9 Days Kilimanjaro Trek Climbing The Machame Route Tour

Package Overview

Perhaps because the scenery is so spectacular with a wonderful variety of flora and fauna, this steeper route option for a Kilimanjaro trek is very popular. Over half of “Kili’s” climbers prefer this path to the summit.

Great for acclimatization, with the option of taking a different trail down for the descent, the Machame Route offers climbers a strong chance for a successful summit. Called the Whiskey Route because of its challenges, don’t be put off – this route will have you trekking through stunning forests, plus it boasts an unusually high success rate.

Emerging from those thick forests you’ll hike up through alpine moors to the Shira Plateau and then enter a moonscape in the Southern Ice Fields, ultimately making your final push to Uhuru Peak, the summit.

Already a well-modulated route, climbers can add another day to further increase their chances of success.

Along your climb, you’ll be staying in tents, which our porters will carry and set up for you. You’ll need appropriate gear plus a good sleeping bag and we’ve got a complete list for you below.

The truth is the Machame is a very scenic and popular trek but it can be challenging. However, if you are fit, the route’s great acclimatization properties offer the opportunity for a fantastic and successful climb.

Tour Highlights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Africa’s tallest peak (Roof of Africa)
World’s tallest free standing mountain

Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Kilimanjaro Airport - Moshi

  You’ll arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport where an Africa Kenya Safaris driver will greet you and bring you to the Springlands hotel (or similar) in Moshi. Dinner will be served and you’ll rest up on the first night of your Kilimanjaro adventure.

  • Themes Trekking
• Day 2 : Machame Gate to Machame Camp

  It’s climb day! We’ll be up early for a briefing about our climb, what your expectations should be, safety factors, and the general business of how the climb is organized. This will be followed by breakfast and then a 45-minute drive from Moshi (910 m/3,018 ft) to Machame village (1490 m/4,888 ft).
  
  There, you’ll see the guides and porters busy prepping the expedition’s supplies. Then it’s either a 3 km/1.8 mi walk or drive to the Machame Gate. You’ll complete the registration paperwork and set off on your ascent – our destination is the Machame Camp, a hike of about 5 – 6 hours.
  
  We’ll soon enter a lush rainforest with ferns, large trees, and possible sightings of black and white colobus monkeys. Don’t be surprised if it gets rainy here in the rainforest and the trails become muddy. That’s what a rainforest does.
  
  Arriving at your camp, the porters will have warm water for washing and the cook will have a delicious dinner waiting. Time to rest for tomorrow’s adventures but do bundle up as the nighttime temperatures can drop to freezing.

  • Themes Trekking
• Day 3 : Machame Camp to Shira Camp

  We’re on “Kili” now so the trick is to rise early and get our day going. We’ll have breakfast and begin our climb. After about an hour we’ll leave the forest and then enjoy a gradual ascent through scenic heathland.
  
  We’ll take a lunch and short rest, then continue up a rocky ridge to the Shira Plateau. Now opening up in the east, you’ll see the western mountain range with the glaciers of Kibu reflecting the sun’s light.
  
  Just a short hike to go and you will reach the Shira campsite at 3,840 m/12,598 ft. Warm water awaits and dinner will be prepared for you. Tonight’s temperatures may well drop down to below freezing.

  • Themes Trekking
• Day 4 : Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

  Today is all about acclimatization. You’ll climb about 700 m/2,296 ft today but tonight we will sleep at an elevation not too much higher than last night. This “hike high, sleep low” strategy will greatly help you adjust to the elevation.
  
  We’ll head out after breakfast onto a semi-desert stretch of rocky landscape, aiming for Lava Tower at 4,430 m/14,534 ft. The hike will be challenging and some climbers may feel the effects of the thinning air, becoming breathless, and possibly accompanied by headaches.
  
  After about a 5-hour walk, we’ll break for lunch near Lava Tower. And then we will actually descend some 680 m/2,230 ft to the Barranco camping area. This hike will take about 2 hours and along the way, you’ll enjoy the unique desert flora of lobelia plants and giant senecios. Great vistas of the Western Breach will open up providing lots of chances for some beautiful photos.
  
  We’ll arrive at Barranco Camp in a valley below the Breach and the Great Barranco Wall. Get ready for what should be a memorable sunset as you await a well-deserved dinner and rest.

  • Themes Trekking
• Day 5 : Barranco / Karanga Valley

  Today’s challenge is named Barranco, specifically, the Barranco Wall. This will also be a day for further acclimatization with lots of ascents and descents. Scaling the Barranco Wall will require some scrambling, using handholds for gripping and stability. This is still not a technical climb and we’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure your safety and success.
  
  You’ll reach the mountain ridge and witness panoramic landscapes of desert and forest below. After 3 – 4 hours we’ll arrive at Karanga Camp at 4,035 m/13,238 ft, with lots of time to rest and reflect on our journey. Your tents are pitched on a narrow, stony ridge, so please familiarize yourself with the terrain before sundown to avoid any mishaps.

  • Themes Trekking
• Day 6 : Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

  Enjoy a high-fuel breakfast before setting out for today’s goal: Barafu Camp. We’ll walk through a high-desert landscape with Kibu visible off to our left. After a 3 – 4 hour trek, we’ll reach Barafu Camp at 4,640 m/15,223 ft, where we’ll have an early dinner and get ready for the next section of the climb: the push to the summit.
  
  Before bedtime, you’ll prepare your gear and clothing for the summit ascent. Some practical notes: replace your headlamp and camera batteries now and bring along a spare set. Also, to prevent your water from freezing, make sure it’s in a thermal flask.
  
  We’ll crawl into our sleeping bags around 19h00/7:00 pm and get a few hours of rest before awakening in about 5 hours for our push to the top.

  • Themes Trekking
• Day 7 : Barafu Camp/ To Uhuru Summit and Descent

  We’ll make sure you are awakened at about 23h30/11:30 pm and get ready for the final ascent with tea and biscuits. And then, we head off into the night with only the moon and our headlamps to guide our way toward Stella Point on the crater rim.
  
  It will take us 5 – 7 hours to reach the Point and for many, this is the moment when they’ll be most tested physically and mentally. But finally, reaching Stella Point at 5,685 m/18,651 ft, we can take in perhaps the most glorious sunrise (weather permitting).
  
  From here on to the summit, expect snow for the next 2 hours on your way up to Uhuru Peak. And then…. you’ve arrived at the top of Africa; you’ve realized your dream, you’ve made it to the top of Kili. Take plenty of photos and savor this very special moment.
  
  We can’t linger too long as cold and fatigue might set in, so we’ll begin our descent back down to Barfu. This trek will take about 3 hours and we’ll enjoy a short rest there, have some refreshments, pack up the rest of our gear, and head down to Mweka Camp at 3,100 m/10,170 ft for dinner, rest, and our final night on the mountain.

  • Themes Trekking
• Day 8 : Final descent from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

  You’re certain to enjoy your final breakfast on the mountain after all you’ve accomplished. We’ll head down to the Mweka Gate, again trekking through the rainforest with more opportunities to spot colobus monkeys. We’ll reach Mweka Gate in about 2 – 3 hours.
  
  Then we’ll continue to Mweka Village where your Africa Kenya Safaris team will bring you to the Springlands Hotel for a warming and delicious hot lunch.
  
  You’ll overnight at the Springlands Hotel where you’ll appreciate a nice, hot shower!
  
  Tips are very much appreciated after your challenging ascent and we have a tipping guide below to advise on how to tip your guides and porters.
  
  This is also the moment when your climbing prowess is recognized. Those who reached Stella Point are issued green certificates. And those who reached the summit at Uhuru Peak receive their appropriately colored gold certificates.

  • Themes Trekking
• Day 9 : End of Tour and Travel.

  Fly back home or embark no wildlife safari
  Your Africa Kenya Safaris driver will bring you to the international airport. If you have decided to continue your safari with us in Tanzania then we’ll be on our way to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, or one of our other colorful wildlife parks.
  
  Kilimanjaro – There were probably some moments trudging up that hill when you had your doubts… but you made it. You’ve got the photos, the certificate, and the stories to prove your success. There will never be another moment like this. Congratulations!

  • Themes Trekking

Inclusions

• Hotel
• 2 Nights’ accommodation at Springlands Hotel – Bed & Breakfast Basis
• All park fees
• National Park approved guides and porters
• 18% VAT
• Accommodation on the mountain (Three-man mountain tents used for two people only on all routes except for Marangu Route as accommodation is in huts.) Stools, a mess tent and hot water for washing are provided on the mountain.
• Meals on the mountain
• Transport from Moshi at Springlands hotel to the Starting point of the mountain and return to Moshi at Springlands hotel
• Transfer to and from Kilimanjaro Airport ($20/person one-way)

Exclusions

• Transfer to and from Kilimanjaro Airport
• Transfer from Arusha per private car hire
• Tips to driver, porters and guide
• Visas
• Insurance
• Items of personal nature
• Climbing gear – sleeping bags, shoes etc.

Package Start From

• Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa

Terms & Conditions

This Tour is Offered by

• P. O. Box - 79708 - 00200
• XXXXXX9961 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@uniqueworlddestinations.com View Mail ID
• https://www.uniqueworlddestination.com

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