Machame Traditional
Tour Highlights
The Machame or “Whiskey” route is a popular option on Mount Kilimanjaro. This route offers the good scenic variety of five vegetation zones, the Shira Plateau, to the great Barranco Valley well known for its ancient Giant-Groundsel (Senecio) trees. You will take in the extraordinary views extending hundreds of miles including views of the magnificent southern Ice fields and Mawenzi Peak. If your schedule allows, we recommend our Machame Extra Acclimatization option instead of this 6 day option – that extra day of acclimatization time really makes a difference.
Safari Itinerary
A short drive brings us to the Machame trailhead (~5,700’). After the climbers and crew have checked in with the park rangers, we will hike up through the montane forests, winding up the mossy jungle, making our way to Machame Hut camp. Here you’ll get your first views of the peak.
Hiking: 6-8 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~9,900′
After breakfast, our hike continues through the forest. We will take our time, soaking in the scenery as we make our way through the moorlands. We will be treated to spectacular views of Kibo peak.
Hiking: 6-7 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~12,500′
Today is a long day but lots of acclimatization as you climb high, sleep low. We will take an acclimatization hike to Lava Tower (~15,000’) for lunch, before descending to the Barranco valley. For those who have energy, and if time and weather permit, there’s the possibility to scramble up the Lava Tower itself. The scenery is amazing today, passing through different ecological zones of the mountain.
Hiking: 6-8 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~13,500′
Today is another long day of hiking as your continue your Southern Circuit traverse. You’ll hike up and down several valleys as you go from Barranco camp to Barafu Camp. Start up the great Barranco Wall (which is achievable for everyone but can be intimidating with its steep cliffs), hike past Karanga camp and eventually to Barafu camp. Here, you’ll eat and rest for a few hours before arising about 11:00 PM to start tomorrow’s summit ascent.
Hiking: 7-9 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~15,100′
Start hiking at around midnight, using your headlamps to lead the way slowly up to Stella Point and then the summit. Due to the altitude, you will hike slowly, and will need to dress warmly for the cold. After celebrating with photos at the summit, descend down to Mweka camp.
Hiking: 6-7 hours ascent to the summit, then 6-9 hours of descent
Summit: ~19,341′
Overnight Altitude: ~10,500′
We make the final descent through the rain forest to Mweka Gate. Here we will have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Drive back to Arusha for a hot shower and a celebratory dinner.
Hiking: 3-5 hours
INCLUSIONS
Group climb prices are in US Dollars, per person, based on twin or double occupancy. Our prices include ground transportation to and from the trailhead, guides, porters, park fees (these and any government mandated taxes/fees are subject to government increase after booking), 2 nights lodging before the climb and one night after the climb (usually at Planet Lodge, but other options are possible too), all meals during the climb and some meals while staying at hotels/lodges, portable camping toilet in a privacy tent, safety/emergency gear including Gamow bag (hyperbaric chamber), oxygen (brought for emergencies not routine use), pulse oximeter, group first aid kit. Airport transfers (Kilimanjaro or Arusha town airports, or hotels/bus station in Arusha) are included but only if you arrive and depart on the assigned group dates. For arrivals and departures on other dates we charge airport transfer fees extra.
Single Supplement
If you request a single room/tent, we charge a single supplement of $700 US Dollars. If you are traveling solo and willing to share a room/tent, we charge a single supplement of $700 US Dollars but it is waived if a room-mate/tent-mate can be found for you (ie someone else in the group of the same gender is available and willing to share). In the rare case of a climb with only one person in the group, the client may eat meals in the cook tent rather than having a separate mess tent, table and chairs just for one person.
EXCLUSIONS
Our prices exclude flights, tips/gratuities, bottled water/beverages at lodges, and travel visas.
