Mount Kilimanjaro via Machame Route
6
Days Tanzania Safari
Safari Overview
A beautiful route up Kilimanjaro that allows you to experience the southwest and south sides of the mountain, since you go up one way and down another. All your equipment and supplies are carried by porters and a cook prepares all your meals. Unlike the Marangu Route where you sleep in huts, on the Machame you sleep in tents (tents are included), and the porters will pitch your tent for you. Meals are served in a dinner tent or on a blanket outside. This makes the Machame, which is referred to as the “Whiskey Route,” better suited to more adventurous hikers, and it also rewards you with better views than the Machame Route. From late afternoon sunsets at Shira, to the misty revelations of Kibo’s great Barranco Wall, the Machame Route offers the spunky hiker a continuous scenic slide show. The Machame Route is normally completed in 6 days, and this greatly helps your acclimatization. The Machame 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). This intermediate ascent and descent is the secret to a successful acclimatization, and is the reason that this route has a high success rate. For the 7-day route, simply include the additional acclimatization day at Karanga Camp – day 5 on the itinerary below.
6
Days / 5 Nights
Safari in Tanzania
Camping Safari
DAY 1
Machame Gate (1490m) – Machame Camp (2980m)
Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 45-minute drive from Moshi (910m) to the Machame village (1490m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment in the village. Depending on the condition of the road, it is possible to drive from the village to the Machame gate, but if not, the muddy 3 km walk will take about 1 hour to complete. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent
DAY 2
Machame Camp (2980m) – Shira Camp (3840m)
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
At Kilimanjaro Shira Camp
You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast, you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike, you will reach the Shira campsite at 3
DAY 3
Shira (3840m)-Lava Tower (4630m)-Barranco Camp (3950m)
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
At Kilimanjaro Barranco Camp
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). Definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally at this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability, and headaches.
DAY 4
Barranco to Karanga Valley – Barafu Camp (4550m)
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
At Kilimanjaro Barafu Camp
Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep
DAY 5
Summit Attempt Barafu Camp (4550m)-Uhuru Peak (5895m)- Mweka
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
At Kilimanjaro Mweka Camp
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely.
DAY 6
Mweka Camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m)-Arusha.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
Upon request at extra cost
After Breakfast, From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy and long hour walk. In the Mweka village drive to your Hotel and you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! You now drive back to Moshi/ Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. . Tips can be given to the Guide at your hotel.
The Tour Price Includes
- Filtered water throughout the trek.
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain.
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate.
- Access to emergency oxygen and first aid kit.
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters.
- Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Kilimanjaro certificate for your successful summit attempt.
- Camping equipment – tents, sleeping mattress and camping furniture.
- Accommodation and meals per the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner).
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on day 1-5 and breakfast & lunch on day 6 of your trip.
- 3-4 porters per climber, which includes porters to carry up to 30 lbs of your personal gear.
- All Park fees, Rescue fees, Camping fees, and 18% VAT on tour fees and service which cost nearly 100% of the total cost.
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
- Luggage allowance for your main bag that will be carried by a porter, up to max. 15 kg. To make the porter’s life easier, we however strongly recommend to limit the weight of your main bag to 12 kg. For all bags exceeding 15 kg, you will need to pay for an extra porter.
The Tour Price Excludes
- Meals not listed above. eg dinner on the last day.
- International and domestic flights and departure taxes (Quoted separately where applicable)
- Tanzania Visa cost which is 50% except for Canadian and USA passport holders which is US$100.
- Pre & Post Accommodation in Arusha / Moshi, before and the next day after trek (Can be arranged upon request at an extra cost).
- Optional Tours (short safari/tour after your climb can be arranged upon request at an extra cost).
- Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra (US$100 per toilet + toilet tent)
- Mountain gears + Sleeping bag (can be rented, please ask us at the time of the booking).
- Inoculations and personal insurance (e.g. Tanzania Visa, Travel, Medical and Baggage insurance, A doctor for the group, Laundry, Souvenirs, Telephone, Beverages (available to purchase) and all other services that are not mentioned as included.
- Tips for the crew, which are mandatory on Kilimanjaro. The minimum amount is 15 USD per day per guide, 10 USD per cook per day and 10 USD per porter per day. We however strongly recommend a more correct tip of 25 USD per guide per day, 15 USD per cook per day and 15 USD per porter per day. All these amounts are to be divided by all group members.
- Holiday Surcharge : A supplement of US $ 40.00 per person per day will apply to all bookings on the 24th, 25th, 26th and 31 December and 1st January
- A supplement of US $ 35.00 per person will apply to all bookings between Friday 3rd and Monday 6th April (for all 4 days) as Easter holiday surcharge.
