6 days Trekking Machame route

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6 days

unlimited

Trekking

Any desired

short overview

Machame Route is the “Whiskey” route. It is the second most popular and one of the most scenic routes on the mountain. Our seven-day climb passes through some of Kilimanjaro’s most famous landscapes.
It’s an excellent route to the summit and one with very high success rates. The luxury climb offers 3m x 3m dome tents, thick mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, and a thermal liner for a comfortable night’s sleep, a separate loo tent, high-quality food, equipment and experienced English-speaking guides.
The climb starts at Machame gate, ascending through Afro-montane Forest and then into the heath zone and on to the edge of the remnants of the Shira volcano. The route circumnavigates the main peak, Kibo, passing some spectacular features such as giant steps and glacial valleys.
The final night-time ascent is from Barafu Camp, reaching Uhuru Peak via Stella Point. The descent is via the Mweka route. All our climbs provide a large staff including chief guide, an assistant guide, cook, and porters.

itinerary

Arrival

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet a Kilimanjaro Unforgettable representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay, cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.

Accommodation:

DAY 1 - Machame Gate Hike to Machame Camp

This morning, you will be driven to Machame Gate (1830 meters / 6000 feet) entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park, which takes about two and a half hours. You will be assisted with registering with the National Park authorities and will be required to show your passport.

Lunch will be prepared and served while the porters’ loads are being checked and the paperwork completed. Once everyone is ready, you begin the climb, trekking to Machame Camp (3050 meters / 9950 feet) this afternoon through the lower rainforest. Depending on the weather, this can be a tough first day.

You may see colobus and Sykes monkeys as you trek. You will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route, taking six nights to do so. All meals, snacks, hot drinks, water, and a completely private camp and staff are included in your climb.

Accommodation:

DAY 2 - Machame Camp Hike to Shira cave Camp

Today you trek slowly up the side of the Shira volcano, climbing out of the hagenia, Podocarpus and juniper forest as you gain height. The vegetation becomes visibly sparser, with high altitude plants taking over, and you enter the giant heather moorland zone later in the morning.

The gradient is relatively steep for about three hours this morning, but levels out considerably after this, allowing you to enjoy fantastic views of Kilimanjaro’s Western Breach if the weather is clear.

You stop for a picnic lunch on the way across the Shira Plateau, and arrive at Shira One Camp (3750 Meters/ 12,600 Feet) by mid-afternoon.

Accommodation:

DAY 3 - Shira Camp Hike to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

You will be trekking for between six and seven hours today, ascending to the alpine desert through typical Kilimanjaro Mountain vegetation such as lobelia and senecios. An acclimatization trek up to Lava Tower (3900 Meters/ 13,000 Feet), where you may have lunch, will give you an opportunity to experience altitude and the effects on your body.

You may have an hour or so here before descending towards the Barranco Valley. Although quite steep, the descent to Barranco Valley is particularly rewarding and very beautiful, with some wonderful vegetation and scenery.

It also makes a nice change to be going downhill after climbing for two days, and this is also good for strengthening your legs. The camp will be ready for you at Barranco when you arrive(4000 Meters/ 13,000 Feet) .

Accommodation:

DAY 4 - Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

This morning you will have an early start, with the aim of leaving camp before anyone else. This allows you to ascend the Barranco Wall, which takes about two hours, without being disturbed or impeded by other climbers.

Although daunting, most people find it much easier to scale than expected, with well-placed foot holds and guides on hand to aid your ascent. As a reward for starting your day so early, you may also be able to have breakfast at the top of the Wall.

After another two to three hours crossing glacial valleys, you will arrive at Barafu Camp from Karanga. You stay here for the night, and this afternoon you’ll have a briefing about the final ascent and a detailed check of the clothing and equipment you will need for it.

Arriving a little after midday, you can enjoy lunch at the camp before either taking an acclimatization trek or relaxing and enjoying the scenery. The scenery here is superb, and the views of Mawenzi and Kibo are excellent.

Accommodation:

DAY 5 - Ascent To Uhuru Peak and Descent to Mweka Camp

Your group will depart from Barafu Camp (4,673 m /15,327 f) at night and start the final summit toward the highest point of Kilimanjaro – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m /19,336 f). Technically speaking, the climb is relatively simple; however, given the high altitude, even normal physical activity can feel strenuous. For this reason, every two climbers will be paired with a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor their physical and mental well-being more closely. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak – the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and the final point of the climb on the Lemosho Route, you can descend to the nearest glacier, if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp for a 2-hour rest before continuing your descent to Mweka Camp (3090 Meters/ 10,150 Feet)

Please Note: Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including most broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.

Accommodation:

DAY 6 - Descent From Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Accommodation:

Departure

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.
Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.

No Accommodation

Included/excluded

Oxygen
Oximeters
Camp pillow
Airport Transfer
Extra sleeping pad
Hut or camping fees
National Park gate fees
Hyperbaric pressure bag
Dining chairs with backs
All meals on the mountain
Hot lunches on the mountain
Salaries for all crew members
Kilimanjaro map for the group
Rescue fees (as required by the national park)
Accommodation in Moshi/ Arusha
Celebration dinner at the hotel after returning from trek
Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides for all routes
Tents, foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and eating utensils
Special Kilimanjaro guide with Wilderness First Responder certification
Transport from Moshi/ Arusha to starting point on the mountain and return to Moshi/ Arusha