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 6 DAYS MACHAME

6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro - Machame Route Pricing

1 Guest – USD $ 2290 Per Person

2 Guests – USD $ 1990 Per Person

3 Guests – USD $ 1880 Per Person

4 Guests – USD $ 1790 Per Person

           5 and more Guests – USD $ 1740 Per Person

ROUTE OVERVIEW

Known for being beautifully scenic, the Machame Route also has the best summit success rate. This route allows you to “climb high, sleep low”, giving your body time to adjust to the changes in altitude over several days. Climbs can take six or seven days; the difference between six and seven days Machame route is that with six days, you won’t camp at Karanga campsite, so you will walk for a longer distance to reach the base camp passing Karanga campsite.

The climb begins at Machame Gate, at an altitude of 1800 metres, with an approach to the southwest of the mountain. It passes through majestic rainforest on the first day, before continuing up the mountain to reach Shira Camp, where the Lemosho route joins from the west. From here you traverse the southern side of the mountain to Barranco via Lava Tower, and climb the Great Barranco Wall on your way to Barafu Camp. After reaching the summit, you will descend by the Mweka trail, rather than retracing your     steps along the ascent route.

The Machame route is nicknamed the ‘Whiskey Route’ as it is considered more difficult than the ‘Coca Cola Route’, the nickname for the Marangu route. In reality, it is not more technically difficult but is longer and in places steeper. The longer distance and the opportunity to ‘walk high, sleep low’ offer much better acclimatization and as a result a very high success rate.

ITINERARY: 6 DAYS MACHAME

ARRIVAL

All trekkers need to organize their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). From JRO we will arrange a private transfer to your hotel. That night or early the next morning you will meet your local ZAFS representative and have a full pre-climb briefing.

• Transport: Private transfer (1 hour, 45km)
• Accommodation: Hotel 

DAY 1

MACHAME GATE - MACHAME CAMP

The first day trekking begins at Machame Gate (1,640 meters). Typically you will drive from the town of Moshi to the gate, which takes approximately an hour. On the way you will get to see subsistence farming and the town of Machame. The first day trek on the Machame Route is a long one (~11km / 7miles) and takes approximately 5-7 hours to complete. We mostly supply packed lunch for this route and 2-3 litres of bottled water. This is the only bottled water you will receive. From here on porters will collect water from mountain streams. The day’s trekking ends at Machame Camp (2,835 meters) which sits near the border of the rainforest zone and the low alpine zone. By the time you arrive your porters will have already setup your camp and tents, and dinner will be served.

• Transport: Private transfer (0.8 hour, 30 km)
• Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours (11 km)
• Ascent: 1200 m
• altitude: 3000 m
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

DAY 2

MACHAME CAMP - SHIRA CAMP 2

On day two you will rise early, pack your gear and prepare for the trek from Machame Camp to Shira Camp 2 (3,850 meters). The trek is relatively steep as you enter the low alpine zone which is characterized by moorlands and grasslands. Shira Camp 2 sits on a plateau which provides you with the first views of Kibo in the North-West and Mount Meru in the East. Day two takes approximately 4-6 hours and covers a distance of 5km / 3miles.

• Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours (5 km)
• Ascent: 850 m
• altitude: 3850 m
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

 DAY 3

SHIRA CAMP - BARRANCO CAMP VIA LAVA TOWER

Day three is a long and tough trek east off the Shira Plateau through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’, up to Lava Tower and the Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters and then back down via the Southern Circuit to Barranco Camp (3,900 meters). After lunch we will descend to Barranco Camp, following the ‘walk high, sleep low’ golden rule of acclimatization. Our descent to Barranco Camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the

Western Breach and Breach Wall. The route is approximately 11km / 7 miles in length and takes 57 hours to complete.

• Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours (7 km)
• Ascent: 750 m
• Descent: 650 m
• altitude: 4600 m
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

 DAY 4

BARRANCO CAMP - BARAFU CAMP

After breakfast, you will begin to ascend the impressive Barranco Wall and hike glacial valleys – but don’t worry, it is easier than it looks! Lunch will be eaten at Karanga Valley, before joining the famous Mweka Trail. You will then continue along the rocky ridge for 1 to 2 hours before reaching Barafu Camp, which offers stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro’s summit from various angles. Your tents will be pitched along a narrow and rocky ridge with high winds. It’s therefore worth taking some time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings before it gets dark. Rest for the night at Barafu Camp and prepare for the upcoming hike to the summit.

Trekkers on the seven day route spend the night at Karanga Camp before continuing to Barafu on day 5. This additional day is beneficial in terms of acclimatization.

• Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours (7 km)
• Ascent: 750 m
• Descent: 280 m
• altitude: 4700 m
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner 

DAY 5

BARAFU CAMP - UHURU PEAK - MWEKA CAMP

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist, or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

• Hiking time: 12 - 14 hours (17 km)
• Ascent: 1295 m
• Descent: 2795 m
• altitude: 5895 m
• Accommodation: Camping
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

DAY 6

MWEKA CAMP - MWEKA GATE

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

• Transport: Private transfer (0.5 hour, 17 km)
• Hiking time: 3 - 4 hours (10 km)
• Descent: 1300 m
• altitude: 3100 m
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch

DEPARTURE

After a much-needed night’s rest, we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged airport transfers with us or a safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you in the morning for your onward journey.

INCLUDES

• 3-star hotel accommodation before and after your climb on a bed & breakfast basis (Sharing basis)
• Transfers to and from the mountain
• National Park entry, camping fees and Park rescue fees
• A fully supported climb (average ratio of support staff to climbers is 4:1)
• All meals and drinking water on the mountain
• Access to first aid kit and emergency oxygen
• A certificate documenting your summit ascent
• High-quality mess and sleeping tents with a comfortable foam mattress

EXCLUDES

• International flights and visas
• Tips for your guide and crew (USD 150 – USD 225 recommended per trekker as per industry average)
• Travel insurance (you must be insured for trekking up to 6000m)
• Your personal trekking gears
• Snacks on the mountain
• Meals and drinks NOT on the mountain
• Airport transfer USD 50 per trip (up to 4 pax) and USD 80 per trip (up to 9 pax)
• Private portable toilet (USD 15 per day – 1 Toilet can accommodate up to 5 trekkers)

OPTIONS

• Additional hotel nights before or after your climb
• Single supplement

ADD-ONS

• All Quality Mountain gears, and equipment can be rented
• Personal porter on the trip