Phone:
+255 755 879 484

Email:
info@tz.kilitwende.co.tz

Address:
P.O.Box 2122 Moshi - Tanzania

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Kilimanjaro Trek 7 Days Machame Route

Special Tour 7 days
Machame Route, Tanzania Tour Guide: KiliTwende

Trek Overview:

The Machame route is considered a difficult, steep, and challenging route. It is also referred to as the “Whiskey route.” It is more appealing to adventure-seeking hikers who also look for better scenery, which is not on offer on Marangu. It is better suited for more adventurous people with some high-altitude, hiking or backpacking experience.

With higher success rate and the fact that the route can be completed in 6 days reflect its popularity. Machame approaches Kilimanjaro from the south-west side of the mountain and ascends to Shira Camp through the dense rainforest before heading south towards Barranco via Lava Tower. From Barranco, you climb the Great Barranco Wall and head to Karanga camp before continuing to Barafu camp. The final part of the ascend will be via Stella Point and the descend is through the Mweka route.

Even though Kilimanjaro can be summed up in 6 days through the Machame route, a total of 7 days should be set aside for trekking. This additional day makes a huge difference and improves acclimatization and subsequently the success rate. This also allows two easier days before you tackle long summit nights later on in the tour.

Accommodation on the Machame route is in tents only, as opposed to huts on the Marangu route. All your supplies, gear, equipment, and luggage will be carried by the porters, and meals will be prepared by chefs on the mountain.

Trek Highlights

  • Arrival
  • Day 1: Machame Gate (1490m/4,890ft) – Machame Camp (3000m/9,840ft)
  • Day 2: Machame camp (3000m/9,840ft) – Shira Cave Camp (3840m/12,595ft)
  • Day 3: Shira Cave Camp (3840m/12,595ft) – Lava Tower (4630m/15,090ft ) – Barranco camp (3,900m/12,800ft)
  • Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,800 ft) – Barafu Camp (4,673m15, 330ft)
  • Day 5: Barafu Camp (4,673m/15,330) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,350ft) – Millennium Camp (3,950m/12,950ft) –Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,200ft)
  • Day 6: Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,200ft) – Mweka Gate (1,650m/54,200ft) – Moshi (900m/2,950ft)
  • End

Inclusions

  • Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
  • Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the standard hotel in Moshi
  • Park fees, camp fee, rescue fees with newly government enforced 18% VAT from July 1st 2016
  • Transfers to/from the mountain gates
  • Expert guides, cook, assistant guides, and porters
  • Three meals a day during the climb
  • Bottled water on the first day of the climb boiled and filtered on the mountain
  • Entry fees, Camping fees, rescue fees and crew fees
  • Mountains 4 Season sleeping tents double occupancy
  • Sleeping mattress, foam, 1.5 inches thick
  • Mess tent, table, chairs and lanterns
  • Oxygen tank in case of emergency
  • Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent
  • Crew salaries (Guides, cook and porters)

Exclusions

  • Airfare
  • Beverages and food at hotel
  • Personal trekking gear
  • Laundry Services
  • A doctor for the group
  • Tips for porters, guides, cook and assistant guides

Day 0: Arrive Moshi/Tanzania

Upon arrival, you will meet and picked at Kilimanjaro International Airport with a KiliTwende Adventures representative followed by transferred to a hotel in Moshi, where you will meet with a Kilimanjaro Trekking guide for the Pre trekking briefing and equipment check up, then rest until the next morning for the starting trek.

Day 1: Machame Gate (1490m/4,890ft) – Machame Camp (3000m/9,840ft)

Distance: 11km
Environment: Montane forest
Time: 5 to 6 hours

Start in the morning from the lodge in Moshi; you will make a way to the Machame gate on the south west side of Mt. Kilimanjaro (the drive takes 45 minutes). Arrive at the gate then complete all the park entry formalities and start your Kilimanjaro ascent. Rain at this zone is a strong possibility which leaves the trail muddy, soggy, and slippery. About midway, you’ll be served with a welcome lunch and reach Machame camping area in the late afternoon.

The porters and assistants will arrive at the campsite much before you and have erected the tents by you arrive. Water for washing and drinking will be prepared in the evening. Later in the evening dinner will be served before you retire to your tent for overnight. Night temperature at the campsite will drop below freezing point!

Day 2: Machame camp (3000m/9,840ft) – Shira Cave Camp (3840m/12,595ft)

Distance: 11km
Environment: Montane forest
Time: 5 to 6 hours

After breakfast, you’ll start climbing for an hour or so to the top of the forest and then two hours on a gentler slope in moorland zone. After reach the half way, you will continue up to Shira Plateau through a rocky ridge.

You’ll be able to see the Western Breach and its stunning glaciers as you head in an easterly direction. You’re now standing on the west of Kibo and will reach Shira Cave Campsite located at 3840m/12,590ft shortly. Boiling water, lunch and dinner will be prepared by chefs at the campsite. During night hours, the temperature drops below freezing point and hence is colder than previous night.

Day 3: Shira Cave Camp (3840m/12,595ft) – Lava Tower (4600m/15,090ft ) – Barranco camp (3,900m/12,800ft)

Distance: 12km
Environment: Semi Desert
Time: 6 to 8 hours

The route then takes an east turn and enters a semi-desert and rocky environment which surrounds the Lava Tower at an altitude of 4600 meters. Walking for approximately 4 hours will get you there. Enjoy lunch at Lava Tower, before descend down to Barranco Camp.

This is by far the toughest day on the mountain and it around this point where some climbers report experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness like irritability, headaches, and breathlessness.

The Barranco camp is located just below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall inside the valley, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner.

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,800 ft) – Karanga Camp (3,995m/13,100)

Distance: 7 km
Environment: Alpine Desert
Time: 4 to 5 hours

Today the Barranco Wall stands before you to conquer. Some stages will require you to use your hands for a better grip, but no actual climbing is necessary and your guide will be with you every step of the way to provide a helping hand.

The route with its numerous ascents and descents allow you a chance for further acclimatization, before reaching the mountain ridge. Walking along the ridge you can take in the beautiful landscape with its stunning contrasts of desert and vegetation, before finally reaching the cloudy Karanga Camp. Your trek will take between 4 to 5 hours, leaving more than enough time to rest and play a game of rummy.

Day 5: Karanga Camp (3,995m/13,100ft) to Barafu Camp (4,673m15, 330ft)

Distance: 4km
Environment: Alpine desert
Time: 4 to 5 hours

Awakening to the sunlight dancing off the Kibo Summit, you will enjoy an energetic breakfast before setting out to today’s destination – the Barafu Camp. Most of the day will be spent walking through very dry deserted terrain, with Kibo ever present on your left side.

After 3-4 hours you will reach Barafu Camp, where you will have an early dinner and overnight as the highlight of your trip is only a few short hours away.

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,673m/15,330) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,350ft) – Millennium Camp (3,950m/12,950ft) –Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,200ft)

Distance: 18 km
Environment: Alpine desert/stone scree/ice-capped summit/Montane forest
Time: 14 to 16 hours

You will start early, around 11 pm or midnight.  Ascend to the Stella Point which is located at the rim of Kilimanjaro’s crater. From there, you can see the sun rise over the peak of Mawenzi, and after a short break, you’ll ascend further to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.

Descending from the peak will lead you to Barafu camp for a short rest, after the meal and some rest, and then continue down to Mweka camp to sleep overnight.

Depends with how you will be feeling, you will sleep at Millennium camp instead, so less descent today, but means more descent tomorrow.

Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,200ft) – Mweka Gate (1,650m/54,200ft) – Moshi (900m/2,950ft)

Distance: 10km
Environment: Montane forest
Time: 3 to 4 hours

The final ascend of your amazing Kilimanjaro trekking adventure begins after your last breakfast on the mountain followed by a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. Then a gentle 3 to 4 hours’ descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate, where your transferring driver will be waiting for you to drive back to the Hotel accommodation in Moshi and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to rest, relax at the pool or celebrate your achievement.

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