If
Marangu is the “Coca Cola” route, then the Machame Route is the “Whiskey”
route. It is the second most popular and one of the most scenic routes on the
mountain.
All
climbers sleep in tents (tents are included) and meals are served in a dinner
tent or on a blanket outside.
It is
done over 6 days, so acclimatization is easier, and the success rate is fairly
high. It is for physically fit people with some hiking experience. Descent is
down the Mweka trail staying at the Mweka or Millennium camp the final night on
the mountain.
Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Machame Gate, Hike to
Machame Camp
Drive
from Moshi to Machame Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through
the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We
depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a
ridge. At lower elevations the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and
trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we
reach the Machame Camp.
·
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
·
Distance: 11km/7mi
·
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
·
Habitat: Montane Forest
·
Meals: LD
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After
breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending
path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west
onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.
·
Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
·
Distance: 5km/3mi
·
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
·
Habitat: Moorland
·
Meals: BLD
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
From
the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction
towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South
East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft).
Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow
Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day
around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for
acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
·
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
·
Distance: 10km/6mi
·
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
·
Habitat: Semi-desert
·
Meals: BLD
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
After
breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall
(elev 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev 4050m/13,250ft) to the
junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu
Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit
from many different angles. Here we make camp with views of the summit in the
distance.
·
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
·
Distance: 9km/6mi
·
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
·
Habitat: Alpine Desert
·
Meals: BLD
Day 5 : Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp
Very
early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit
between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction
and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is
the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella
Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most
magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the
sunrise from the summit.
From
Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the
summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount
Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From
the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp,
stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the
loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on
the mountain.
·
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
·
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
·
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
·
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
·
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
·
Meals: BLD
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi
After
breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your
summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and
trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear
(keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Tupo Africa
Tours vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to
your hotel in
Moshi (about 30 minutes).
Moshi (about 30 minutes).
·
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
·
Distance: 10km/6mi
·
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
·
Habitat: Forest
·
Meals: B
8 Days Kilimanjaro climbing Machame route (6 days on mountain)
GROUP SIZE
2 people |
GROUP SIZE
3 people |
GROUP SIZE
4-5 people |
GROUP SIZE
6-8 |
GROUP SIZE
9-10- |
$1 582
|
$ 1482
|
$1462
|
$1395
|
US$ 1372
|
Mount Kilimanjaro Includes
·
Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
·
2 Nights accommodation
·
Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
·
All Park fees
·
Rescue fees
·
All meals while on the Mountain
·
Arrival and Departure transfers
·
Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
·
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs:
·
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food:
·
Clean, purified drinking water:
·
Crisis management and safety procedures:
·
Fair and ethical treatment of porters:
·
Sleeping Mattress:
·
Emergency Evacuation by Flying Doctor Society of Africa:
Excludes:
·
Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival
·
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone,
beverages, etc.)
·
Meals not listed above
·
Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)
·
Tips and any items of personal nature.
