Mount Kilimanjaro with High Safari, 7 Day Machame Route
Day 1 Machame Village to Machame Camp.
After a relaxing evening in your base hotel and a suitable large breakfast, we will meet your Chief Mountain Guide, we are not allowed in the Kilimanjaro National Park without a qualified guide, depending on the size of our group he may have an assistant.
We load all our personal equipment onto the Land Rovers for the short drive to Machame village. Here in the small village you will meet our Porters and Cooks who will be our companions for the next 7 days.
Starting from a clearing in the centre of Machame village, your route takes you due North up the Southern slopes of the Mount Kilimanjaro massife towards the National Park and eventually the summit, Uhuru Peak 5896m.
| Initally we walk past cultivated fields ofcoffee and banana where young barefoot children stare at your strange clothes and stranger rucksacks. | |
After a few formalities dealt with by your Party Leader and Chief Guide enter the Kilimanjaro National Park and into the dark, cool, humid world of the Tropical Montane forest, the Porters carrying your personal equipment on their heads winding along the path ahead of you into the gloom.
| That first night, camp at 3000m in an area of giant heathers, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro just visible beyond the foothills. |  |
Day 2 Machame Camp to Shira Plateau Camp
After a cooked breakfast you are soon walking above the tree line, the mists in the deep valley to each side evaporating in the morning sun. Spectacular views to the West of the Shira Plateau, it is at this point that you start to realise the truely grand scale of not just this wonderful Continent but also of the Kilimanjaro massife.
On arrival at the second camp the tents are waiting as well as flasks of hot tea and coffee.
| Spend the rest of the day around the camp and enjoy the stunning views of the whole Kibo dome. |  |
As night closes in the clear air revels a sky of countless stars, this is your camp for the next 2 nights, Shira Plateau, 3840m.
Day 3 Rest Day at Shira
The views of the Kilimanjaro dome, known as Kibo peak are stunning in the clear morning air.
A frost on the ground after night temperatures of -5 Centigrade.
You now know that you are experiencing the adventure of a lifetime.
To aid the body acclimatise day 3 is spent at rest, walk with the guides further up towards Kibo dome or to the Shira Cathedral Spires and needles to the West.
Return to camp early afternoon to rest and gaze in wonder at the route ahead and to the South over the Massi Steppe.
Day 4 Shira Plateau to Barrenco Valley
More altitude and lots more breathtaking scenery.
The sheer scale of Kibo dome, rising to your left as you skirt its Southern slopes has to be experienced to be believed.
| The sheer scale of Kibo dome, rising to your left as you skirt its Southern slopes has to be experienced to be believed. |  |
After ascending to about 4400m during the day you decend into The Great Barrenco Valley to camp at 3950m, the chill wind coming off Kibo dome and the ice cap above, drives you into tent at sunset after a last glance at tomorrows challenge.
Day 5 Great Barrenco Valley to Barafu Camp
Another day of spectacular views and bright sunshine, for the last 2 days you have been walking above the cloud level.
Walking for about 7 to 9 hours brings you to the final camp, here you have an early meal then straight to bed for as much rest as posssible before the summit attempt.
Barafu Camp is perched on the edge of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kilimanjaro, at 4600m it is still 1300m to the summit and Uhuru Peak.
Day 6 Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Mweka Hut Camp
After a short sleep the Chief Guide and Trek Leader will wake you at about 11.00 pm on Day 5 for the 6 to7 hour trek to Uhuru Peak, this has been your aim for the last 5 days of trekking and possibly months of planning, to stand atop Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro.
Walking very slowly and steadily the Guides will set a pace which everybody will be comfortable with.
Reach the Crater rim at daybreak and see the sun rising to the East over Mawenzi Peak, after a further 45 minutes walk along the crater rim you will be on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
When ready the Guides will escort you down the Mountain, past Barafu Camp and onto the Camp for the night, set at the upper limits of the giant heathers.
Rest by the camp fire and perhaps enjoy the Porters singing traditional songs dedicated to the Gods of the Mountain.
Day 7 Mweka Hut to Base Hotel
Up and after a hearty breakfast brought to your tent by the porters its back down through the forest to the National Park Gate. and the very welcome sight of the Land Rovers waiting to take you back to the base Hotel where a shower and a long cool drink are the first essentials.
| Up and after a hearty breakfast brought to your tent by the porters its back down through the forest to the National Park Gate. | |
Spend the evening reminicing with your friends about the experience of the last 7 days, a fond farewell to your Guides and look forward to the rest of your personalised tour of East Africa.