KENYA SAFARIS |
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Kilimanjaro is the world's highest free standing, snow-covered equatorial mountain. Now charted and climbed; stories of her resident man-eating spirits are relegated to the realms of folklore. But Mount Kilimanjaro continues to preserve a mysticism that defies all recent knowledge of her slopes.
Images of the towering snow-covered cone rising majestically from fertile green foothills have become a powerful motif of Tanzania's extraordinary extremes. Few could deny a very distinct sense of awe when the cloud clears to reveal a glimpse of the towering peaks, shining bright in the equatorial sun.
There are five principal trails up the mountain: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Umbwe and Rongai. These are all hiking routes. The most popular route is the Marangu route. It takes about five days and involves walking about 85 kilometres.
Click here for a map of Kilimanjaro
Please note that we only organise private safaris, there will be only you and your travel partner(s) on that tour!
This itinerary starts at Kilimanjaro International Airport - JRO, and ends at Impala Hotel Arusha or Moshi. Please see here for international flights for this tour.
| You are here: home/kilimanjaro routes/Machame route |
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| ALKIL02 - KILIMANJARO - MACHAME ROUTE - 8 DAYS |
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This is the second most popular route, 26 km long, and it is considered the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. With a gradual ascend through the forest you emerge to see wide views of the moorland on Shira plateau, Kibo and Western Breach. The different kinds of vegetation found along the route make it the most scenic route. We are approaching the summit with an acclimatization day by walking in the same heights (Barafu Camp to Karranga Valley Camp), and another day by stopping at Karranga Valley camp (we are one of few tour operators offering this). There are no mountain huts on this route; the accommodation is in mountain tents.The route done in six days is physically challenging for most people. The last two days (the trek from Barranco to Barafu and then the overnight trek to the summit) require mental and physical toughness, due to the high altitude and short amount of time to rest before the overnight summit attempt.
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
DAY |
LOCATION |
ACCOMMODATION | MEAL PLAN |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Arusha | Impala Hotel | D |
2 |
Kilimanjaro | Machame Camp (9,850 ft. / 3,000 mt.) | FB |
3 |
Kilimanjaro | Shira Camp (12,600 ft. / 3,840 mt.) | FB |
4 |
Kilimanjaro | Barranco Camp (12,950 ft. / 3,950 mt.) | FB |
5 |
Kilimanjaro | Karanga Valley Camp (4000m) | FB |
6 |
Kilimanjaro | Barafu Camp (15,200 ft. / 4,630 mt.) | FB |
7 |
Kilimanjaro | UHURU PEAK (19,340 ft. /5,895 mt.) ~ Mweka Camp (9,840 ft. /3,110 mt.) | FB |
8 |
Arusha | Impala Hotel | HB |
| 9 | Departure OR Safari/ Zanzibar extension | ||
| NB: You can change to your accommodation of choice in Arusha Town. Please click at Hotels in Arusha | |||
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Arusha Kilimanjaro Airport.
We'll meet for an introductory briefing upon our arrival in Arusha, before transferring to the Impala Hotel for the evening.
Day 2: Kilimanjaro Climb - Arusha to Machame Camp.
At 7:30 a.m., we'll transfer to the Machame Park Gate (5,950 ft. / 1,815 mt.). After registering with the park authority, we'll begin our climb through the lush forest. Trekkers will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above, and many even see black & white colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys as they hike along the knotted roots and mud on the forest floor.
Kilimanjaro tents
We'll continue on to some heath land before reaching our overnight camp at Machame Camp (9,850 feet, 6-7 hours of walking), just above the forest zone. The trek is quite long, thus not steep.
Day 3: Kilimanjaro Climb - Machame Camp to Shira Camp.
Today's segment of the ascent will continue across beautiful heath land and alpine moorland with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Peak. We begin up the steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, and trees of Giant Heather and Erica. Scramble around large boulders as you enter the moorland zone, marked by lobelia and senecio plants, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards, which protect wild alpine flowers growing at their bases. We'll overnight at Shira Camp (12,600 feet, 5-6 hours of walking).
Day 4: Kilimanjaro Climb - Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
We'll draw nearer the peak as we get closer to the Lava Tower. The trek becomes a bit more strenuous as the trail steepens on the approach to the lava Tower, a 300 foot tall volcanic plug which marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet.
In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a cool (flat area) enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjaro), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia. Then we slowly ascent to our overnight stop at Barranco Camp (12,950 feet, 5-6 hours of walking). This day and the following day will be your acclimatization day.
Day 5: Kilimanjaro Climb - Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley Camp
The day will begin with a descent into the Gorge, before we climb its eastern wall where we will enjoy views of Kilimanjaro's ice fields, an equatorial anomaly. We will continue trekking until we reach our camp in Karanga Valley (13,900 feet, 4-5 hours of walking).
Day 6: Kilimanjaro Climb - Karanga Valley Camp to Barafu Camp
We'll trek up through the Karanga Valley; the trail turns steadily uphill, following the lava ridge to the Barafu camp. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a Kilimanjaro climbing small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting as a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight. Barafu camp (15,200 feet, 6-7 hours of walking).
Day 7: Kilimanjaro Climb - Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Just after midnight we start of a challenging trek (12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 12:30 to 1am, passing between the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers to the rim at Stella Point. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to –10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at the summit. As dawn nears, we'll summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet. Uhuru will be the culmination of - and the reward for - 6-7 hours of strenuous hiking. We'll then descend back to Barafu Camp, resting for a while before continuing our descent to Mweka Camp (9,840 feet, 3-4 hours of walking on the descent).
Day 8: Kilimanjaro Climb - Mweka Camp to Park Gate, transfer to Arusha
We'll make our final descent to the park gate, a walk of about 3 or 4 hours. After bidding our farewells to our guide and porters, we'll drive to Arusha. Dinner and overnight at Impala Hotel HB
Day 9: Depart
Breakfast, Checkout and transfer to your departure point within Arusha
END OF SERVICE
NOTE: You can also combine this climb with a safari to the northern parks or fly to Exotic Zanzibar island and relax in the white sandy beaches.
| Prices in USD Tour No. ALKIL02 |
Per Person Sharing in twin | Single
Room Supplement (SRS) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Each of 2-4 |
Each of 5+ |
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| Year 2010 | USD$ 1775 | USD$ 1467 | USD$ 60 |
| EXTRA DAY FOR ACCLIMATIZATION DURING CLIMBING | USD$ 170 (PER DAY) | ||
| FOR YOUR CHOICE OF ACCOMMODATION IN KILIMANJARO AREA PLEASE CLICK HERE | |||
| Xmas , Easter & New Year suppliment (22 Dec - 04 Jan) : 35 USD per person per night. Child under 12 years sharing with two adults pay 65% of Adult Rate. | |||
| Please contact us for rate of single person travelling. | |||
| NOTE: You can also combine this climb with a Tanzania safari to the northern parks or fly to Exotic Zanzibar island and relax in the white sandy beaches |
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| INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE 2 nights hotel accommodation transfers to and from hotel in Arusha mountain tents accommodation cook - all meals, chairs, tables etc climb and park fees, porters, English speaking, professional guide, full briefing KINAPA emergency mountain evacuation Kilimanjaro certificate (UPON REACHING THE SUMMIT) AAR (Africa Air Rescue) Evacuation Insurance NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE Items of a personal nature passport visa traveler’s insurance Tips to guides and porters |
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NB: > You can combine the above Kilmanjaro Climb program with Safaris in Tanzania or Zanzibar Extension
Alternatively
One may choose an extra day at Karranga Valley for acclimatization Kilimanjaro. which may increase your chances to reach the top.Kilimanjaro Tanzania - best time to climb, precautions, checklist, medicine, tips
Find here a list of equipment that we can rent:
Equipment for Kilimanjaro climb
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