6 Days /5 Nights Machame Route:

Highlights;-

A slightly challenging but very scenic route

Accommodation: Tents

Standard Duration: 6 Days although an extra day at Shira or Karanga valley is recommended to help acclimatize. This is much quieter route as opposed to Marangu and involves a rather gradual ascent unlike that on Umbwe Route. The walking is rather strenuous.

1 Night each before and after the climb in either Moshi or Arusha

MACHAME ROUTE CLIMB ITINERARY

About Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro, located in East Africa is a sight to behold, even from a distance. It is the highest mountain in Africa, but the tallest free standing Mountain in the world. It rises from the coastal floor a whopping 19,336 feet into the air. It is not as steep or treacherous as climbing many of the higher elevations in the world, and the record speed to the top is around five hours, with the round trip record in just 8. It is the highest rising mountain in the African continent with the peak of over nineteen thousand feet (19000ft)above sea level. Among the freestanding mountains in Africa, it is the highest. The view of the Kilimanjaro National Park is also breathtaking, and you get a great view while climbing the mountain. There are six different routes to the summit, as well as more challenging routes for climbing.

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Overview
This is the third popular route on Kilimanjaro and involves much shorter approach to Kibo than the Marangu Route.
Accommodation: Tents
Standard duration: 6 days, the walking is quite strenuous with 1 night each before after the climb in Arusha or Moshi

Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport - Moshi/Moshi

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to Moshi. The rest of the day will be yours to enjoy at leisure. You will spend the night at the Sal Salinero Hotel or Mount Meru Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast

Day 2: Arusha/Moshi - Machame Gate to Machame Hut

The drive from Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once we reach the park gate, climbers are requested to make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging their packs containing the food, water, firewood, and other equipment. Make sure that you have all your daypack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. The guides will be pleased to assist with any additional information. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail to the first uniport hut, which is located at an altitude of 3, 048 meters. Lower down, 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 Hut. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy our dinner, and overnight. We have now reached an altitude of 3,100 meters.

Day 3: Machame Hut to Shira Hut

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge at 3,658 meters. Time for rest, dinner and overnight at the Shira Hut campsite. For acclimatization purposes,

Day 4:  Shira Hut to Barranco Hut

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the Sharks Tooth.- Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 meters. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 meters. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation, as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Day 5:  Barranco Hut to Barafu Hut

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (4200m), and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. We continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4,600 meters. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position. This section can also be divided into 2 separate days, where an in between camp will be made in or near the Karanga valley. This makes the summit day a lot easier.

Day 6:  Barafu Hut to Summit and Mweka Hut

Early morning, we continue our way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5,985 meters. This part of the climb takes about 6 hours. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite at 3,100 meters. This part of the descent takes about 5 hours. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Beer and soda may be available for purchase at the Mweka Hut - the only place on this route.

Day 7:  Mweka Hut to Arusha.

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. 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 raingear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

Day 8: Transfer to the airport

End of tour.

 

ENQUIRE

 

Cost Includes:

  • All transport by private vehicle to and from the mountain
  • Accommodation as detailed on the itinerary.
  • Services of a private mountain guide, cook and adequate porters to carry both trip provisions and client's private bags.
  • National Park entrance, accommodation and camping fees.
  • All food and catering equipment - breakfasts, lunches (packed when necessary) and evening meals prepared by our own cook. Special dietary requirements are catered for with prior arrangements at no extra cost.
  • Certificate of Achievement /appreciation from us.
  • Free storage of excess baggage not required on the mountain hike.
  • Crisis management apparatus - VHF 2-way radio, basic first aid kit and an on call vehicle.

Cost excludes:

  • Travel and personal accident insurance.
  • Visa, passport, vaccinations, medicines.
  • Personal Mountain equipment.
  • Tips.
  • Expenditure on alcoholic drinks, souvenirs and other personal items.
  • Optional excursions not detailed in the itinerary.
  • Additional optional accommodation added at the base hotel or extra days on the mountain added.
  • Treated drinking water other than boiled.
  • Extra costs incurred in case of own intentional change of itinerary while already on trek.

Note;- Porters to carry excess of 16Kg. personal luggage

 

Suggested Mountain Climb Equipment

  • 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 _ 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 medication
  • Wet wipes
  • Warm sleeping bag (3/4-season)
  • Sleeping bag liner
  • Trekking pole(s) - can be hired locally
  • Small towel
  • Head torch & spare batteries
  • Spare plastic bags
  • Water bottle(s) - minimum 3 litres capacity
  • High factor sunscreen & lip salve
  • High energy snacks, dried fruit, nuts, sweets, etc. NB: hang on to some till the last day - you-ll appreciate them more!
  • A small bottle of cordial or squash concentrate (to liven up the -flat- taste of boiled water)

 

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