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Kilimanjaro – 9 Days Machame Route

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Duration

7 Days Trek

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Tour Type

Daily Tour

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Group Size

Unlimited

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Languages

English

Overview

To climb Mount Kilimanjaro on the Machame route could mean trekking in large group for Exposed Africa. Since budget clients knew Machame, the traffic on the route has been ever growing. It soon overtook the Marangu Route as the most severely trafficked climb route on Mount Kilimanjaro.

The reason is not only the prices but, The Machame route is considered the most scenic route up Kilimanjaro. From our research in 2018, scenic facts may not be the reasons for popularity because both Shira Route and Lemosho route share the same path at some points. But it is correct to say Machame is the most beautiful Kilimanjaro route that you can climb on a budget. It facilitates the camping accommodation option other than Huts as compared to the Marangu Route. It is however considered a bit more difficult than the Marangu Route and Rongai Route, hence called “Whiskey Route”. It’s longer and frequently steeper on its hikes. It covers more ground and includes more ups and downs. It wears you out more, takes more energy, not more skill. But it offers great acclimatisation and a record of higher success rate than all.

To climb Mount Kilimanjaro on the Machame route could mean trekking in large group for Exposed Africa. Since budget clients knew Machame, the traffic on the route has been ever growing. It soon overtook the Marangu Route as the most severely trafficked climb route on Mount Kilimanjaro.

The reason is not only the prices but, The Machame route is considered the most scenic route up Kilimanjaro. From our research in 2018, scenic facts may not be the reasons for popularity because both Shira Route and Lemosho route share the same path at some points. But it is correct to say Machame is the most beautiful Kilimanjaro route that you can climb on a budget. It facilitates the camping accommodation option other than Huts as compared to the Marangu Route. It is however considered a bit more difficult than the Marangu Route and Rongai Route, hence called “Whiskey Route”. It’s longer and frequently steeper on its hikes. It covers more ground and includes more ups and downs. It wears you out more, takes more energy, not more skill. But it offers great acclimatisation and a record of higher success rate than all.

Less

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Arrival
  • Trekking from Machame Gate to Machame Camp
  • Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp
  • Trekking from Shira Camp to Lava Tower and Descent to Barranco Camp
  • Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
  • Trekking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
  • Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descend to Millenium Camp
  • Descent from Millenium Camp to Mweka Gate
  • Departure

Itinerary

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Day 1(Arrival)

On your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will meet our representative, and transfer you to the hotel. You will be provided with all the essentials for a comfortable stay: comfy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. Our Managers will find a convenient time for the briefing and we shall make sure you are ready to begin the climb the next morning.

Day 2 (trekking from Machame Gate to Machame Camp)

A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your rain coats.
This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
• Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
• Drink over 4 litres of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
• Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.
At night, you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Elevation Change: Machame Gate (1,800 m) – Machame Camp (3,010 m)
Distance: 5 Km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Day 3 (Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp)

After breakfast, you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude station, Shira Camp (3,845 m). On this day, you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Physically speaking, the trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 300-meter gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp you will be served a hot dinner.
Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
Elevation Change: Machame Camp (3,010 m) – Shira Camp (3,845 m)
Distance: 5 Km
Hiking Time 4-5 hours




Acclimatization Hike:
Elevation Change: Shira Camp (3,845 m) – Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,120 m)
Distance: 2 Km
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours

Day 4 (Trekking from Shira Camp to Lava Tower and Descent to Barranco Camp)

After breakfast, you will leave Shira Camp (3,845 m) and start your trek towards Lava Tower (4,630 m). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4,600 meters. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1–2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be.
Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day you will be climbing it, but don't worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.
Note: If one or more participants feel sick, the group may refrain from passing the Lava Tower and adjust the route, following instead the road for porters. In this case you will not reach an altitude of 4,630 meters, getting up only to a maximum of 4,400 meters
Elevation Change: Shira Camp (3,845m) – Lava Tower (4,630m) – Barranco Camp (3,960m)
Distance: 11 Km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Day 5 (Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp)

On this day, it is best to make an early start to avoid crowding on the way up Barranco Wall. Despite the Wall’s seemingly daunting height and steepness the actual climb is rather merciful at a mere hour or so. The top provides a great photo opportunity with Kibo Peak as the backdrop. The next part of the day is rife with ups and downs where your guides will choose the best place for individual climbers. A lunch break at Karanga Camp shall be followed by an acclimatization Hike towards Barafu with the highest point read 4,270 m. The group then drops back to Karanga Camp for the overnight.

Elevation Change: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) – Karanga Camp (4,035 m)
Distance: 5 Km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Acclimatization Hike:
Altitude Change: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) – Highest point reached (4,270 m)
Distance: 2.5 Km
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours

Day 6 (Trekking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp)

After breakfast, you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization climb towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp with its highest point being 4,800 m and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.
Elevation Change: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) – Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
Distance: 6 Km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Acclimatization Hike:
Altitude change: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) – Kosovo (4,800 m)
Distance 6 Km
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours

Day 7 (Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descend to Millenium Camp)

Departure from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) at night and the summit trek starts to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Technically the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude. Each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your physical and mental conditions. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and after a 2-hour rest continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).
Note: Don't forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.
Elevation Change: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Millenium Camp (3,820 m)
Distance: 15 Km
Hiking Time: 8-12 hours

Day 8 (Descent from Millenium Camp to Mweka Gate)

The camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park's exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m). After your descent, the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.

Elevation Change: Millenium Camp (3,820 m) – Mweka Gate (1, 640)
Distance: 12 Km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Day 9 (Departure)

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.
Note: 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.

Included/Excluded

  • 2 Nights’ accommodation in Moshi is or Arusha included
  • All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
  • Professional, experienced, mountain guides
  • Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
  • Quality, waterproof, four seasons private mountain sleeping tents
  • Sleeping Mattress
  • All meals while on the mountain
  • Quality mess tents with table and chairs
  • Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
  • Clean purified drinking water
  • Airport pick up and drop off
  • Kilimanjaro National Park Entrance fees
  • All Government taxes and levies including 18% VAT.
  • Community Development Fund
  • Conservation Fund
  • Flights
  • Tips to mountain crew
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Laundry Services
  • Entry visa for Tanzania
  • Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes etc. (available for renting)

Tour's Location

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FAQs

How much weight of equipment will I carry?
You are expected to carry your own day pack, with only things which should be able to sustain you until you reach the next camp at the end of the day. You do not need to carry your personal backpack/ duffel pack - It will be carried by our porters.
What if I am slower than the other trekkers?
No worries about that - this is a common concern. It is much better for your body if you proceed slowly and guides will permanently remind you about this (“pole-pole” - which means “slowly slowly”). By walking slowly, your body will much better acclimatize to high altitude.

There is plenty of time allocated each day for the treks, even for those who like to go very slowly.
What if I cannot make it to the top?
Some climbers may fall short of reaching the summit, but not at the expense of their overall experience. Even for those who never reached the top, the experience of the wonders of Kilimanjaro is very rewarding.

If one or more members of the group decide they cannot continue, or if a guide deems it unsafe for an individual (or a group) to continue, they are escorted to the most convenient campsite or Hut.

Our guides intimately know the network of shortcuts to escort climbers to safety, and they are trained to act quickly and calmly under any circumstance.
What is the accommodation like during trekking?
On the Marangu Route, there are simple basic Huts. The first 2 Huts sleep four people each and the last Hut is a dome-style with bunk beds.

On all the other routes, you will sleep in 3 dome-style Tents, two people each. The Tents are modern and have an outer flysheet and large vestibules keep equipment from the elements. They are set up, broken down and carried- along with everything else- by our porters.

There are public toilets set up at every campsite, but portable toilets are available upon request at the cost of $ 100 per group for the whole tour. Hot water is provided for each person every morning but No showers during trek

There will be dining tents with chairs and tables where all meals will be served. Before any meal, we will provide soap and hot water for washing your hands.
What is the food like on the mountain?
For each trek on the Mount a dedicated cook will be part of the logistical team. They are professional chefs and have the ability to prepare different kinds of dishes. Please see a sample page for Dietary Menu.
What if I get sick up the mountain?
You shouldn't worry- You are in safe hands. Our guides are professionally trained to handle all sorts of distress and respond quickly and accordingly. They all have Wilderness First Aid Responder qualification and they will all time bring you to safety. They will directly call for an emergency evacuation if the situation worsens.
When and where does the tour start?
The tours are scheduled to start in Moshi, departing on Daily basis. However, circumstances like clients’ arrival time, activities to be done and client’s preference could affect the program. Our company is flexible for such arrangements and adjustments. Normally the program starts around 7:30 AM
When and where does the tour End?
The tours are scheduled to End in Moshi. You may also wish to be dropped outside Moshi at an extra cost depending on the place of drop off. However, our travel specialists will need to know your specific drop-off point prior to the hike to get aligned with the program
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