CLIMBING KILIMANJARO VIA THE MACHAME ROUTE 7 DAYS/ 6 NIGHTS
2024
Program overview
The Machame route is one of the longest and most spectacular scenic routes to the roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. This is a relatively difficult route, with longer and much steeper steps, although the flatter middle section allows for better acclimatization. To complete this ascent and reach the summit via Gillman's Point, you'll need a total of 6 days. The descent is via the Marangu or Mweka route.
Highlights of the trip
During your stay you can enjoy the following highlights: Discovery, Adventure / Sports & Leisure, Off the beaten track, Nature travel, Travelling alone and travelling in a group.
Best months to go
The best time(s) to go is/are : Janvier, Février, Mars, Avril, Mai, Juin, Juillet, Août, Septembre, Octobre, Novembre, Décembre.
You can go all year round.
How to get there?
You can get there by , Tourism bus.
VOLCANO ADVENTURES
From 1000€ à 1650€ / person
Travel suitable for :
Detail of the stay : CLIMBING KILIMANJARO VIA THE MACHAME ROUTE 7 DAYS/ 6 NIGHTS - 8 days
Weru weru river lodge
Steps: Moshi
Day 1: KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - MOSHI
Arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Moshi, about 45 minutes drive away. Check-in at your hotel for a half-board stay.
MOSHI - VILLAHE NACHAME (1800m) - MACHAME CAMP (3040m)
Steps: Kilimandjaro
Day 2: MOSHI - VILLAHE NACHAME (1800m) - MACHAME CAMP (3040m)
Departure for the entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park (at Machame Gate). En route, you'll pass through the village of Machame, located on the first slopes of the volcano. Meet your head guide for a briefing, and the porters will divide up the packs and carry food, water, cooking gear and other equipment. You'll be transferred to Kilimanjaro National Park headquarters, where you'll go through the various formalities to confirm your registration. You'll walk through a tropical forest to the first camp. It will take between six and eight hours to reach Machame camp on the edge of the forest.
MACHAME CAMP (3040m) - SHIRA CAMP (3840m)
Steps: Kilimandjaro
Day 3: MACHAME CAMP (3040m) - SHIRA CAMP (3840m)
Although this day is considered to be the easiest of your ascent, you'll still encounter a few challenging passages. If the weather is clear, you should be able to admire Uhuru Peak. You take a steep path through a savannah of tall grasses, volcanic stones... Arriving at the Shira plateau, some four hours' walk away, covers an area that formed when a gigantic lava flow filled an ancient crater. Mount Kibo is visible to the west and Mount Meru to the east. Dinner and overnight at the Shira hut at 3,840 m. At night, the sky is covered with thousands of stars and you can admire the famous Southern Cross and hear the cries of jackals in the distance.
Places of interest : VOIE MACHAME
SHIRA CAMP (3840m) - LAVA TOWER - BARRANCO CAMP (3950m)
Steps: Kilimandjaro
Day 4: SHIRA CAMP (3840m) - LAVA TOWER - BARRANCO CAMP (3950m)
This day is crucial to your acclimatization and the success of your final ascent. At the same time, it's one of the most beautiful stages of your journey. By early afternoon, you'll have climbed 690m to reach 4530m before descending to Barranco Camp. You'll have the chance to admire some strange geological formations known as "lava towers". This stage marks the transition to Kilimanjaro's alpine zone, a region where the flora is essentially composed of lichen, the only plant capable of living at this altitude. The moorland gradually gives way to alpine desert zones. Arrival at Barranco Camp, around six hours' walk away.
This camp is set in a magnificent valley, with breathtaking views of Mount Meru. There are also views of the Heim Glacier, the southern slopes of Kibo, and the imposing Barranco Wall.
Places of interest : VOIE MACHAME
BARRACO CAMP (3950m) - KARANGA VALLEY - BARAFU CAMP (4500m)
Steps: Arusha
Day 5: BARRACO CAMP (3950m) - KARANGA VALLEY - BARAFU CAMP (4500m)
It will take you at least six to seven hours to reach Barafu Camp at 4600m. An impressive climb up the steep Barranco wall. After a lunch break in the Karanga valley, you climb up a moraine to Barafu Camp. To your right, the majestic Mawenzi awaits you, and above your head, your goal, Kibo.
BARAFU CAMP (4600m) - UHURU PEAK (5895m) - MWEKA CAMP (3100m)
Steps: Kilimandjaro
Day 6: BARAFU CAMP (4600m) - UHURU PEAK (5895m) - MWEKA CAMP (3100m)
This day marks the longest and most difficult stage of your ascent of Kilimanjaro, the summit of the roof of Africa, as you set off early in the morning (between 00:30 and 01:00) to begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. It will be very cold at the start of the day (-10o / -18o C) and you'll be climbing by the light of your headlamps. A steep path takes you to the crater rim at Stella Point. From Stella Point the climb is gentler, but the altitude makes it long and extremely tiring. The hike to the crater rim takes about an hour. If you're quick, you should be able to watch the sunrise from the summit. From Stella Point, you hike through snow and ice to the highest point in Africa. You won't stay long at the summit, due to the altitude and the bitter cold (-10o to -20o depending on the season). The descent to Mweka Camp offers magnificent views of the mountain, glaciers and clouds. Lunch break at Barafu camp, followed by a three- to four-hour hike to Mweka camp. This evening, you'll enjoy your last mountain dinner and a well-deserved rest.
MWEKA CAMP (3100m) - MWEKA GATE (1800m) - MOSHI
Steps: Kilimandjaro
Day 7: MWEKA CAMP (3100m) - MWEKA GATE (1800m) - MOSHI
After breakfast, continue downhill to the Kiboloni Gate entrance. Meet your driver for your transfer to your hotel in Moshi. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
MOSHI TOWN - KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Steps: Moshi
Day 8: MOSHI CITY - KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the international airport to board your return flight.
