Join us on this popular and beautiful route to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. Good option for acclimatisation.
Have I made it?!
Price: from £1395
Discounts available for 5 or more...contact us
This is a private departure...just you, your travel partners and your guide. You choose the dates...we'll make it happen
Included:
Airport transfers, All park fees, hut fees, accommodation, meals as indicated, services of guides, porters, cook.
Not Included:
Visas, travel insurance, flights, tips, extra drinks, sleeping bag and items of a personal nature.
Start: Moshi
Finish: Moshi
This is a popular route through beautiful steaming forest and very good for acclimatisation.
One benefit of the Machame route is its quick rise to relatively high elevations and a short ascent to the Lava Tower site before descending back to Barranco Camp on the same day. This adheres to the climber’s adage of “climb high, sleep low” and helps altitude acclimation. 
Where you going??!
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Moshi
Arrive in Moshi and overnight at our centrally located hotel. There will be an evening climb briefing at the hotel. There are 2 international airports, Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) and Nairobi Airport (NBO).
Transfers from both of these airports are possible however we recommend flying into Kilimanjaro airport as it is closer and thus transfers are considerably cheaper and you avoid the need to obtain a Kenyan visa.
Day 2 - Machame Hut BLD
Machame Gate to Machame Hut
Hike time: 5 hours
Camp elevation: 3100 m/10,200 ft
The Machame route begins from Machame Gate and we trek through the dense vegetation of the montane rainforest. The trail can be muddy so good boots and gaiters are advised. There are a number of short sections of steep climbs as we trek for 5 hours to our first campsite.
Machame camp is located at the edge of the forest and at the beginning of the moorland. We are treated to some great views of the mountain from here.
Day 3 - Shira Hut
Machame Hut to Shira Hut
Hike time: 7 hrs
Camp elevation: 3840 m/12,467 ft
We continue through increasingly sparse trees and bushes into moorland. Moist, lush, green hanging mosses cover the trees and offer an otherworldly quality to the landscape. After 7 hours of trekking we arrive at Shira Camp which is located on a small plateau in the high moorlands. The views here of Kibo and Mount Meru are breathtaking. White necked ravens can be seen throughout the day. There is also a set of small caves a short walk from the campsite known as the Shira Caves. You may begin to feel the effects of altitude now, so drink water and walk slowly.
Day 4 - Barranco Hut
Shira Hut to Barranco Hut
Hike time: 5 hrs
Camp elevation: 3860 m/12,700 ft
Day 3 on the mountain and we move from moorland to alpine desert with fewer trees and more rocks. Our elevation gain is limited today as we are effectively traversing from east to west. The highest point is the base of the Lava Tower at around 15,000ft after which the trail descends into the Barranco Valley. Our campsite tonight is perhaps the most spectacular with splendid views of Kibo and the valleys and rainforest below.
Day 5 – Barafu Hut
Barranco Hut to Barafu Hut
Hike time: 7 hrs
Camp elevation: 4600 m/15,091 ft
We begin with an ascent of the Barranco Wall, which in climbing terms is considered a scramble. At the top we are treated to memorable views of Kibo and the surrounding landscape. The undulating trail crosses a number of small streams before finally crossing the Karanga River
We follow the trail up and across a rocky zone finishing at the high camp of Barafu. We are now on inhospitable terain as very little vegetation can be found and rocks litter the ground around us. We turn in for the night as early as possible as we rise at around 11pm for our summit push. You must be eating and drinking as much as possible at this point to avoid any complications.
Day 6 Uhuru Peak - Mweka Camp
Barafu Camp to the Summit and then to Mweka Camp
Hike time: 11 hrs
Summit elevation: 5896 m/19343 ft
Camp elevation: 3100m/10170 ft
We rise around 11pm for our attempt on the summit of Kilimanjaro. Climbers typically take between 5 and 7 hours to reach the roof of Africa and cold weather clothing and headlamps will be very welcome. A fantastic time to climb Kilimanjaro is during a full moon making a torch redundant The first milestone, generally reached shortly after dawn, is Stella Point (18,652 ft/5,685 m), which is on the crater rim. Following Stella Point, the trail continues for another 30 mins to the summit - Uhuru Peak.
We descend to Barafu hut which takes around 4 hours depending on you “scree sliding” skills! After a short break at Barafu we continue downwards through alpine desert to Mweka Camp.
Day 7 Mweka Gate / Moshi
Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate
Descent time: 4 hrs
Final elevation: 1828 m/6000 ft
The final day, we trek through montane forest to Mweka Gate. Troops of black-and-white colobus monkeys can often be seen in the dense growth. We arrive back in Moshi for a well deserved hot shower and cold beer.
Day 8 Moshi
Your trip comes to an end after breakfast……
Extend your stay...
Zanzibar : Spend some time on the exotic island of Zanzibar. Dive and snorkel in the turquoise waters or sit back, relax and revel in your achievement.
Safari : You are in the land of the safari so why not stay a little longer and enjoy the abundance of wildlife on offer.
Mt Kenya : Fancy another challenge, climb to the summit of the 2nd highest mountain in Africa
Mt Meru : A great warm up to the mighty Kilimanjaro…recommended
Contact us for prices and further details.
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