Kilimanjaro Machame Route (7 days)

Machame is probably the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. For this route, you don't need any mountain climbing skills, but you must be fit.

Porters will carry all your personal items, equipment and supplies and a cook prepares your meals.

As a tent experience, the Machame route (also known as the whisky-route) is better cited to more adventurous hikers who are rewarded with fantastic scenic wonders and great panoramas.

From late afternoon sunsets at Shira to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco wall. A photographer's delight!

An added benefit to this camping route is the most valuable commodity on the mountain acclimatization.

The Machame route takes you high to Lava Tower (4.600m) on the day 3 and brings you down by nearly 700m for an overnight at Barranco camp (3.900m). This is the secret to successful acclimatization.

For the 7-day route, add an additional acclimatization day at Shira Camp on the itinerary below (an extra day between day 3 and day 4).

On the extra day you can make a scenic walk towards Shira Cathedral. The extra day helps to get used to the high altitude.

1 Day 1 Kilimanjaro Airport - Moshi Town

Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport in the evening, meet and greet by your guide, then make a short transfer to Moshi Town (35 minute drive) to the hotel for an overnight. Briefing about the Kilimanjaro climb by your guide. Your Kilimanjaro guide will also check your equipment. Anything missing can be rented the next day.

2 Day 2: Moshi Town - Machame Gate - Machame Camp

Machame Gate (1.800m) - Machame Camp (3.000m)

Pick up from the hotel in Moshi Town, do some brief shopping around town before we leave the town and go to Machame Gate (1.800m / 5,900ft). Meet your Kilimanjaro team: guide, assistant guide, cook and porters. Start hiking from Machame Gate to Machame Camp. Today we walk through a mystic jungle, home to black and white colobus monkey, blue monkey and many exotic bird species. On our way we have our lunch and on arrival in the camp a hot dinner is waiting for you.

3 Day 3: Machame Camp – Shira Camp

Machame Camp (3.000m) - Shira Camp (3.800m)

Today we can see a beautiful sunrise, and Uhuru Peak in the distance. After breakfast we walk to Shira Camp for lunch and overnight. Today we leave the jungle and enter a new, open world with strange big plants, Giant Erica and Giant Heather. Optional walk to a beautiful viewing point in the afternoon. From this camp you have a fantastic view of the Summit.

4 Day 4: Shira Camp – Barranco Camp

Shira Camp (3.800m) - Lava Tower (4.600m) - Barranco Camp (3.900m)

Another beautiful day with different sceneries. We start walking in the morning and we enter into the moorland zone, with interesting vegetation with giant groundsels and giant lobelias, up to 5 meters high. We climb up to Lava Tower (4.600m / 15,100ft), a huge rock standing up right. We have a hot lunch on this beautiful point. After lunch we descend to our camp for dinner and overnight. This day will help you to get used to the high altitude, to increase our chances of reaching the summit.

5 Day 5: Barranco Camp - Barafu Camp

Barranco camp (3.900m) - Barafu Camp (4.600m)

Another beautiful day with stunning panoramas. We start the day with a steep climb of the Barranco Wall. An exhausting experience, but a fantastic reward when we are on top of Barranco Wall, a magnificent view of Uhuru Peak. We now enter the Alpine Dessert Zone. After lunch we walk to Barafu Camp for dinner and overnight. On our way we are rewarded with fantastic views of the glaciers and Mawenzi Peak (the second peak of Kilimanjaro).

6 Day 6: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp

Barafu Camp (4.600m) - Uhuru Peak (5.895m) - Mweka Camp (3.100m)

Your guide wakes you up before midnight and after a hot cup of tea and some biscuits you will start your trekking to the summit! When we reach Stella Point (5.700m / 18,700ft) we see a spectacular sunrise with Uhuru Peak in the background. We take a short rest to enjoy the spectacular view of the sunrise and Kibo Crater. We continue to walk on a relatively flat path, surrounded by beautiful glaciers, to reach the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (5.895m / 19,340ft). Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live! After taking photos we start to descend to our base camp, Barafu Camp (2 to 3 hours walk). We reach the camp, where we will have a rest and a good lunch. After lunch we descend the southern slopes of the Mweka route, to Mweka Camp (about 3-4 hours). Exhausted, proud and excited we will have a well-deserved dinner and very good sleep.

7 Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi Town

Mweka Camp (3.100m) - Mweka Gate (1.980m)

After a good night's sleep we start our final descend to Mweka Gate. We go through the misty and beautiful forest again, all the way to Mweka Gate. The monkeys say goodbye and we realize we are about to end this great experience. After getting our certificates we will celebrate our Kilimanjaro adventure with our guides, cook and porters. We all did a great job! Transfer to your hotel for your much-needed shower and very comfortable bed.

8 Day 8: Moshi Town – Kilimanjaro Airport

After a good night's sleep we wake up in our hotel where we will relax. Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home, or proceed with the second part of your Tanzanian holiday.

9 INCLUDES

Airport and destination transfers
Meals mentioned in your hotel
All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and drinks during the tracking
Accommodations (hotel and tents with sleeping mattress)
Knowledgeable guide, assistant guide, porters, cook
Rescue and entrance fees to the Kilimanjaro National Park

10 EXCLUDES

Flights
Visa for Tanzania
Insurances
Beverages
Personal things like sleeping bag, rucksack, footwear, other clothing etc.
Tips and personal expenses such as laundry and communication

11 KILIMANJARO EQUIPMENTS

Good equipment is vital for an enjoyable trip. The following is a list of basic essentials:

Sleeping Bag: A down or fiberfill sleeping bag rated at least "3 seasons", plus an insulation pad, such as "Karri mat", if camping.
Footwear: Good, semi-stiff walking boots are suitable for most walks.
Waterproof: A good waterproof jacket (with zip to assist ventilation) is essential. Waterproof trousers are optional.
Rucksack: A 50-65 pack without a frame is preferable in Machame routes.
Head Cover: A woolen hat or balaclava is invaluable.
Trouser & Shirts: Wool breeches are ideal, corduroy acceptable. Trousers should be as windproof as possible. Long sleeved shirts, preferable wool, plus two thin jumpers are probably as much as is required for a short trip. A duvet jacket is luxury to have.
Sun protection: A good sun cream, sun protection lip balm and sunglasses are essential.

12 Other useful equipment includes

Spare socks, shirt and trousers, mitts or gloves, torch, water bottle, small towel and wash kit, plastic bags, whistle and compass etc.

We can provide everything you need for your hike to the summit! We will check your equipment before the trekking and we will help you to get the right equipment when needed...

Ask use for a detailed list: eastafricasafarisceo@gmail.com

13 KILIMANJARO RULES 7 REGULATIONS:

To make the hike to the summit of Kilimanjaro as enjoyable as possible there are some general rules and regulations:
Hikers attempting to reach the summit should be physically fit
Children under ten years of age are not allowed to go above 3.000m (9,800ft) above sea level
Allow plenty of time for the body to acclimatize by ascending slowly
Drink 4 liters of liquid each day, water is the best but fluid, juices are good supplements
If symptoms of mountain sickness or high altitude diseases persist, please descend immediately and seek medical attention. Our rescue team is always stand by to render such services at most major huts/camp sites
Always go as a group. Never walk alone
Our experienced guides will always take care of you!

14 KILIMANJARO PHOTOGRAPHY:

Kilimanjaro is a photographer’s delight! During the trekking there are many great panoramas and landscapes

The summit of Kili is visible from many places

Near the summit:

To catch the first sunlight on the glaciers is a must!
Sunrise is a magical moment
Make your summit photos (you need a flash when you are very early)
After reaching the summit it is possible to go into the crater or to walk towards the glaciers
Don’t forget to make photos of yourself as well!