KILIMANJARO: NORTHWESTERN MACHAME ROUTE

9 DAY / 8 NIGHT

Machame / Shira / Moir / Barranco / Karanga / Barafu / Crater / Uhuru Peak / Mweka

Itinerary:

TOUR REF:   SUN MT. KILIMANJARO 08

 

Often called the ‘‘Whiske Route ’’ this is a scenically beautiful trail ,longer and much gentler than Umbwe or Marangu which is known by the ‘‘Coca Cola Route ’’ .

Our itinerary provides valuable acclimatization by having shorter walking days during the trek to the 19,440  feet (5696 M)  summit and return.

The route done in  9 Days  includes an extra day at Moir Hut which is important for acclimatization.

Day 01:

Arusha - Machame village – Machame CAMP
9850 ft/ ALT 3,000M

Pick up at your place Arusha and drive to the Machame gate. You will start with a gentle climb  up through the original mountain forest  carpeted with the unique ‘‘Buzy Lizzie’’ flowers begonias and ferns.

The hike through the rainforest is filled with interest scenery, although it feels curiously enclosed for a mountain side. Mist and cloud are common during the late morning to mid-afternoon, and on arrival at Machame Camp, you may see disappointingly little, but the early morning brings better views at this height.

Your first camp will be amongst the giant and heather at 3,000m (9850 ft) at Machame Camp.

Drive 2 Hrs, 10 KM, The ascend will be 1,200M ( 5-6 hr of Trek).

Dinner and overnight at Machame Camp.

Day 02:

MACHAME CAMP – SHIRA CAMP
12,600 ft/ ALT 3840M

After an early breakfast, you set off towards Shira plateau, Emerge from the giant heather zone and hike through fine open moorland to camp by the Shira Cave at 3840m (12,600ft). There are Herds of Eland  up here and occasional silver backed Jackals.

Also, there are fascinating geological features in the old volcanic caldera which can be viewed during a half hour optional walk in the afternoon.

6 KM, The ascend will be 840M (2,500ft) ( 4-5 hrs of Trek) .

Dinner and Overnight Shira Camp.

Day 03:

SHIRA CAMP – MOIR HUT CAMP
10,950 ft  /ALT 3500M

From Shira Cave climb up through the moorland and rocks via the Shira Two to Moir  Hut Camp 3500M.

Here also you will find intriguing geological features in the old volcanic rocks.

The ascent will be 640m (2,500ft), 3-4 hours of walking.

 Dinner and overnight at Moir Camp.

Day 04:

MOIR HUT CAMP – BARRANCO CAMP
12,950 ft / ASL 3950M

From Moir climb towards the main peak with the western glaciers clearly visible across the rugged high altitude desert  to volcanic rocks and boulders, skirting around its base and under the shattered Barranco valley to Barranco Wall Way Camp at 3950M. This will be 5-7 hours trek via to Lava Tower rocks, 110M Total Ascend and after having climbed high to acclimatize and descend down low to overnight.

Dinner and Overnight Barranco Camp.

Day 05:

BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP
13,100ft / ALT 3995M

Climb the steep Barranco wall which includes some sections of scrambling and descend down again to the Karanga valley at 3,800m (12,700ft). This is a short walking day 3-4 hours with less exertion and good rest.

Dinner and Overnight Karanga Valley Camp

Day 06:

KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP
15,200ft (4,630m)

Trek up to Barafu camp perched high on a rocky bluff at 4,750m (15,200ft) with fantastic views across to Mawenzi peak and a bit less to climb on the following morning.

This is another short walking day about 4 hrs (950m ) with less exertion and good rest in afternoon immediately before the hard summit to the Crater Camp.

Dinner and Overnight Crater Camp.

Day 07:

BARAFU CAMP – CRATER CAMP
19,000ft / ALT 5,737M

From Barafu Camp 15,200ft (4,630m) , Around morning enjoy breakfast and start to climb the steep scree.

This is unavoidable on any route but we aim to reach Stella Point to Crater Camp.

Descend 100M to Crater Camp and after lunch a walk of 2-3 hrs back to the crater rim .

Dinner and overnight Crater Camp.

Day 08:

CRATER CAMP – UHURU PEAK – MWEKA CAMP
19,340ft (5896m)

From Crater Camp ALT 5,737M,  around 6:00am in the morning enjoy breakfast and start to climb the steep frozen scree. This is unavoidable on the route but we aim to reach Uhuru peak for sunrise, another 40 minutes and you’re at the highest point on the continent 5,895m (19,340ft) usually in warm sunshine .

After lunch return on the Mweka descent route, descend over 2-3 hrs back to Barafu Camp for Lunch.

After lunch descending to Mweka Camp (3-4 hrs walk)

Dinner and overnight Mweka Camp.

Day 09:

MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE
4,000ft (3,100m )

A morning descent of 4-5 hours through the forest brings us to Mweka gate where you will be awarded climbing certificates and have lunch .

After saying farewell to your crew you are picked up and transferred back to Arusha  which takes about 2 hrs drive.

PRICE INCLUDES:

Transfers to/ from the gate, park fees, hut / camping fees, rescue fees, Meals, tea, coffee, guide, porters and tent.

PRICE EXCLUDES:

Tips drinks, climbing gears, sleeping bags and all items of  personal use.

TEMPERATURE LOWER SLOPES

Day Time: 15-20 centigrade.
Nights: Chilly -5 centigrade.

TEMPERATURE HIGHER ALTITUDE:

Day Time  5-6 centigrade.
Night dropping to  - 10 centigrade.

TIPS ON WHAT TO BRING:

Anorak, Fleece, Walking Boots, Training shoes, Waterproof Jacket, Pants, Shirts, Trousers, Skirts, Socks, Gloves, Sun Hat, Balaclava / Woolen Hat, Gaiters, Thermal Underwear, Towel, Toiletries, Toilet Paper, Sun Glasses, Snow Goggles, Water Bottle, Walking Pole, Crampons, Torch / Flashlight, Sun Cream / Sun block, Lip salve, Penknife, Daypack, Camera, Films, Four Season Sleeping Bag,  water Purification Kit and First-aid Kit.