7 Days Machame Route – Monarch Safari Guides

7 Days
Machame Route

Courtesy of your Vacation Matchmakers

Overview

THE MACHAME ROUTE (7days) is the second most accessible trailhead and one of the most scenic routes, with sweeping views across the Maasai Steppe to Mount Meru and over the impressive Barranco Valley. It is infinitely quieter than the Marangu route.

The advantages of the Machame route are its accessibility (the trailhead is on the western side of the mountain and close to a good tarmac road), the descent is by a different trail (Mweka) which allows climbers to see more of the mountain; and avoid upcoming trekkers, and the option to take the Western Breach route from Shira Camp onwards.

The Machame Route begins on the southern side of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Machame is a popular route well-known for its incredible scenery. As a result, it is also the route with the most traffic.

Please remember that both our Standard and All-Inclusive Packages include:

2 Nights at a Premium Hotel prior to the climb
1 Night at a Premium Hotel post climb.
In total, this trip with us takes you 10 days (not including flights).

Itenerary

DAY 1: RAINFOREST ZONE – MACHAME GATE

We drive from Arusha to the Machame Gate which is located on the southern side of the mountain. This drive takes approximately 1.5-2 hours.

Starting at the Machame Gate (5,718 ft or 1,748m) we will be climbing to Machame Camp (9,350 ft or 2,850m). This trek takes approximately 5-7 hours and is through the Tropical Rainforest Zone. Overnight at Machame Camp.

DAY 2: SHIRA 2 CAMP – MOORLAND/HEATHER ZONE

Starting our day off in the Rainforest Zone at Machame Camp (9,350 ft or 2,850m), we will be leaving the Rainforest Zone to head to our next campsite, Shira 2 Camp (12,621 ft or 3,847m).

We are now entering the next ecological zone, the Moorland/Heather Zone. Trees are scarcer and small plants become more common.

Overnight at Shira 2 Camp.

DAY 3: BARRANCO CAMP – ALPINE DESERT ZONE

Starting at Shira 2 Camp (12,621 ft or 3,847m), we start trekking to our next camp – Barranco Camp (13,066 ft or 3,983 m). We hike towards the Lava Tower for lunch.

After having lunch, we begin to make our descent to Barranco Camp. The landscape becomes more and more desolate as desert starts to take over.

The views of the Great Breach Wall are fantastic from this camp, probably better than anywhere else on the mountain. We camp at Barranco Camp (13,066 ft or 3,983 m).

DAY 4: KARANGA CAMP – ALPINE DESERT ZONE

We climb from Barranco Camp (13,066ft or 3,983 m) to Karanga Camp (13,106ft or 3,994 m).

To get to Karanga Camp, we must cross over the Barranco Wall. This climb is not technical and you will have the guides to assist you. This trek takes approximately 4-5 hours to complete.

Afterwards we will rest for the remainder of the day. We camp overnight at Karanga Camp.

DAY 5: BARAFU CAMP – ALPINE DESERT ZONE

We climb from Karanga Camp (13,106ft or 3,994 m) to Barafu Camp (15,239ft or 4,644 m). This trek takes approximately 4-5 hours to complete.

Afterwards we will rest for the remainder of the day. We camp overnight at Barafu Camp. We will be going to sleep at about 7 pm, in order to wake up at 11 pm for our summit climb.

DAY 6: UHURU PEAK – SUMMIT DAY – ARCTIC ZONE

Starting at Barafu Camp (15,239ft or 4,644 m) we will begin our summit trek to Uhuru Peak (19,341ft or 5,895m). We will wake up at 11:00 PM the night before to get prepared and start trekking around midnight. This trek takes approximately 7 hours to complete.

You will be reaching the summit around sunrise. Congratulations on reaching the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. Spend a few minutes savoring your accomplishment and taking photos.

We descend via Stella Point, all the way down to Mweka Camp (10,204ft or 3,110 m) in the Moorland/Heather Zone. This descent portion takes approximately 6-8 hours.

DAY 7: MWEKA GATE & OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE

After breakfast, we continue to climb down to Mweka Gate (5,423ft or 1,653m) where we sign the Official Kilimanjaro National Park Register, have a cold drink, and get presented our official Kilimanjaro Certificate by our Head Guide. This last descent to the gate should take approximately 3-4 hrs.

We then head to our bus and head back to the Premium Hotel in Arusha. This drive takes approximately 3 hrs. You should be arriving back at the hotel in the mid-afternoon around 3 PM (depending what time you leave your camp in the morning).

$ 4,200

4 persons - $1950 per person
5 - 8 persons - $1750 per person
9 - 12 persons - $1700 per person

Book Tour

Costing is inclusive of:

Full Kilimanjaro briefing,

Park entrance fees,

Camping fees,

Rescue fees,

Park commission,

Kilimanjaro certificate,

Food for climbers (3 meals a day),

Salaries to the climbing crew (guide, porters and a cook),

Professional and experienced mountain guides

Professional and experience cooks

Radio and cell phone – communication that helps us to stay in contact within and outside the group.

Enough number of porters for your luggage, food, water and camping equipment’s

Costing is exclusive of:

International flights

Tanzania visa (approx. $50)

Medical and Travel insurance

Items of a personal nature

Gratitude/Tips

Tips for Lead guide (we recommend 40$-50$ per day

Tips for Chef and Assistant Guide (we recommend 25$-30$ per day

Tips for porters (we recommend 15$-20$ @ per day

porters (we recommend $80-120 per climber)

What To Bring With You?

1)Sleeping bag – Winter

2)Four Season Duvet Jacket

3)Waterproof layer for big bag

4)Rain covers for day pack

5) Dry sacs for wet gear

6)Sun hat/cap

7)Woolly hat/toque

8)Scarf

9) Balaclava

10)Sunglasses

11)Wet weather jacket

12)Wet weather trousers

13)Warm upper body layers

14)Thermals

15)Thick waterproof gloves

16)Thin gloves

17)Gaiters

18)Thick socks

19)Thin socks

20)Hiking boots-waterproof

21)Spare laces

22)Jogging shoes/flip flops

23)Walking poles

24)Water bottles – 2 to 3ltr

25)Water bladder

26)Iodine water purification tablets (optional)

27)Snacks

28)Protective Eye Goggles

29)Head torch/hand torch

30)Spare bulb, if needed

31)Spare batteries

32)Camera

33)Memory cards

34)Towel, i.e., quick dry type

35)Toiletries

36)Repellent (first day)

37)Face lotion

38)Lip balm

39)Sunscreen

40)Hand sanitizer

41)Wet wipes

42)Personal first aid kit.

Talk to our Expert

NORTHERN CIRCUIT

WESTERN CIRCUIT

SOUTHERN CIRCUIT

BEACH HOLIDAY

NORTHERN CIRCUIT

BEACH HOLIDAY

WESTERN CIRCUIT

SOUTHERN CIRCUIT

Overview

PRICE PER PERSON

Costing is inclusive of:

Costing is exclusive of:

info@monarchsafariguides.com

+255 767 319 494

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