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Mount Kilimanjaro Climb - Machame Route 6 Days / 5 Nights.

The Machame Route is probably the most beautiful way to climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. With a lovely, gradual ascent through forest you emerge to see wide views of the moorland on Shira Plateau and further on the crags and snow of Kibo and the Western Breach. Beautiful and varied vegetation enhances the scenery along the route. For those who want a slightly more technical climb on Mount Kilimanjaro, we recommend a Uhuru summit from Arrow Glacier camp (through the Western Breach), but less challenging routes can be taken from Barranco Camp. As the Western Breach is a more challenging and difficult climb, please discuss with your representative in advance, or research in advance, whether you will attempt to make the more technical climb through the Western Breach.

Day 01:

After and early morning pick up from your hotel in Arusha and drive to the Machame village. Here will do final packing, organize porters and, if need be, purchase last foodstuffs for the trek. Depending on the condition of the road with will either drive or hike on a dirt track another 3 kms through coffee farms and forest to the Park gate. At the gate we will spend an hour or so registering and paying park fees. A clear trail continues up through plantation and natural forest to the ridge between the Weru Stream and the Makoa Stream until the main trailhead is reached. From here a narrow forest (sometimes soggy and wet) path continues up to Machame Campsite.

Day 02 – 03:

After hiking through the forest, the trail and vegetation will dry and you will hike up a steep boulder ridge. At 3-4 hours the trail goes west into a gorge and ascends to Shira Hut/Camp on the Shira Plateau. We will spend a second night in this area around 16,000 feet, doing day hikes to higher altitudes to acclimatize. Alternatively, we will travel to Barranco, Moir or Lava Tower Camp to spend the third night.

Day 04:

We will travel to a short distance to Arrow Glacier above the Lava Tower camp. At the glacier you will have impressive views of the Shira plateau behind you and a rock/scree ridge, the Western Breach, in front of you leading up to the crater rim. Alternatively, we take a more moderate Barranco Trail if the Western Breach is to be avoided.

Day 05:

Day five will begin shortly after Day four is over. We will break camp early between 1 and 3 a.m. for the last push to Uhuru Peak through the Western Breach. After crossing glacial scree we will head straight up through a steep boulder field (this part of the route is strenuous and not recommended for anyone acrophobia). At the top...Kibo crater. Another 1-2 hours and Uhuru Peak will have been reached. Mount Kilimanjaro, the top of Africa.

From the peak, any route down can be taken, but we recommend Marangu or Mweka. Mweka is less traveled and affords beautiful views of the mountain as we descend to Mweka camp slightly below the tree line.

Day 06:

Down through the forest and to the Mweka trailhead/gate. Our car will pick you up and return you by dinner to your hotel. A hot shower will be awaiting you...

INCLUDED: All park entry fees, camping fees, rescue fees, transport to/from the gate, food, drinking water, guide and porters.

NOT INCLUDE: Sleeping bag, tips for your guide and porters and other personal things of nature.

Distances:

Machame village to Park gate: 30 min

Park gate to trailhead: 1-2 hrs

Trailhead to Machame Huts: 4-5 hrs

Machame Huts to Shira Hut 5 hrs

Shira to Arrow Glacier Camp 4 hrs

Arrow to Uhuru Peak 6-8 hrs

Uhuru to Mweke Camp 3-6 hrs