Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro can be one of the most rewarding experiences in Tanzania. Apart from taking the challenge,there are so many life lessons that you shall learn and I believe they will make you a better person. The Machame route is one of the routes that shall take you up to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The routes shall enable you to experience the southwest and south parts of the mountain since you go up one way and down the other way. You will have a porter and cook during your journey to help you will carrying all the equipment and cooking for you respectively. With the Machame routes, you shall sleep in tents and it shall be the responsibility of the porter to pitch it for you and dinner shall always be served in the tent. The Machame route is a rewarding route especially for the adventurous hikers as it shall offer you better views than other routes. The late afternoon sunshine at Shira to the misty kibo’s great barranco walls all over amazing and breath-taking views; the route normally takes 6 days to reach the summit and this helps in your acclimatization. One of the reasons why the route has a high success rate are the intermediate ascend and descend during the route, Route takes you high to Lava Tower (4,630 m/15,190 ft.) on day 3 then brings you down for an overnight at Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,960 ft.).
Day 1: airport transfer to mountain inn lodge.
Once you arrive at Kilimanjaro international airport, you shall be transferred to mount inn lodge to have a great rest. This is where you shall have dinner and an overnight stay. Here you shall make all the necessary preparation to ensure, you are ready for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing. Check to make sure that you are equipped with all the necessities.
Day 2: Machame Gate (1490 m) to Machame camp (2980 m), Hiking time: 7 hours.
You shall start with an early morning briefing, and then breakfast, which shall be followed by a drive from Moshi (910m) to the Machame village (1490m). Depending on the weather condition, it is possible to drive from the Machame Village to the Machame gate. However if’s a rainy season, you shall have to walk this muddy and soggy 3km route for about 1 hour. Once you arrive at the gate office, you shall register and start you climbing adventure, you shall start ascending into the rain forest. There is a possibility of rain within the forest; you must be ready for the challenge. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at Machame campsite. Machame Gate (1490 m) – Machame camp (2980 m), Hiking time: 7 hours.
Day3: Machame camp (2980m) – Shira camp (3840m), Hiking time: 6 hours.
Early in the morning, you shall rise up ready for the next challenge. And after breakfast, you shall climb to the top of the forest and then for about 2 hours, you shall move at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. You shall take a short break and have lunch, and after, you shall continue to up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau which shall give you a clear view of the eastern direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. At this point, you shall be in the west of kibo and after a short hike,you will reach the Shira campsite at 3 840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
Day4:Shira (3840m) to Lava Tower (4630m) and Barranco camp (3950m), Hiking time: 7 Hrs,
Distance: About 15 km’s – Habitat: Semi-desert
This is one of the toughest days of the entire route. It is on this day that some mount climbers feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches. Much as it is challenging day, with the help of our team, everything is always catered for and you will just enjoy the experience. The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m). After lunch and some good rest, you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower. Descending to the Barranco camp shall offer you great stunning views of the western breach and the breach wall. Be ready to take some amazing photos. The camp is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which shall provide you with a great sunset views as you wait for the preparation of your dinner and overnight at Barranco Campsite.
Day5: Barranco to Karanga Valley – Barafu camp (4550m), Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: About 13 km’s – Habitat: Alpine desert
Look around and get used to the surrounding as you shall be ascending at night to the summit. The summit shall be now a further 1345m up. Make all the necessary preparation as you get ready for the summit climb. Make sure that ski stick, the thermal clothing, the camera and the headlamp are all in order. To prevent freezing, it is better to carry some hot water in a flask. The cook shall make all the necessary preparations for you. You will go to bed at around 19h00 and t get some rest for not more than 5 Hours.
Day 6: Summit Attempt and descent to Mweka.
Barafu camp (4550m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) and then to Mweka (3100m), Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka,
Distance: About 7 km’s ascent – 23 km’s descent, Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
This is the day for you to make memories as you journey to the summit. Rise up like a lion and get ready for adventure. You will arise around 23h30 and take some simple tea and snacks like biscuits. . You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. The walk to Stella point is mentally and physically challenging for many climbers however this is almost like the last route to the summit; give it your best energy. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and you enjoy the sunrise and the magnificent views. From the Stella point to the Uhuru peak, you shall encounter snow all the way unto this 2-hour ascent. And after 2-hours, you shall be at the summit, uhuru peak. The time to spend at the summit practically depends on the weather conditions however it is always advised not to spend all of time as you could easily get cold and fatigued. After series of magnificent photos, you shall walk from the summit to Barafu for about 3 hours. You shall continue to Mweka camp (3100m) for Dinner and Overnight.
Day7: Mweka camp (3100m) to Mweka Gate (1980m) Hiking or Descend time: 3 hours,
Distance: About 15 km’s Habitat: Forest.
This 7 day shall mark the end of an extraordinary and rewarding experience. After breakfast, you shall move from Mweka camp to Mweka gate and then to Mweka village. You shall then be driven to Moshi until Springlands hotel for lunch. This is where you shall be rewarded with a climber’s certificate. Those who were successful at reaching the summit ,Uhuru peak(5895m), receive a gold certificate and those that reached at the Stella point 5685m receive green certificates.
The tour price includes:
Accommodation in Moshi, and transportation, Qualified guides with mountain crew, National park fees, Tents and sleeping mattresses, Cutlery / Crockery / Eating utensils, Mess tent (for dining) / Mini camping chairs / Tables / Candles, Rescue Fees, Pulse Oximeters, First aid kit, Guides, porters, cook, waiter salaries, Boiled water on the mountain, All meals on the mountain and accommodation and entry fees for guides, porter, and waiter.
Excludes:
Airport transfers, Guides, Porters, Cook & Waiters tips, Meals and drinks not specified, Gear for your climb, Items of personal nature, Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included, Visas, Emergency oxygen.
