BIG EXPEDITIONS AND SAFARIS DEPART EVERDAY - THESE ARE SPECIAL SCHEDULE

JOIN NOW!! - A GROUP FOR THE TRIPS FROM JANUARY 2011 - CHOOSE BELOW

Code # BE1: - 3 Days / 2 Nights Wildlife Safari - (Status - Available)
Code # BE2: - 4 Days / 2 Nights Wildlife Safari - (Status - Available)
Code # BE3: - 8 Days / 7 Nights Wildlife Safari - (Status - Available)
Code # BE4: - 7 Days / 6 Nights Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Machame Route - (Status - Available)
Code # BE5: - 6 Days / 5 Nights Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Rongai Route - (Status - Available)

MACHAME ROUTE KILIMANJARO CLIMBING - 7 Days / 6 Nights

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Machame Route. Duration:
6 Days | Total hiking distance: About 100 km

Machame is referred to as the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro due to the fact that it has authentic view of the Kilimanjaro and the only route which offers proper acclimatization during the climb. The Machame route takes you high to Lava Tower (4630m) on the day 3 and brings you down by nearly 700 m for an overnight at Barranco camp (3950m). This is the secret to successful acclimatization.

Where accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame route offers strictly tents only. This makes Machame (also referred to as the "Whiskey route") better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, rewarding him with a scenic splendor such as not seen on the Marangu route. From late afternoon sunsets at Shira, to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco wall, the Machame route offers the adventurous hiker a stunning scenic "slide show".

Day 1: Arrival - Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will meet our representative who will transfer you to a designated hotel or lodge in Arusha for an overnight on bed and breakfast bases.

Day 2: Machame Gate (1490m) - Machame camp (2980m)
Hiking time: 7 hours | Distance: About 18 km's | Habitat: Montane forest

Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 1 hour and 15-minutes drive from Arusha to the Machame Village (1490m). Normal registration at the Machame gate and thereafter follows the trekking with you picnic lunch. Depending on the condition of the road, it is possible to drive from the village to the Machame gate, but if not, the muddy 3 km walk will take about 1 hour to complete.

There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience. Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will have erected your tent on your arrival. In the evening the porters will boil washing water and the cook will prepare dinner. Dinner and overnight on the tent at the Machame camp.

Day 3: Machame camp (2980m) - Shira camp (3840m)
Hiking time: 6 hours | Distance: About 9 km's | Habitat: Moorland

You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite at 3 840m. Dinner and overnight at the Shira camp before retire for overnight on the tent.

Day 4: Shira (3840m) - Lava Tower (4630m) - Barranco camp (3950m)
Hiking time: 7 hours | Distance: About 15 km's | Habitat: Semi desert

After breakfast in the morning the trek takes you to the east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m). After lunch you descent again by almost 700 m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower. Dinner and overnight at the Barranco camp.

Day 5: Barranco camp (3950m) - Barafu camp (4550m)
Hiking time: 7 hours | Distance: About 13 km's | Habitat: Alpine desert

Early morning you will have your breakfast and thereafter the trail will take you to Barafu campsite. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route.

The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent this same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. Dinner and an early sleep at Barafu camp before have been awakening at the mid night for a climb to the highest point the Uhuru Peak.

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.

An early wake up around 00hr30 and final preparation before starting ascending to the top of Africa, the Uhuru Peak. The trail will take you to the Stella Point (5685 m) and you will have a short rest (Do not stop here for too long as it will ruin your capacity to trek to the top) before continue to Uhuru Peak (5895 m). After taking some pictures and celebration you will trek down to Barafu camp to collect your belong and a cup of tea before continue down to Mweka hut (3100m).

Day 7: Mweka camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 3 hours | Distance: About 15 km's | Habitat: Forest

Early morning you will have your breakfast and thereafter trek down from Mweka camp to Mweka gate were you will meet our representatives. Normally all the successful climbers are awarded by Golden certificates and who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates. Celebration will follow with hot lunch served in a buffer style. You will drive to Arusha for a short rest at your hotel and preparation for your flight back home at Kilimanjaro International Airport.