Mt Kilimanjaro Climb - Machame
Trip Length |
Trip Code |
| 10 days | PFTM |
Activities |
|
| Trekking (Challenging) | |
| Min Altitude | Max Altitude |
| 1630m | 5895m |
Maximum Passengers |
|
| 15 people | |
Countries Visited |
|
| Kenya, Tanzania | |
Start City |
End City |
| Nairobi | Nairobi |
Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa. It lies close to the equator, yet snow, ice and glaciers are to be found on its highest slopes. Soaring to the impressive altitude of 5895 metres (19,350 feet), it provides incredible views of hundreds of square kilometres of surrounding countryside - thousands of feet below - as well as of the mountain peaks, valleys and glaciers around you.
The walk to the summit takes you through a number of distinctly different climatic and vegetation zones - from beautiful rainforest, to alpine moorland, to volcanic desert, to glaciers, ice and snow. (Indeed, even if you do not make it to the top, the scenic interest and rewards of the lower sections are considerable). No mountaineering experience is required; you are able to walk all the way. As you gain height, however, the going will seem tough at times - the increasing effect of altitude, and walking on scree slopes on the upper sections, mean that this is a far-from-easy undertaking. In addition, very cold conditions can be encountered on the higher slopes, and you must be adequately equipped with cold and wet weather clothing. However, if you walk slowly, even from the start at lower altitudes, have a good mental attitude and a reasonable degree of physical fitness, this will all help immeasurably. You will be accompanied by guides, and porters will help to carry your luggage. On the way up your nights are spent in tents, on the Machame route; however on the descent you join the Mweka route, spending one night in this area (but still using our own tents). The thrill of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro gives one an unsurpassed sense of achievement. The Machame Route is a day longer than the standard trail - and we have added a further day to the standard itinerary - this provides important additional time for acclimatisation and may well increase your chances of summiting.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi
On arrival in Nairobi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by our driver. Our local representative will meet you at the joining hotel to ensure that all is well. Our representative will provide details of tomorrow's private transfer to Moshi as well as any additional tours or activities that you may wish to enjoy whilst in Nairobi. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Please note this is an arrival day and you may arrive at any time.
Day 2: Machame Village - Moshi
Meals included: 1 breakfast
This morning you will depart on your private transfer from Nairobi through to Moshi. You will exit Kenya and enter Tanzania at the Namanga border post. The drive today covers approximately 420 kilometres and should take about six to seven hours. The final stretch of travel from Arusha to Moshi should offer views of this magnificent snow-capped mountain, really whetting your appetite for the forthcoming ascent. The Aishi lodge is beautifully located in the village of Machame, at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro. The lodge features large gardens, comfortable rooms and a peaceful setting amidst local banana plantations, and is a perfect place from which to start and end your Kilimanjaro climb! In the evening there is a briefing on the trek. At this time you will also receive your own personal trek bag. This trek bag will contain a kit bag that your porter will carry, an appropriate sleeping bag, sleep sheet, down jacket and sleeping mat. You will need to transfer your trekking possessions into this bag. You will be able to leave your normal travelling bag and any excess luggage at our Machame Hotel to be collected upon your return.
Day 3: Machame Hut
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Today you will meet up with your porters and guides after breakfast at the hotel, and transfer the short distance to the Machame Gate, at around 1800 metres, situated at the entrance to the forest. After completing registration procedures at Machame you should be on your way by late morning. Today’s walk is about five to six hours, gradually ascending through the forest to a ridge between two streams, before eventually emerging into heather at around 3000 metres. Note that it can be wet in the rainforest. The night is spent camping near Machame Hut, at much the same altitude. The porters will carry your trek bag with all of your kit. You will carry a day pack with your wet weather gear, camera, lunch and water. The porters will generally walk ahead so that they can reach camp first and put up your tents prior to your arrival.
Day 4: Shira Hut
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
After breakfast, you set off around 8.00am to head up to the Shira Plateau. From your overnight campsite you cross a small valley and continue up along a steep ridge, through open moorland, to about 3600 metres. The peak lies straight ahead of you, giving you inspiration on what is, at times, a tough day’s walk. After some three to four hours the route veers left before flattening out into a gorge, and from here you gradually ascend towards the Shira Plateau, and your overnight camp at Shira Hut, at 3850 metres, to the west of Kibo.
Day 5: Barranco Hut
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Today is an important acclimatisation day as you travel up to 4250 metres before spending the night at Barranco (3950m). The path continues directly up the ridge towards Kibo. This is high altitude desert, with glorious views of the Western Breach of Kibo. After about four hours the path forks to the right and descends into a gorge (‘barranco’ in Swahili). There is a fair bit of ‘up and down’ walking today which can be quite tiring. Turning south-east towards the lava tower known as Shark’s Tooth, you reach Barranco Hut and your overnight campsite at 3950 metres. With luck you’ll enjoy a great sunset tonight!
Day 6: Karanga Valley
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
This morning you will climb the Barranco Wall (not a technical climb) and then follow the Kibo South Circuit. Wonderful views are to be had of Kibo's southern glaciers if the weather is clear. There's a pleasant lunch stop by the river, in the Karanga Valley. This is a relatively short day, and you should arrive at your camp around lunchtime, located just after the Karanga Valley set atop a ridge. Today is a valuable acclimitisation day as you will be walking for the morning only and you will be ascending and descending various ridges and valleys during your walk.
Day 7: Barafu Hut
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
From Karanga you head up to the intersection of the South Circuit and the Mweka route. Here you start climbing up a ridge for a further two hours to Barafu Hut, at 4600 metres. Barafu is Swahili for ‘ice’ and it can be very cold here at night. Once again you should arrive late lunchtime, allowing plenty of time to rest before the final summit attempt.
Day 8: Summit day
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
A long, hard day! Leaving your campsite between midnight and two am, walking by torch light the climb from Barafu to Stella Point is fairly steep. At Rebmann Glacier (4870m) you head north between Rebmann and Ratzel Glacier, where you may enjoy some stunning views, as the dawn approaches. This brings you up to the crater rim just west of Stella Point (about six to seven hours), where you join the main trail for the last leg (about an hour) to the summit at Uhuru (5895m). You then head back down, via the Mweka route, where your tents will be pitched for the last time. The section from Uhuru down to Barafu (four hours) is scree (as on the way up), then you head down through the various vegetation zones, on a continual downhill, into Mweka which is located on the edge of the rainforest area (three to four hours). At an altitude of approx 3100 metres, it's nice to have some 'air' to breathe!
Day 9: Machame Village - Moshi
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
From Mweka down to the park gate, is a three to four hour walk, through the rainforest, which may be slippery in patches. At the gate you can often buy beers (or from the villages on the way back) ,and then there’s a very short hike to the roadhead where you will be met by the vehicle and transferred back to the hotel for a swim, a beer, and a VERY welcome hot shower!! Celebrations at the Aishi hotel will, no doubt, continue into the evening!
Day 10: Arusha or Nairobi
Meals included: 1 breakfast
In the morning you will be picked up by your private transfer vehicle and driven from Moshi to Arusha. After a brief lunch stop (cost not included), those continuing back to Nairobi re-board the transfer vehicle to continue onto Nairobi. You will cross back into Kenya at Namanga, and should expect to arrive into Nairobi at about 6.00pm, where your tour ends on arrival. Any flights out of Nairobi should not be booked prior to 8.30pm. The private transfer service from Arusha to Nairobi can drop clients at Nairobi’s international airport on the way to our Nairobi hotel. If you wish to be dropped of at the airport prior notice must be provided to us. The seven hour drive from Moshi to Nairobi can be replaced by a flight between Kilimanjaro Airport and Nairobi. The flight, and transfer between Moshi and Kilimanjaro Airport, needs to be pre-booked and is at additional cost.
Your Trip
What's Included
A specialist local mountain guide, services of porters/cook on mountain climb, arrival transfer, accommodation, transport and entrance fees.
Summary of accommodation, transport & meals
Transport
- On foot
- Private vehicle
- Trek
Accommodation
- 3 nights Comfortable hotel
- 6 nights Spacious dome tent
Meals
- 9 breakfasts
- 7 lunches
- 6 dinners
Equipment Included
- personal trek equipment (sleeping bag, duvet jacket, sleeping sheet, kit bag)
- sleeping mat
Not Included
International flights, airport departure taxes, visas, meals unless specified in the itinerary, insurance, laundry, any optional tours or activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.
What to know
VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip. Talk to your doctor about the up-to-date information for this region.
Visas and PermitsIt is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
Kenya
Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders currently require a visa for Kenya. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent.
Kenya visas are easily obtained at the airport or border crossing at a cost of US$50 for most nationalities based on single entry. For some nationalities a single entry Kenya visa allows the person to enter Kenya more than once provided travel is only between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda within a 30-day period.
Tanzania
Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders currently require a visa for Tanzania. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent. Care must be taken to ensure that your visa does not expire before your proposed date of entry to Tanzania (visas are usually valid for three months from the date of issue).
It is recommended that visas should be obtained before departure. A visa fee of US$50 is charged to most foreign nationals. A visa fee of US$100 is charged for US citizens.
You are required to have travel insurance before heading off on a Peregrine trip. Insurance can be organised by your Peregrine representative or your travel agent.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from getting the basics right like respecting local cultures and the environment, to initiating projects that make positive contributions to communities, to our staff’s fundraising efforts and offsetting our carbon emissions.
Please visit our Responsible Travel (http://www.peregrineadventures.com/rt) page for more information.
Our Pre Departure Information packs (provided upon booking a trip) provide tips on how you can show respect for the local customs and culture in the country you are travelling in.
The information listed above is a brief description of some things you may need to consider when booking a trip. Once a tour is booked you will be provided with a Pre Departure Information pack which will contain detailed information.
Further Reading
KenyaEast Africa-Lonely Planet
Going Down River Road-Meja Mwangi
Out Of Africa-Karen Blixen
Night Of The Lions - Kuki Gullimann
African Nights - Kuki Gullimann
East Africa - Lonely Planet
Going Down River Road - Meja Mwangi
Flame Trees of Thika - Elspeth Huxley
Important Information
During the climb, luggage weight is restricted to a maximum of 12kg.
Please note there are no laundry services available on the climb.
About this Information
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!
Last Updated
3 November 2011