9 Days Climb Via Machame Route

9 DAYS CLIMB VIA MACHAME ROUTE.

Information Background

Sometimes called the Whisky Route. This is a popular route up steep paths through magnificent forests to gain a ridge leading through the moorland zones to the Shira Plateau. It then traverses beneath the glaciated precipices of the Southern Ice fields to join the Barafu Route to the summit. An extra day could be added to the itinerary, best spent on the Shira Plateau, where you could walk to the Shira Needles. Strong groups could omit camping at Karanga River. The Mweka Route is used for the descent.

Accommodation on the mountain is in tents, which the porters will pitch for you. You will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes and walking poles. This is a steep, tough trek within the limits of a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas.

DAY 1: Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, pick up, and transferred to the Springlands Hotel or similar for overnight bed and breakfast.

DAY 2: Hike from Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft
Distance: 11 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: RainForest

The drive from Moshi to the Machame Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp.

DAY 3: Hike from Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Heath

We leave the glades of the rainforest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.

DAY 4: Hike from Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower
Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Hike from Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance: 3 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

DAY 5: Hike from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

DAY 6: Hike from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

DAY 7: Hike from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: RainForest

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.

DAY 8: Descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: RainForest

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.

DAY 9: After an early breakfast, Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight back home.

Price per person –

1 – 5 pax, price per climber US$ 2142
6 pax and above, price per climber US$ 2053
11 people and above 1 person (Tour leader ) will pay the park fees only – US$ 1370

INCLUDED IN KILIMANJARO CLIMB PRICES:

Two nights’ accommodation at the Springlands Hotel in Moshi (before and after the climb)

- The first night includes Dinner and breakfast

Return transportation from Moshi to/from the starting/finishing point on the mountain
Qualified guides with mountain crew
National park fees
Tents and sleeping mattresses
Cutlery / Crockery / Eating utensils
Mess tent (for dining) / Mini camping chairs / Tables / Candles
Rescue fees
Pulse oximeters
First aid kit
Guides, porters, cooks, waiter salaries
Boiled water on the mountain
All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation, and entry fees on the mountain.
Emergency oxygen

EXCLUDED:

Single rooms supplement at Springlands Hotel (except on the 1 person rate)
Airport transfers
Guides, Porters, Cook & Waiters tips
Meals and drinks not specified
Gear for your climb
Items of personal nature
Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included
Visas

MISCELLANEOUS

Apart from our packages, SASO TOURS takes a serious approach to ensure that tourism in Tanzania also benefits those who are unable to reap its direct benefits, by helping to bring donations, opportunities, and solutions to the regions in which we run our tours and set-up our properties.
15% of the profits from Saso Tours go directly to our social, economic, and environmental initiatives. This is a fact recognized early on by Saso Charity where we recognized our responsibility to develop and operate in a manner that makes a positive contribution to the natural, social and cultural environment. Contact us through our Email:- sasougandasafaris@gmail.com

YOU ARE MOST WELCOME AGAIN TO ADVENTURE WITH SASOUGANDASAFARIS!!!