KILIMANJARO MACHAME ROUTE – 8 DAYS from $2300 pps

DAY 1:  ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER TO ARUSHA

Touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport where your own personal driver will be waiting to greet you. Let your driver whisk you away to your chosen hotel in the bright and bustling city of Arusha – gateway to Tanzania. Arusha is the beating heart of the wild – the last port of civilization before heading out into dense jungles and rich savannah plains. The markets of Arusha burst with color, and throng with locals picking up their weekly wares. The numerous cafes sell dark and deliriously good coffee from the plantations, and close by the infamous Arusha National Park lures visitors in to explore her evocative Maasai culture and exotic flora and fauna. In the evening you will enjoy a quick briefing which will be conducted by professional Long Way Expeditions mountain guide about your trekking, and to ensure that you are ready for climbing.

DAY 2:  MACHAME GATE TO MACHAME CAMP

You will leave Machame gate (1 800m) after your final preparation for the climb and start trekking through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable) on a winding trail to the first camp, which is located to an attitude of 3 048m. Continue a short distance until you reach Machame Hut (3000 m). Your crews will make a camp and prepare the evening meal for you. This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended that you read the following instructions from this point on:

Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine. Drink over 4 litres of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently) Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies. At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Trekking from Machame Gate to Machame Camp:
Change in Elevation: Machame Gate (1 800m) – Machame Camp (3 010m)
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 5–6 hour

DAY 3:  MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP

After breakfast, you leave Machame Camp and start trekking to the rain forest and continue on an ascending path to Shira Camp (3 845 m). Walk along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather and followed by a gentle incline. The trekking is not difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude.  After lunch a descent and ascent brings you to the camp with a walking time of approximately 5 hours. Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp:
Change in Elevation: Machame Camp (3 010m) – Shira Camp (3 845m)
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4 – 5 hours

Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3 845m) – Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4 120m)
Hiking distance: 2 km
Hiking time: 1 – 2 hours

DAY 4:  SHIRA CAMP TO THE LAVA TOWER AND DESCENT TO BARRANCO CAMP

From the Shira Camp (3 845m) you continue eastwards, passing the junction towards the key point of the route Lava Tower (4 630m). The climb is for some 5km and will take approximately 8 hours. This section of the route has many ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4 600m. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimatize to the altitude, you have to spend at least 1-2 hours here, and here is where you will have lunch. Now you will descend to Barranco Camp at an altitude of 3 960m. Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and stiffness. Then it is time to rest, enjoy dinner and overnight.

Note: If one or more participants feel sick, the group may refrain from passing the Lava Tower and adjust the route, following instead the road for porters. In this case you will not reach an altitude of 4 630 m, reaching only to a maximum of 4 400m.

Trekking from Shira Camp to Barranco Camp:
Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3 845m) — Lava Tower (4 630m) — Barranco Camp (3 960m)
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 6–8 hours

DAY 5:  BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP

We recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid overcrowding with other groups. You will continue to hike up to the gorge wall.  This is not difficult and only takes an hour.  After the climb you can rest and take some photos in front of the Kibo volcano. Thereafter you will start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which has numerous ascents and descents along the route.  Don’t worry, you will manage with the help of our expert guides.

Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp:
Change in Elevation: Barranco Camp (3 960m) — Karanga Camp (4 035m)
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours

Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4 035m) – Destination point en route to Barafu Camp (4 270m)
Hiking distance: 2.5 km
Hiking time: 1-2 hours

DAY 6:  KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

DAY 7:  ASCENT TO UHURU PEAK AND DESCENT TO MILLENNIUM CAMP

From Barafu Camp (4 640m) to Uhuru Peak (5 895m), you will leave Barafu at night and start the summit of Kilimanjaro. The biggest challenge here is high altitude but the climb is relative simple. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and after a 2 hours rest continue your descent to Millenium Camp (3 820m). Note: Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please tread carefully, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.

Trekking from Barafu Camp to Millennium Camp:
Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4 640m) – Uhuru Peak (5 895m) – Millennium Camp (3 820m)
Hiking distance: 15 km
Hiking time: 8–12 hour

DAY 8:  DESCENT FROM MILLENNIUM CAMP TO MWEKA GATE

The descent from your camp which is located in a tropical rainforest will take you about 4 hours to Mweka Gate (1 650m). You will feel more relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you. Lastly we will present you with your commemorative certificate in our office, and transfer back to your hotel.

Trekking from Millennium Camp to Mweka Camp:
Change in Elevation: Millennium Camp (3 820m) – Mweka Gate (1 650m)
Hiking distance: 12 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Departure rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport. Note: Hotel check-out is at 10:00 am, an in case you need a late check-out due to an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.