, 820 feet Distance: 7 Kilometers
Leave
Barranco Camp after breakfast for Karanga Valley. The day begins with a
1.5 hour scramble up Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day
and in some places you will have to use your hands to pull your body up.
After reaching the top make a short descent into the greener Karanga
Valley. We generally camp on the ridge above the valley to allow for
greater acclimatization.
Day Five: Karanga Valley
(4,200m/13,780ft) to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) Elevation Gain: 400
meters, 1,320 feet Distance: 6 kilometers
After breakfast, begin
the hike to Barafu Camp. On the way to Barafu, view several of Kibo's
glaciers as well as the junction that connects the descent route, Mweka,
with the Machame trail. During day four, hike by the Heim, Kersten and
Decken Glaciers. Although the trail to Barafu passes through alpine
desert with little vegetation, Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo
and Mawenzi peaks. Try to sleep as soon as you finish dinner as you
will awake before midnight for your summit hike.
Day Six: Barafu
Camp (4,600m/15,100ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Mweka Camp
(3,100m/10,170ft) Elevation Gain: 1,295 meters, 4,240 feet Elevation
Loss: 2,795 meters, 9,170 feet Distance: 18 kilometers
Around
midnight, begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in
Africa. For the next six hours, hike by the light of your headlamp. The
ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire
trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Stella
Point. The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and,
as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the
hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately one hour.
Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak
before beginning the descent to Mweka Camp. On the way down from Uhuru,
enjoy views of the mountain, crater, clouds and glaciers. At Barafu
Camp, eat breakfast and take a short break. You still have another three
to five hours to go before reaching Mweka Camp.
Day Seven: Mweka
Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,500m/4,920ft) Elevation Loss:
1,600 meters, 5,250 feet Distance: 10 kilometers
After breakfast,
finish the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate. Your last hike on
Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro's cloud
forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be
slippery. Our vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka
Gate to take you back to Moshi.
Our price includes
• Full briefing before you trip
pulse ox-miter
• Park fees
• Camping fees
• Camping equipment
• Rescue fees
• Food (3 meals per day)
• Water
• Salaries (guide, cooks, porters)
• Transport to and from the mountain for yourselves and the crew
• Lunch box for the first day
• Crew park fees
• Certificates of achievement
• Sleeping tent, mess tent ,camping chairs and table
• Airport transfer 2 ways Complimentary
.2 night at hotel 1 before trekking 1 after trekking!!
Our price excludes the following
• International flights
• Visas
• Travel insurance
• Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic beverages
• Additional personal equipment
• Gratuities
• Additional activities for after the climb e.g. safaris, waterfall visit, massage etc
Book your trip now to save 20%discount.
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