Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb - Machame Route

2012 Dates: best times are mid December through March and May through September

This 6 night trek to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa, follws the Machame Route. This route, also called the Whiskey Route is the most popular camping route by far.

Day 1 : Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Depart form Arusha, Tanzania with your guide. You drive 1.5 hours to the Machame Gate of Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park. After completion of entry formalities, you begin your trek by walking about one hour through the forest on 4x4 tracks. Then the trail continues up through the forest into the heater zone to your first overnight camp. Total trekking time is from 5-7 hours. At 3000m above sea level, Machame Camp is the first overnight stop on a Mt. Kilimanjaro climb up the Machame Route. The camp is located just above the forest zone, in the heather zone. On a clear day, there are views of the Shira Ridge and the summit it self.
Machame Camp — Includes: All meals

Day 2 : Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Wake up early for coffee and breakfast. Begin your steep trek through the savannah. As the clouds clear you should be able to see the Western Breach and perhaps the summit. You continue your trek up into the moorland zone. After 4-5 hours of climbing you reach your next overnight camp. Once out of the forest, take a steep track into a Savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. Ascend through the lush rolling hills below the Shira plateau, finally reaching camp at the edge of the plateau. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.
Shira Camp — Includes: All meals

Day 3 : Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
This morning you proceed steadily upward over the ridgelines of the high desert. You break for lunch at 4420m after about 4 hours. After lunch, continue past the Lava Tower and descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley to your camp. Total Trekking time is 6-7 hours today. At 3950m above sea level, Barranco Camp is the located in the Barranco Valley set on a flat area called a col. It is enclosed on three sides by steep valley walls and the Kibo massif. The area is home to some unique fauna, such as the Giant Lobelia.
Barranco Camp — Includes: All meals

Day 4 : Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
This day is used primarily for acclimatization which is very important in assuring climbers reach the summit. The overall elevation change today is minimal. You hike up the steep Barranco Wall, and then traverse up and down the slopes to Karanga Valley. You reach camp by lunch time after 3-4 hours of trekking. The rest of the day can be spent resting or taking short hikes from camp. At 3995m above sea level, Karanga Camp is in the Karanga Valley between Barranco and Barafu Camps.
Karanga Camp — Includes: All meals

Day 5 : Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Today the trekking becomes more difficult as the trail gets steeper and the temperature drops. The landscape becomes more spars as you trek to your next camp. Total trekking time is 4-5 hours today. You have the afternoon to and rest prepare for the long night ahead. Eat and drink as much as possible before retiring early to your tent for much needed sleep. Set on a small exposed flat area on a ridge is Barafu Camp at 4630m above sea level. This camp acts as a base camp form which you will make your summit attempt.
Barafu Camp — Includes: All meals

Day 6 : Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
A midnight wake up call will start your long day. After a hot drink you begin your final ascent winding through a path of seemingly endless switchbacks in the shadow of the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers. At dawn, after around 6 hours of trekking you reach the edge of the crater at Stella Point (5790m above sea level), which is the end of the steep track. From here you trek about one hour further on a gentle slope upward to Uhuru Peak and the summit. After a short time at the summit descend back to Barafu Camp for some rest, then trek further down the mountain to your camp for the night. Total trekking time is 12-17 hours. Mweka Camp is at 3110m above sea level. After reaching the summit, climbers make their way down the mountain and stay at Mweka Camp for their final night on Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Mweka Camp — Includes: All meals

Day 7 : Depart
You made it! Descend 2-3 hours to the Machame gate where you will have lunch and receive your climbing certificate.

Included:

• Experienced local guides
• Meals and details as listed in itinerary