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The Machame route is our most popular and successful route leading to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Hikers sleep in tents which are carried up the mountain by support crews. The Machame route is a very scenic and beautiful route, which can be completed in 6 days, however we strongly recommend hiking the route in 7 days, allowing for more time to acclimatise. The key to the success of the Machame route is its topography, allowing hikers to climb high and sleep low, helping towards better acclimatisation. There are however two drawbacks on this route:
Firstly hikers will need to pass an area just before the Shira ridge and hike the Barranco Wall, both of which are physically demanding and also present a potential problem for hikers with a fear of heights.
The second problem relates to the route’s high success rate, compounded by the fact that other routes join the Machame route from day 3 onwards – higher numbers of hikers can be therefore be encountered on this route.
The route utilises the Mweka route as a descend route.
Things You Need to Know Before Climbing Kilimanjaro
Interested in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro? Wondering what it is like to be on Africa’s highest peak? Here are important things you need to know before booking your Kilimanjaro Trekking.
After breakfast in the hotel drive from Moshi to Machame gate takes about 50 minutes. Through the villages of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. After reaching Machame gate they will be a session of registration before begin with your hiking through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge.
Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery during rainy season continue a short distance until you reach Machame Campsite dinner and overnight.
Machame gate 1,800Mt to Machame Campsite 3000Mt.
Distance: 11 km.
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours;
Habitat: Rain Forest
Breakfast served at 7:30Am after breakfast depart the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather and Moorland, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Leisure for rest, dinner overnight at the Shira campsite.
Machame Campsite 3000M to Shira Campsite 3840Mt Elevation
Distance: 7 km; Hiking Time: 4-5 hours.
Habitat: Heath and Moorland
Breakfast session take place at 7:30am Shira campsite depart to Barranco campsite continue east up a ridge via junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you walk, your direction change to the southeast towards Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after reaching the second junction which brings you near to Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4600Mt descent downhill to Barranco campsite at altitude of 3950Mt Although you end your day at the same elevation as you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and it will help you to prepare for the summit session.
Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp; Elevation 4600Mt.
Distance: 11 km; Hiking Time: 6-7 hours;
Habitat: Alpine Desert
From Barranco camp, you climb up through the edge of great Barranco Wall. It’s a tough morning climb on a steep trail, but once you reach the top, the views are spectacular. Dinner and overnight at Karanga Camp (4035m / 13238ft).
Leisure breakfast at Karanga Camp before you complete your ascent to the base campsite at Barafu campsite and hit the junction which connects with Mweka Trail after this point you only have 15-20Minutes to complete your hiking day. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offer views of the summit from many different angles. Your lunch will be save at this point following by afternoon leisure, rest, enjoy early dinner, and prepare for the summit session which take place at mid night right after the o’clock change.
The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this campsite..
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp;
Elevation 4600Mt
Distance: 4 km;
Hiking Time: 2-3-5 hours it a shorter day by no means easy hiking.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
In between end of you day 5 and changing in to day 6 at mid night -dress enough layers of the clothing ready to begin the final session to the summit.
You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy screen towards Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,747Mt.
This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella you will have a stop for a short rest will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see.
From Stella Point you have one hour to reaching the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
Faster hikers may see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit after Uhuru Peak session descent continuing straight downhill to Mweka Hut campsite you will take a short rest at Barafu for lunch before you departing to mweka campsite situated in the upper forest.
Your last dinner on the mountain will be save at late hours follow by well-earned sleep.
Barafu Camp to Uhuru peak 4,600Mt to 5,895Mt - 19,341ft.
Distance: Ascend to Uhuru pear 5Km Descent to Barafu Camp 5Km and from Barafu campsite to Mweka Campsite 11Km.
Hiking Time: 11-12 hours;
Habitat: Arctic Moorland and Forest
After your last breakfast on the mountain which save in the morning leave mweka camp descent downhill via rainy forest to Mweka gate at lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate our vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to a hotel in Moshi for hot shower and leisure dinner overnight.
Mweka Camp to–Mweka gate 3100Mt-1640Mt
Distance: 10 km; Hiking
Time: 3-4 hours;
Habitat: Rain Forest.
END OF TREKKING TOUR.
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Charlotte
If anyone is thinking to go to Tanzania and climb Kilimanjaro they should not hesitate to book their Kilimanjaro climb with Amazing Usambara Trekking! Ronaldo, the owner, knows everything about the mountain. He gives a reasonable price and doesn't pressure you, he wants you to make the right choice for you. Very professional team that took fantastic care of us on the mountain and enabled us to reach our goal of getting to the very top! We had the best two guides, Lodrick and Danson The best chef, Jeff the chef! The best waiter/ photographer Issac! And last but not least a fantastic team of 7 porters without whom non of it would have been possible. It really did exceed all of our expectations! We now feel like we have a family here in Tanzania!
Simon Wong
Amazing Usambara Trekking went above and beyond on our trek. They were able to accommodate our every need and more! Our guides Ferdinand and Gideon along with the team of porters took care of us and helped push us to make it to the top. Ronaldo helped plan our trip and provided us with all the information we needed making preparations super easy! They exceeded our expectations and we are very happy to have booked with Amazing Usambara Trekking.