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6 days Kilimanjaro Climb – Machame Route

Machame Route, Kilimanjaro
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Duration

6 Days

Tour Type

Specific Tour

Group Size

15 people

Languages

English

Overview

Machame Route has a nick name “Whiskey Route”, and despite the fact that is relatively short, it is not easy to climb. It is not technically difficult, but it is pretty strenuous, with many steep trails that require extra strength and physical condition to pass.

But, Machame is very rewarding route, with spectacular sceneries such are Lava Tower, Barranco Wall, Shira Plateu which is why this route is considered the most scenic one.

The route starts at Machame Gate, and thru the beautiful rainforest, heading West around Kibo. There are 6 and 7 day options to trek this route, but note that the shorter one does not include acclimatization day to get used to the high altitude conditions. Machame is also the route where you spend the nights in tents, and requires a lot of strengths to complete. Descend is at Mweka gate.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Machame Gate (1790m) – Machame Camp (3010m)
Day 1: Machame Gate (1790m) – Machame Camp (3010m)

The Kilimanjaro National Park gate is only a 1 hour drive from Stella Maris Lodge. You will be picked up after breakfast and make your way there for the start of your climb. Once you have arrived your guide will get started with the formalities (entrance forms) while you observe all the different teams and mountain crew getting ready for their expedition. It’s always a fascinating experience for clients to watch them load all the different items for the trip. As soon as everything is prepared your adventure will begin. The destination for today will be the Machame Camp which you should reach in about 5 – 6 hours. On route you will experience a wonderful rainforest with ancient trees, primeval ferns, liana & lichen to mention but a few. Another favourite to look out for on this day is the black and white thumbless colobus monkeys. Once you arrive at your campsite for the night you have time to relax before enjoying a well deserve dinner prepared by our own cook. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 2: Machame Camp (3010m) – Shira Camp (3845m)
Day 2: Machame Camp (3010m) – Shira Camp (3845m)

Although today is a shorter stretch then yesterday you will still have an early start which will allow you to reach today’s destination around mid-afternoon. The landscape changes dramatically from the green mountain rainforest into moor and heath land. You will have a beautiful view of the mountain range from your campsite which is situated at the Shira Plateau. The glacier of Kibo also lights up as the sun sets for the evening. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3: Shira Camp (3845m) – Lava Tower Hut (4640m) – Barranco Camp (3960m)
Day 3: Shira Camp (3845m) – Lava Tower Hut (4640m) – Barranco Camp (3960m)

Today is a good day for the body to acclimatize for the days to follow. You will climb roughly 700m but will sleep on a level not much higher than the night before. We will start at Shira Plateau and make our way up to Lava Tower at around 4640m, after a rest we will continue through the Barranco Valley until we reach our destination for the day the beautiful Barranco Camp. Today’s trek will be approximately 6 – 7 hours, during which time you will experience the alpine desert as well as the Barranco Valley with its small lobelia plants and giant senecio’s. You will sit down for a well-deserved dinner before it’s time to rest in preparation for the next day. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3960m) – Barafu Camp (4640m)
Day 4: Barranco Camp (3960m) – Barafu Camp (4640m)

The first section of today’s route is to scale the ‘Barranco Wall’. Use your hands and feet. Safety is paramount and you will be secured if necessary, but it looks more daunting than it actually is. The trail continues with many up and down sections, crossing a few streams, winding and climbing stopping for lunch in the Karanga Valley. After lunch there will be another 2 – 3 hours climb before you reach Barafu Camp (4640m). Tonight, drink a lot of fluids, try to eat and go to bed early to rest enough before tomorrow’s summit trek. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 5: Barafu Camp (4640m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m)
Day 5: Barafu Camp (4640m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m)

You will be woken in the midnight hours with a cup of tea and a biscuit. Dressed warmly and geared with a headlight and your daypack you will set off in the darkness. After 5 – 7 hours of ‘pole pole’, you will reach the rim of the crater, Stella Point. Another one to two hours of going slowly along the crater’s edge and you will arrive at the summit – Uhuru Peak (5895m). Looking down over the surrounding landscape below in the early morning light, will make you feel on top of the world. You have now reached the ‘Roof of Africa’. The descent should be easy but dusty, as the volcanic ash will now have defrosted. Returning on the same route you should arrive at Barafu Camp within a few hours where the porters are waiting with food and tea. Resting for an hour or two, you will continue down to reach Mweka Camp (3080m) for your overnight stay. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 6: Mweka Camp (3080m) – Mweka Gate (1630m)
Day 6: Mweka Camp (3080m) – Mweka Gate (1630m)

After breakfast you will have a traditional farewell ceremony from all your mountain crew. After a short 2 – 3 hours walk through the rainforest our driver will be waiting for you at the Mweka gate. You will then be transferred back to Stella Maris Lodge for a well deserved shower, a cold drink, a debrief and the awarding of your certificate of achievement. The rest of the day is yours to relax and to reflect back on this once in a lifetime experience. Breakfast.

Included/Excluded

  • Two nights bed and breakfast accommodation in Moshi Town
  • Full board accommodation on the mountain
  • All park fees
  • Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, chairs, tables)
  • Oxygen cylinder - only for emergency
  • English speaking guide
  • Mountain crew (cook and porters)
  • First aid kit and pulse oximeter
  • Bottled drinking
  • Mentioned transfers
  • Sleeping bags
  • Gratuities
  • Beverage
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa fees
  • Flight
  • Laundry
  • All meals and drinks in Moshi town

Durations

Multi day

Tour's Location

Machame Route, Kilimanjaro
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