Safari Arts Expedition's (SAE) expert guides will safely take you to the top of the "Roof of Africa" using the Machame Route which is the best route for acclimatizing. The Machame Route now vies with the Marangu Route as the most popular trail. Machame is also the regarded by many guides as the most enjoyable, though it is longer and, according to most, more arduous. Despite this, the success rate on the Machame Route is higher (95% reach the summit) than on the Marangu Route, possibly because the Machame is a day longer at six days and five nights (assuming you take the Barafu Route to the summit) which gives trekkers more time to acclimatize. An extra acclimatization day can - and usually is - taken in the Karanga Valley.
Where does the Machame Route go?
It is not difficult to see why the Machame Route is so popular with everyone: beginning on the south-western side of the mountain, the trail passes through some of the mountain’s finest features, including the cloud forest of Kili’s southern slopes, the dry and dusty Shira Plateau and the delightful senecio-clad Barranco Campsite. To reach the actual summit you have a choice of two paths: most people head for the lengthy, long-winded climb up the Barafu trail, with the Rebmann Glacier edging into your field of vision on your left as dawn breaks behind Mawenzi on your right. Alternatively, the more adventurous can go on the Western Breach Route, departing from the regular trail at Lava Tower on the western side of Kibo before heading up to chilly Arrow Glacier Campsite, then pressing on from there to the crater floor, gaining access to the crater at a point near the Furtwangler Glacier. Many people will spend a night here at the Crater Campsite, before pushing on up the crater’s southern rim to Uhuru Peak.
Unlike the Marangu Route, on the Machame Route you don’t use the same path to descend as you took to climb up the mountain, but instead you come down via the Mweka Route, a steep but very pretty descent encompassing inhospitably dry mountain desert and lush lowland forest in a matter of a few hours.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Be warmly greeted by an SAE representative and travel to your hotel in Arusha for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Day tour of Arusha National Park. Stretch out your legs after long flights with a walking safari inside the park. Enjoy a game drive around Momela Lake. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: The day begins with a check in at Kilimanjaro National Park's Machame Gate Office, and then either a walk or a short drive about 2.5 kilometers to the official trailhead depending on road conditions, which are often too muddy for vehicles.
Machame Gate (1,634 m/5,363 ft) to Machame Hut (2,834 m/9,300 ft)
Hike time: 7.5 hrs
Elevation change: +1,200 m/+3,937 ft
Estimated distance: 10km/6.21 miles
Final elevation: ,3100 m/10,170 ft
Initially the trails threads through the cloud forest before arriving at Machame Camp in late afternoon.
Day 4: Machame Hut (2,834 m/9,300 ft) to Shira Hut (3,749 m/12,300 ft)
Hike time: 7 hrs
Elevation change: +800 m/+3,000 ft
Estimated distance: 6km/3.75 miles
Final elevation: 3,800 m/12,467 ft
The trail emerges early from the cloud forest and most of the day is spent on moorlands before reaching the famous views of the Shira Plateau and later the Shira Camp. The climb on this day is not as steep as the day previous, but this night is likely to be cold- probably a little below freezing.
Day 5: Shira Hut (3,749 m/12,300 ft) to Barranco Hut (3,901 m/12,800 ft)
Hike time: 5 hrs
Elevation change: +100 m/+328 ft
Estimated distance: ?
Final elevation: 3,900 m/12,800 ft
The morning climb is somewhat steep on this day as you climb to Lava Tower at 4,600 meters at midday before descending again on the scenic route to Barranco Camp. This is a great example of the climb high/sleep low rule that helps people acclimatize safely.
Day 6: Barranco Hut (3,900 m/12,800 ft) to Karanga Valley (3,963 m/13,000 ft)
Hike time: 3.5 hrs
Elevation change: +100 m/+328 ft
Estimated distance: 4km/2.5 miles
Final elevation: 3,963 m/13,000 ft
You climb the Great Barranco Wall, which looks more intimidating than it really is, and down into the Karanga Valley. This day has many ups and downs and crosses many small streams before crossing the Karanga River just before camp.
Day 7: Karanga Valley (3,963 m/13,000 ft) to Barafu Hut (4,600 m/15,091 ft)
Hike time: 3.5 hrs
Elevation change: +600 m/+1,968 ft
Estimated distance: 4km/2.5 miles
Final elevation: 4,600 m/15,091 ft
Today the route moves through rocky and otherwise barren terrain on your way to Barafu Camp. The camp is in another cold and windy area, but you’ll only be sleeping from around 7 p.m. until 11: 30 p.m. or so thanks to the summit climb commencing at midnight.
Day 8: Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,091 ft) to The Summit (5,896 m/19,343 ft) and then to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft)
Summit time: 7 hrs
Elevation change: +1,300 m/+4,265 ft
Estimated distance: 5km/3.2 miles
Final elevation: 5,896 m/19,343 ft
Descent time: 5 hrs
Elevation change: -2,800 m/-9,186 ft
Estimated distance: 12km/7.5 miles
Final elevation: 3,100 m, 10,170 ft
Today kicks off at midnight with by far the most challenging 6-hour section of entire climb as you reach Stella Point around sunrise. After a short rest you’ll probably be walking in snow for the next two hours until you reach Uhuru Peak, AKA the summit! After enjoying the moment briefly you will begin your descent to the Mweka Camp back under cover of the cloud forest, about an 8 hour trek including a quick rest midway at Barafu Camp.
Day 9: Mweka Hut (3,100 m/10,170 ft) to Mweka Gate (1,828 m/6,000 ft)
Descent time: 4 hrs
Elevation change: -1,250 m/-4,101 ft
Estimated distance: 10km/6.21
Final elevation: 1,828 m/6,000 ft
After the previous day you’ll deserve this short and very scenic descent of about 4 hours down to the Mweka Gate, where you’ll sign the register to make your climb official. Travel back to Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
Day 10: You will have a day room at the hotel. Spend the day souvenir shopping and in the evening, you will be transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. SAE can arrange for a shuttle to the Nairobi airport if needed.
Price per person: $2350
Non-refundable deposit per person: $400
PRICE INCLUDES:
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- International airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Tip
- Shuttle Ticket(s) to and from Nairobi
- Extra day(s) if needed for shuttle(s)
- Private interest
- Alcohol, cigarettes, etc.