Overview

Day 1 : ARRIVAL
Day 2 : TREKKING FROM MACHAME GATES TO MACHAME CAMP
Day 3 : TREKKING FROM MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP
Day 4 : TREKKING FROM SHIRA CAMP TO THE LAVA TOWER AND DESCENT TO BARRANCO CAMP
Day 5 : TREKKING FROM BARRANCO CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
Day 6 : ASCENT TO UHURU PEAK AND DESCENT TO MILLENIUM CAMP
Day 7 : DESCENT FROM MILLENNIUM CAMP TO MWEKA GATE
Day 8 : DEPARTURE

THIS TOUR IS NOT EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT?

Customizable Itinerary

The Machame route on Kilimanjaro is a six-day camping route which allows for excellent acclimatization and particularly diverse scenery. It has been called the Whiskey route in the past and nowadays about 35% of all climbers on the mountain use it. In a matter of days, you will climb Kilimanjaro from the equator up to an Arctic zone, moving through grasslands, tropical rainforest, alpine meadows, moorlands and high desert to snow and ice. Each day on this route presents quite a distinct ecosystem to experience, which is one reason it is so popular. The other reason is that the six-day programme begins on the south west side of the mountain and traverses around to the south east side, enabling you to sleep at the same altitude for three consecutive nights which significantly aids altitude acclimatization. This means that our summit success rate on this route is quite high at around 85%.

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Day 1

ARRIVAL

Whatever your arrival time at Kilimanjaro International Airport will be, your TmT driver-guide will be waiting for you with a warm welcoming smile. Kick back and relax in your comfortable vehicle as he takes you to your hotel in Arusha/Moshi, Tanzania’s self-styled safari capital. On the way to the hotel, you will get a brief impression of this large, bustling, Safari Hub. Depending on your arrival time, you may have your pre-safari briefing today; if not, it will take place early tomorrow morning.

Day 2

TREKKING FROM MACHAME GATES TO MACHAME CAMP

Change in Elevation: Machame Gate (1,800 m) – Machame Camp (3,010 m)

Hiking distance: 5 km

Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

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 raincoats.

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 liters 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. Considering altitude, 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.

Day 3

TREKKING FROM MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP

Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp: -

Change in Elevation: Machame Camp (3,010 m) to Shira Camp (3,845 m)

Hiking distance: 5 km

Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, 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: Note:climatization 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.

Acclimatization hike: -

Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3,845 m) to Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,120 m)

Hiking distance: 2 km

Hiking time: 1 to 2 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Day 4

TREKKING FROM SHIRA CAMP TO THE LAVA TOWER AND DESCENT TO BARRANCO CAMP

Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3,845 m) to Barranco Camp (3,960 m) Via Lava Tower (4,630 m)

Hiking distance: 11 km

Hiking time: 6 to 8 hours

Habitat: Alpine desert

After breakfast, you will leave Shira Camp (3,845 m) and start your way to the key point of the route: 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.

Day 5

TREKKING FROM BARRANCO CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

Change in Elevation: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) to Barafu Camp (4,640 m)

Hiking distance: 11 km

Hiking time: 8 to 10 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of summiting Barranco Wall (we recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups). Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb, you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.

Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don't worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours, you will have to complete ascend to Barafu Camp (4,640 m) where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.

Day 6

ASCENT TO UHURU PEAK AND DESCENT TO MILLENIUM CAMP

Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) then Millennium Camp (3,820 m)

Hiking distance: 15 km

Hiking time: 8 to 12 hours

Habitat: Arctic condition

Departure from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) at night and the start of summiting Kilimanjaro: 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: Do not 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.

Day 7

DESCENT FROM MILLENNIUM CAMP TO MWEKA GATE

Change in Elevation: Millennium Camp (3,820 m) to Mweka Gate (1,650 m)

Hiking distance: 12 km

Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

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 (1,650 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 to enjoy a shower, dinner and celebrations with a Kilimanjaro beer!

Day 8

DEPARTURE

Today will be at leisure to relax or explore, depending on your flight. Your driver transfers you to Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport for your departure flight Back Home or Zanzibar.

INQUIRE THIS TOUR

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Name : Martyna G

Really interesting tour. We went to Tarangeri and stayed the night at the park. First day we drove around but did not manage to see any elephants but the next day we got very close. Overall our guides were excellent giving us history and sharing their experiences with us with a healthy dose of humor- always great. Thank you!

Useful Information

This thrilling hiking adventure is customised upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available in Tanzania. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people, dates of departure/Arrival and availability of ground services on the ground.

Please click on REQUEST A FREE QUOTE (above) and supply the required information, enabling us to send you your personalised quote within 24 hours!

Note; Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suit your requirements.

Sightseeing Highlights

• Exploring Kilimanjaro National Park

• Wildlife interaction Such as Antelopes, Colobus Monkeys, Baboons etc.

• Experience the vegetation change throughout the hike from rainforest to Arctic.

• Hike to Africa highest Peak “Uhuru Peak”

• A chance for an optional activity tour in Arusha or Moshi

Options Activities that requires Extra Charges for Your safari that you can add:

• Kilimanjaro Daytrip

• Materuni Waterfall Hike

• Coffee Tour

• Paragliding on the Kilimanjaro

• Serval Wildlife Sanctuary tour

Travel Highlights

• Your own private mountain guide and Transfer driver for in-depth hiking adventure touring based on your itinerary

• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our locally born travel specialists

• Itineraries that are customised according to your interests and preferences

• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, hand-picked hotels and restaurants, private airport transfers, internal transportation, and entry visa assistance…etc

• Around-the-clock support from your travel designer and concierge before, during and after your trip

Tour price Includes:

Private professional mountain guide
Camping facilities (tent, mattresses, mess tent)
All Park fees
Hut fees
All meals while on the Mountain
Drinking water
Fair and ethical salaries for the team (guide, assistant guide, cook and porters) – in accordance with KPAP guidelines
First aid supplies

Excludes:

• Personal items (e.g. Hiking gears, cameras, visa, and travel insurance)

• Alcoholic drinks

• Pre/post accommodation and airport transfers (booking is available upon request).

• Tips for your guide and cook. Industry recommendations are $15 a day to the cook and $20 a day to your guide divided by everyone in the vehicle.

Meals:

Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
All meals on the hike. Our Mount Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks. In our menu you will find different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).

Accommodations

One night at a comfortable 3* hotel before the expedition and one night after; The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay - caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool);
Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern, comfortable 4-Season tents North Face VE-25).

Please note:
All hotel accommodation is on sharing basis (i.e. you will be sharing with your travel companion a twin/double room. If you travel alone, we will match you with a same-sex adventurer). Single occupancy in a hotel is available upon request and extra chargers apply. Single accommodation is not available in huts while on the trek, because it is the park rangers who assign the trekkers to the huts

Hiking and safety equipment
- 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
- All group equipment;
- Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
- GPS-tracking service;
- Complete medical kits.
Climbing crew:
- Professional guides, licensed by the Tanzania National Park Authority. All our guides are the holders of Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certifications and have 7+years of successful mountaineering experience;
- Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).
Payment policy
To reserve this tour, a payment of 70% of the total price must be made at the time of reservation. The balance of 30% can be made on arrival in Tanzania, prior to the departure of your tour.

Your deposit can either be made by means of a Bank Transfer, with the addition of a 45 US Dollar fee, or by Credit Card, which incurs an additional bank charge of 3.5%.

Either the final payment can be made through Credit Card, again with the addition of a 3.5% bank charge, or in cash in US Dollars (US Dollar Bills should not be older than year 2009).

Cancellation Policy:
Cancellation of a holiday must be made in writing and is effective from the date we receive the written notification. Cancellation charges are expressed at a percentage of quoted price as follows –
Period
Cancellation Charge
From time of confirmation up to 15 days prior to arrival
0%
From 14 days to 01 day
20%
From the start of the Tour
100%

If the reason for cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim the cancellation charges from your insurance company. Notwithstanding the above, if we have issued your domestic airline tickets and you choose at any time to cancel them then the cancelling for Domestic Tickets will be 100%.
*The above Payment and Cancellation policy is specifically for 8 DAYS MACHAME ROUTEand it does not apply to other tours.