Machame

This is probably the most beautiful way to climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. With a lovely, gradual ascent through forest you emerge to see wide views of the moorland on Shira Plateau and further on the crags and snow of Kibo and the Western Breach. Beautiful and varied vegetation enhances the scenery along the route.  For those who want a slightly more technical climb on Mount Kilimanjaro, we recommend a Uhuru summit from Arrow Glacier camp (through the Western Breach), but less challenging routes can be taken from Barranco Hut. 

Itinerary

Day 1

After and early morning pick up from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi will drive to the Machame village.  Here will do final packing, organize porters and, if need be, purchase last foodstuffs for the trek. Depending on the condition of the road with will either drive or hike on a dirt track another 3 kms through coffee farms and forest to the Park gate.   At the gate we will spend an hour or so registering and paying park fees.   A clear trail  continues up through plantation and natural forest to the ridge between the Weru Stream and the Makoa Stream until the main trailhead is reached.   From here a narrow forest (sometimes soggy and wet) path continues up to Machame Campsite.

Day 2-3

After hiking through the forest, the trail and vegetation will dry and you will hike up a steep boulder ridge. At 3-4 hours the trail goes west into a gorge and ascends to Shira Hut/Camp on the Shira Plateau. We will spend a second night in this area around 16,000 feet, doing day hikes to higher altitudes to acclimatize.   Alternatively, we will travel to Barranco, Moir or Lava Tower Camp to spend the third night.

Day 4

We will travel to a short distance to Arrow Glacier above the Lava Tower camp.  At the glacier you will have impressive views of the Shira plateau behind you and a rock/scree ridge, the Western Breach, in front of you leading up to the crater rim.   Alternatively, we take a more moderate Barranco Trail if the Western Breach is to be avoided.

Day 5

Day five will begin shortly after Day four is over.  We will break camp early between 1 and 3 a.m. for the last push to Uhuru Peak through the Western Breach.  After crossing glacial scree we will head straight up through a steep boulder field (this part of the route is strenuous and not recommended for anyone acrophobia).  At the top...Kibo crater.  Another 1-2 hours and Uhuru Peak will have been reached.   Mount Kilimanjaro, the top of Africa.

From the peak, any route down can be taken, but we recommend Marangu or Mweke.   Mweke is less traveled and affords beautiful views of the mountain as we descend to Mweke camp slightly below the tree line.

Day 6

Down through the forest and to the Mweke trailhead/gate.  Our car will pick you up and return you by dinner to your hotel.  A hot shower will be awaiting you...

Distances

Machame village to Park gate: 30 min
Park gate to trailhead: 1-2 hrs
Trailhead to Machame Huts: 4-5 hrs
Machame Huts to Shira Hut 5 hrs
Shira to Arrow Glacier Camp 4 hrs
Arrow to Uhuru Peak 6-8 hrs
Uhuru to Mweke Camp 3-6 hrs

Huts/Camp

Machame Huts - 3000 m. These are 2 unfurnished uniports, which each can sleep 6. Water can be found in a stream about 5 minutes down valley below the huts and there; platform toilets. Shira and other upper huts.

The uniports are old and have not been maintained well by the Kilimanjaro park service.  They are primitive metal structures and are used by the porters/guides for accommodations.   They also serve as the cooking area.

Guests sleep in tents which we provide.  The only equipment you will need is your own sleeping bag.  We normally use 2-person tents, but please let us know if other arrangements are needed.

Pricing Information

All prices include all park fees, salaries of guides/porters/cook, all meals on the mountain, equipment and transfer to/from Arusha or Moshi. Discounts can also be arranged for larger groups.  Not included:  tips and items of a personal nature.