MT.Kilimanjaro Machame Routs

MACHAME ROUTE 7 DAYS
7 days on the mountain –Recommended! – recommended

This trek starts above the picturesque mountain village of Machame to the south of Kilimanjaro. After passing through the forest and into the moorland zone, we encounter an easy rock scramble and eventually emerge onto the Shira Plateau. We will then proceed clockwise below the southern face of Kibo, climb Lava Tower for magnificent 360 degree vistas, ascend the Great Barranco Wall, a challenging and exhilarating scramble, and approach Uhuru Summit from Barafu and the ridge that abuts the South East Valley. This approach provides incredible views of Mawenzi, Kilimanjaro’s remnant volcanic cone.

Day 1: Machame Gate (1800m – 2 hours drive) to Machame Camp (3000m – 5 to 6 hours walk)
After breakfast we will drive to the Machame Gate, where you will meet your mountain crew and enter the Kilimanjaro National Park. We begin our climb at 1800m , walking a few hours through thick and undisturbed tropical forest, your cook will stop a half way and prepare the hot lunch then diner and overnight at Machame camp. With luck we may see the colobus monkeys that live in the forest.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp (3840m – 4 to 5 hours walk)
Today is an easy paced acclimatization day. We will hike over streams, a river gorge, and moorlands. Camp is located on the Shira Plateau, providing expansive views of Kilimanjaro. There is a conditioning hike in the afternoon where you can enjoy the clusters of giant lobelias and senecios that grow at this elevation. Depending on the weather condition your cook may stop half way for the hot lunch or continue to the camp for lunch, diner and overnight at Shira camp.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Baranco camp (3950m – 5 to 6 hours walk) via Lava Tower (4600m)
Today is another acclimatization day as we have a mostly uphill climb of 5 hours to an elevation over 4500m at Lover tower then descend to Baranco Valley at 3950m. We will pass through the alpine moorland zone where plants are extremely hardy and consist of lichens, grasses, and heather, to reach Kilimanjaro’s alpine desert zone. You will have a spectacular view of the steep Western Breach, which we will not be doing on this climb. After having a hot lunch at Lover tower we will have approximately 1 and half hours descent to the baranco Valley which is dominated by the beautiful giant senecions and Lobelia moorland forest where your camp will be set. This scramble will help prepare you for the climb tomorrow.
Day 4: Baranco Camp to Karanga Valley Camp (4015 m ), 4 hours walk.
Today we will climb the Great Barranco rock wall - not too steep but challenging for some – which our guides make safe and accessible for every¬one. We will go pole pole (meaning “slowly” in Kiswahili). You will be able to see the breathtaking Heim Glacier. We descend into the Karanga Valley and then to our camp on a ridge above the valley, where you will be able to enjoy a hot lunch and rest.
Day 5: Karanga Valley Camp to Barafu Camp (4600m), 3.5 hours walk
As we begin trekking today the trail turns steadily uphill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we work our way to Barafu Camp. Barafu means “ice” in Kiswahili. The Camp is set on an exposed ridge and is the staging point for our push to the summit. After an early dinner we will rest. At midnight, under the stars and hopefully a brightly shining moon, we will begin the final ascent. We are going to go pole pole and drink plenty of water and tea, refuel with small snacks, and enjoy this final climb to the summit ‘’ Uhuru Peak which is the highest point of the cone’’.
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5895m – 6 to 7 hours walk) to Mweka Camp (3000m - 5 hours descending)
We will reach Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro at 5895m. around 8 a.m. At this early hour, before the clouds close in, you will have spectacular views of Africa in all directions. The hiking time is 7 to 8 hours. After a brief stay of 15-20 minutes and photos all around, we will descend 2 to 3 hours to our Barafu Camp for lunch, rest, and to pick up belongings. Then we continue downhill 3 hours to the edge of the Mweka Forest. Tonight’s camp is 3000m below the summit! It is a long descent and trekking poles are recommended. Eat, share your experiences of the climb, and sleep soundly. Congratulations, you made it to the Roof of Africa!
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Arusha.
After well sleep and breakfast, you will have a time to take a group photo with your climbing crew, then descending again through the tropical forest, the trail is rather steep than the Machame side, it may also be wet and slippery so we recommend using walking pole for this final descent. At the Mweka gate you will sign out of the park, for those who have made it to the top will be rewarded by Kilimanjaro certificate for souvenir then the car will drive you to Moshi where you will have a lunch then continue to your hotel in Arusha for a shower and big relax.
End of the Climb

Ilkiding'a - Arusha Region TCTP
The following is on offer:

A visit to a local traditionally built household to get an idea of how an extended family lives together

Traditional dancing: We can bring the dance to you or you can bring the people to the dance.

A walk through coffee plantations and open fields where potatoes, cabbages, maize, beans and other cash crops are cultivated by the villagers.

A visit to a traditional healer, who is ready to answer all your questions and give advice if needed a visit to the craftsmen prepared by the Mainyoito Women’s Group at one of the households

A visit to the primary school where money generated from tourism as Development Fees is used to rehabilitate the school

The pleasure of impressive viewpoints overlooking Arusha town, hiking along narrow footpaths, crossing a canyon and climbing small hills. You can take a half day tour, full day tour or a 3 day south-west Meru cultural hike. A fourth option is an 8-hour walking trip from Arusha to the starting point, where you connect with the full day tour.

Mto Wa Mbu Cultural Tourism Programme
Mto wa Mbu is situated on the way from Arusha to the national parks in northern Tanzania, just at the foot of the Rift Valley. Located on the way to Ngorongoro and Serengeti, it is an ideal resting place for most safari travellers. A visit to Mto Wa Mbu includes: A walk thought the farms in the green oasis at the foot of the Rift Valley - A climb to Balaa Hill from where you can see the whole town - A view into the culture of the many different tribes living in the area - A trip to the Miwaleni Lake and waterfall - Visit to development projects that aim at improving agriculture and start income generating activities for the farmers - Explanation about the irrigation system