Machame Route 7 Days
As the popularity of climbing and trekking in Tanzania has grown over the years, Kilimanjaro naturally needed a few alternative routes and Machame has undoubtedly pulled perhaps the more adventurous climbers away from the popular Marangu route that was the favorite for many years. The Machame route is rated amongst the most scenic hike on the mountain offering designated camping spots in logistically placed locations making trekking times and altitude gain do-able to all ages with good levels of fitness.
Starting point at Machame gate is 1800 meters and as with all routes immediately delivers climbers into heavy afromontane forested sections which in turn slowly give way to a scene out of Jurasic park with Giant Senecio scattering the landscape through the heather zones eventually breaking out into Alpine desert. Plenty of bird life in the lower areas and also chances of seeing black and white colobus monkey. Altitude gain is a little step and fast on the first x 2 days but once reaching lava tower area one drops down into Baranco achieving the climb high sleep low scenario.
Further more on the 7 day Machame (not the 6 day version), there is a further built in day spent at Karanga valley with side trips to gain some altitude, explore caves carved in the rocks through ice water runoff that lie in close proximity to Karanga camp. Seasonal trend can make the route busy and camps as late afternoon draws in become dotted with an explosion of colors looking somewhat like a shanty town as porters set about erecting mess and sleeping tents. On the whole though a great all round route for those who like bushwalking and trekking, scenery opens up before you after day 3 and due to the topography layout over the 5 days offering good periods of time spent with very little altitude gain as you head around to Baranco, the success rate after taking in all these considerations for summiting is positively good.
Bush2Beach offers the Machame-route climb of Kilimanjaro in both a 6 and 7 day version, with the 7-day version adding an extra day at altitude, allowing for a more leisurely pace and more time to enjoy the vistas, as well as increasing the chances of a successful summit attempt.
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Below, we go through the adventure day-by-day, giving you a better feel of the adventure.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at Kilimanjaro airport - you will be collected by your driver guide and transfer to the Moshi region. Check in at your choice of accommodation.
O/n Kaliwa Lodge (D)
Day 2: Briefing
After breakfast, you will meet your Kilimanjaro guide and receive a briefing on your coming climb. A great opportunity to ask any last minute questions and for you and your guide to double check your clothing and equipment. In the afternoon you will then set out on a 2-3 hour acclimatization walk, this gentle walk will help you warm up before you start Kilimanjaro tomorrow.
O/n Kaliwa Lodge (B, D)
Day 3: Machame Camp
You will be collected at 8:30 am and depart for Machame gate, once park fees have been paid, you will enter into the cover of the natural rain forest which surrounds the lower reaches of Kilimanjaro. This part of the walk is very gradual with great photo opportunities as the sun’s rays filter through the dense canopy overhead with chances of seeing black and white colobus monkey.
Hot water is provided to refresh yourself before dinner, enjoy the Mountain’s silence as night descends upon Machame Camp for your first night.
O/n Machame Camp - Altitude is 2980mts (B, L, D)
Day 4: Shira Camp
After breakfast, break camp and with picnic lunch boxes continue your ascent leaving the Lushness of the rain Forest behind you. This part of the walk cuts up along various ridges which are dotted with scrubby low land bush this eventually gives way to the hardier Alpine Flora of the open plateau.
The walk will take you 5hrs - 6.5hrs including your picnic lunch, the views are stunning as you begin to gain altitude. On one side you have the soft outline of Kilimanjaro towering over you and off in the distance stand’s Mount Meru.
O/n Shira Camp - Altitude 3840mts (B, L, D)
Day 5: Baranco Camp
After breakfast, begin a gradual climb cutting your way through the low Alpine bush. Bird watching on these open slopes can be rewarding with several different type of birds of prey scouring the scrub for small mammals. The scenery will change to rusty red moraine fields as you continue on toward Lava tower 4630mts, finally descend to Baranco Camp. Lunch will be taken on route. This is a good day for acclimatization as you reach a higher altitude than that of Baranco, walking times average 5 - 7 hrs.
O/n Baranco Camp - Altitude 3900mts (B, L, D)
Day 6: Karanga Camp
After breakfast, begin the daunting climb up Baranco wall, it looks far worse than it is – continue steadily to Karanga camp. Enjoy a hot lunch on arrival followed by relaxation or head out on a side walk of the area – your guide will advice.
O/n Karanga Camp (B, L, D)
Day 7: Barafu Camp
This morning you head around the south side of the mountain passing through the Alpine desert and moraine fields. Barafu camp is reached in 4.5hrs - 6hrs. Relax and soak up the vistas below you. Rest and try and get some sleep, you will be woken at around midnight for your final challenge.
O/n Barafu Camp - Altitude 4600mts (B, L, D)
Day 8: Summit Day
Gear up and start your ascent to the highest peak in Africa (Uhuru Peak) this stands at (5895m). Have your camera’s ready for when the sun winks a sleepy eye at you. After you’ve done the victory dance on the summit. Start the descent to Barafu Camp for breakfast and a short rest. Proceed down toward Millennium Camp cutting through lowland grasses and scrub. Break for picnic lunch and refreshments continuing down to Mweka camp or depending on descent pace and how the legs feel, Millennium Camp. O/n Mweka Camp - Altitude 2985 mts (B, L, D)
Day 9: Last Day on the Mountain
After breakfast, proceed back down into the forest, a beautiful walk again offering good bird watching opportunities, there are some good view points en route to the valley below. Continue down to the gate, for champagne brunch. Here you will meet one of our vehicles, heading back to the comforts of the lodge for well earned showers.
O/n Kaliwa Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 10: Departure
After a good night sleep and a leisurely breakfast you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your departing flight. (B)
Note: O/N = Overnight, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
| Amount of persons: | Price p.p. (usd): |
| 2 people sharing | 2540.- |
| 4 people sharing | 2120.- |
| 6 people sharing | 2090.- |
| Note: prices are based on two adults and indicative. Single supplement is $ 180 | |
- Included:
- Meals as stipulated |B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner
- Emergency Evacuation Cover
- All transfers and activities as mentioned above
- Park fee, Conservation fees and Community Development Fees
- Accommodation as stipulated
- Water, Tea and Coffee During the Climb
- Excluded:
- Visa and airport departure tax
- Items of personal nature and not mentioned in the above itinerary
- Tips for Guides, Assistant Guides, Porters and Cooks
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Through our Community Development foundation, the African Roots Foundation, Bush2Beach Safaris actively supports rural communities in Tanzania's Bush and Beach.