Machame Route Kilimanjaro
| country: | Tanzania |
| location: | Kilimanjaro |
| trip type: | High altitude, strenuous trekking holidays |
| departures: | 2010: 11 Jun, 18 Jun, 2 Jul, 16 Jul, 6 Aug, 27 Aug, 3 Sep, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 1 Oct, 15 Oct, 22 Oct, 24 Dec 2011: 14 Jan, 4 Feb, 11 Feb, 18 Feb, 10 Jun, 24 Jun, 8 Jul, 22 Jul, 5 Aug, 26 Aug, 2 Sep, 9 Sep, 16 Sep, 30 Sep, 14 Oct, 21 Oct |
| price: | From £1699 - £2279 (10 days) including flights from the UK. From £699 - £1299 excluding flights. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Machame Route Kilimanjaro
Stunning camping trek to Kilimanjaro’s summit
Machame Route
Get off the beaten track on the tougher Machame climb. This is a fully supported six-day camping trip through a remote wilderness area, with great access to the remaining glaciers and the western breach. You’ll enjoy inspirational views of Kibo Peak, the eternal icefields, and Kili’s scree-covered dome… before the ultimate achievement of summit morning!
Machame Route
Get off the beaten track on the tougher Machame climb. This is a fully supported six-day camping trip through a remote wilderness area, with great access to the remaining glaciers and the western breach. You’ll enjoy inspirational views of Kibo Peak, the eternal icefields, and Kili’s scree-covered dome… before the ultimate achievement of summit morning!
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart London Overnight flight to Kilimanjaro Airport |
| Day 2: | Arusha After your flight, you transfer (one hour) to Arusha (1380m) and check in to your lodge. Tanzania’s major northern commercial centre stands on a fertile plain beside Mount Meru, Kilimanjaro’s westerly neighbour, some 50km from Kilimanjaro International airport. This evening you’ll have a comprehensive briefing to prepare you for your trek. Lodge - 1 night (D) |
| Day 3: | Drive to Machame Gate; trek to Machame camp (3000m) This morning you drive across the plain towards Mount Kilimanjaro, which dominates the skyline. If the skies are clear, you may get views of the snow-capped peak. Turning off the highway, you drive up through Machame village (1200m) on the way to Machame Gate (1830m), the entrance to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. At the end of the track you register for the climb and meet your team of Chagga guides and porters. The Chagga people live from cultivating the fertile volcanic soil on the lower slopes of the mountain. As you set off on the trail you pass through the shambas where they grow coffee and bananas. It’s warm at this altitude and patches of dense rainforest teem with tropical birds and varieties of monkey; the indigenous flora includes numerous mosses, lichens and flowers, as well as delicate orchids. Depending on the group, it’s roughly six hours walk (10km) to your first camp at Machame Hut (3000m), just where you emerge from the lush tropical forest onto heather moorland. Camping -1 night (BLD) |
| Day 4: | Shira Cave (3940m) Your second day on the mountain starts as you cross the valley that lies in your path, and the stream that runs through it, to continue steeply upward through giant heather plants and along a ridge. Then the route turns west, dropping abruptly into a gorge created by a river, before climbing out on the other side on an easier gradient to reach the bleak moorland of Shira Plateau with odd clusters of giant groundsels and lobelia. As you cross the plateau you start to get impressive views of Kibo Summit and the Western Breach, before eventually joining the Shira Route at Shira Cave - your overnight campsite. Approx. 5 hours walking (8km). Camping -1 night (BLD) |
| Day 5: | Barranco Hut (3950m) Today you head due east towards Kibo Summit, passing the turn-off of the trail which leads around the northern side of the summit. Climbing all the while, you continue towards the Lava Tower (4600m). From here you descend to Barranco Hut, your overnight camp which lies in a sheltered area below the spectacular cliffs of the Breach Wall. The Breach Wall, the dome of Uhuru and the edge of the Heim Glacier dominate the head of the valley. Approx. 6-7 hours walking / 12 km. Camping – 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 6: | Barafu Hut (4600m) This morning you head eastward along the Southern Circuit. After a 200m scramble to the top of the Great Barranco Wall, you traverse scree fields and a series of ridges to the Karanga Valley (4100m), beneath the icy snouts of Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. After climbing out of the valley, you join the Mweka Route on a trail which ascends a steep ridge to Barafu (which means "ice" in Swahili) Hut, standing amidst a desert of bleak tundra. Tonight you must ensure that you don’t pack anything you don’t need in your daypacks, as you’ll need all your reserves of energy tomorrow! You get an early night in order to leave soon after midnight so you can reach the summit before it clouds over. Approx. 6 hours walking / 9 km. Camping - 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 7: | Summit (5895m) And Mweka Camp (3100m) The day of truth! The guides wake you and you start out in darkness by the light of your head torch, in the extreme cold. The Mweka Route leads steeply upward over a long scree slope between Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers. This is the hardest part; it can be covered with snow, so trekking poles are useful for balance. Eventually - after some five or six hours walk - you reach the rim of Kibo Crater, close to Stella Point (5732m). From here it’s another hour’s walk west along the crater rim past Hans Meyer's Point - named after the German geologist who made the first successful ascent in 1889 - to reach Uhuru (meaning “Freedom”) Peak (5895m). If the summit is clear, there are fine views of the sun rising over Mawenzi’s icefields and jagged peaks to the east, and of Mount Meru to the west. Triumphant, you then head back to Barafu Hut, where you rest from your exertions for a while. After lunch you continue down to your final camp at Mweka Hut, in the giant heather, close to the forest’s edge. Tonight you enjoy a well-earned rest and your last dinner on the mountain. Approx. 13-14 hours walking (7-8 hours ascent, plus 6 hours descent). Camping - 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 8: | Arusha The pace quickens as the Mweka Route descends across alpine meadow and through rainforest and shamba to Mweka Gate (approx. 3-4 hours walking). After bidding farewell to your guides and porters you board the vehicle for the drive back to Arusha. On arrival you can take a hot shower, and relax with a celebratory drink! Lodge - 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 9: | Arusha/Fly To London After Kilimanjaro, Arusha feels like a lively metropolis. The day is free to relax, shop, or explore. It’s worth a look at the covered market, or the stalls and shops around the clock tower. However the likelihood is that you will want to relax, maybe with a drink, at the lovely lodge in Arusha resting those tired legs and reminiscing about your journey to the highest point in Africa!! The trip ends in Arusha for Land Only clients. Clients on group flights to the UK transfer to the airport for your flight back to London. NB Lunch is not included today. (B) |
| Day 10: | Arrive London |
| Day 11-17: | Optional Zanzibar Extension Day 1-8: As per itinerary above Day 9-10: Transfer to Arusha airport for a flight to the ‘Spice Island’ of Zanzibar. After checking into your hotel in the island’s capital and main port you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy ‘sundowners’ on the terrace of one of the bars or restaurants looking out towards sunset over the Straits of Zanzibar. Stone Town, in the heart of Zanzibar Town, is a fascinating place to wander around; every twist and turn of the crumbling alleyways presents something of interest. From the Beit-el-Ajaib, or House of Wonders, formerly the Sultan’s palace, to the striking structures of the Arab fort and St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the town has an air of intrigue and history. The town has a multitude of mosques - 50 in all - as well as reminders of Zanzibar’s more sinister past as a large slave centre. There are also hints of a British presence - the National Museum houses artefacts from the British colonial period and Livingstone’s base for his last expedition has been preserved. There is ample time to browse the bazaars of the old town whose many irresistible crafts, textiles and spices make wonderful souvenirs. It's easy to get lost in the maze of streets, and part of the fun, but you may wish to hire a local guide to show you around and your hotel will assist you with this. Hotel - 2 nights (Bx2) Day 11-15: Today you drive across the island to the coast where you check in to your beachside hotel. You have plenty of time to relax and enjoy this tropical paradise. The coral-sand shores of this beautiful coast are protected by an offshore coral reef. The reefs are peppered with colourful sponges, fan worms, sea slugs and a wealth of fish - from small anemone to clouds of damselfish. Dolphins also frequent the coast. Try your hand at deep sea fishing, snorkelling or scuba diving. For those who prefer to be land based take a spice tour into the centre of the island see your favourite spices growing here as you never knew they looked. Hotel - 5 nights (Bx5,Dx5) Day 16: You transfer from your resort back to Stonetown. The trip ends here for Land Only clients. Those on group flights back to London board the overnight flight via Addis Ababa. Day 17: Arrive in London |
traveller reviews for Machame Route Kilimanjaro
Reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro was the highlight (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
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Our policy of staying in locally owned accommodation, having local guides and group leaders and using transport owned and operated by local people wherever possible is continued in Tanzania. Our small groups (maximum of 16 people) have a minimal impact on the fragile environment as we explore. All tour guides are responsible for ensuring that the guests understand the nature of the environment that they are in and minimise the impact that they may have. We collect and dispose of all litter, purify all drinking water instead of using bottled water, and use responsible cooking fuels (kerosene) instead of wood.
Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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