Tour code: TTS 47:
Trip Narration: Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Machame route is a more natural climb in comparison to the Marangu Route, which has been modified to make an easier path. The Machame Route is more demanding, much quieter and scenic route but makes climbing Kilimanjaro all the more rewarding. Overnights are spent camping in tents, which are carried and pitched by the accompanying porters. Highlights of this route are the Shira Plateau, Barranco wall and the Karanga Valley reaching the summit via Stella Point.
Because this route is more taxing it is recommended that climbers should be physically fit.
Day-by-day program
Day 1:
Pick up at Kilimanjaro Airport, the final location of a previous building block or other location. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Arusha or Moshi.
Day 2:
Machame Gate (1490m) - Machame camp (2980m)
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: About 18 km's
Habitat: Montane forest
Machame gate to Machame hut, from the gate continue up to track which becomes a path after about an hour. It easy to follow as it continues to follow the ridge, raising steadily some steep sections. The gradient eases slightly as the forest merges into heather covered ground. You reach Machame hut in 10km after a 1,200m ascent and 5-7hrs of walking.
Day 3:
Machame camp (2980m) - Shira camp (3840m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 9 km's
Habitat: Moorland
Machame hut to Shira hut, from Machame hut cross the stream onto its West bank and follow the path up the steep rocky ridge crossing and re crossing a few time before reaching Shira hut and a semi-circular wall of the rocks. You will have ascended 840 m in 5-7hrs a 6km walking.
Day 4:
Shira (3840m)-Lava Tower (4630m)-Barranco camp (3950m)
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: About 15 km's
Habitat: Semi desert
Shira hut to Shira plateau, this is a good place to rest a day to acclimatize. You may spend your time in the camp and snooze in the sun all day.
Day 5:
Barranco camp (3950m)- Barafu camp (4550m)
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: About 13 km's
Habitat: Alpine desert
Shira plateau to Arrow Glacier, from Shira hut use path Lava Tower. After 3hrs of walking on some steep and good view have Great Barranco valley and Western Breach. So after 1,000m of ascent about 5km in 5-6hrs walking you reach arrow Glacier hut.
Day 6: SUMMIT ATTEMPT
Barafu camp (4550m)-Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak
7/8 hours to descend to Mweka
Distance: About 7 km's ascent - 23 km's descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Arrow Glaciers to Mweka hut. To ascent to the summit on this day you may involve 10½ or 14½ hrs usually to start this day's walk is early in the morning for the idea to see sunrise and also to avoid the morning mist, screen and snow, on the ascent it will be still be frozen. So after 3km, about 6-8hrs walking you reach arrow glacier hut.
Day 7:
Mweka hut to Mweka gate, after break fast descend steeply through the forest on a narrow path 10km of walking about 3-4hrs to reach Mweka gate after 1,400m of descent.
Day 8:
After breakfast, depart for your next destination, which is optional.
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End of Trip
