Overview
On this trip, you will hike on the Machame Route with six (6) nights on the mountain before returning to Moshi.
Highlights
- Trekking on the slopes of the highest mountain in Africa
- Locations: Kilimanjaro
- Activities: Mountain Trekking
- DAY 1: Arrive Moshi
- DAY 2: Rest Day
- DAY 3: Moshi to Lake Manyara Game Drive
- DAY 4: Serengeti/Ndutu Game Drive
- DAY 5: Serengeti/Ndutu Game Drive
- DAY 6: Game Drive and Optional Cultural Visits
- DAY 7: Ngorongoro Crater game drive, drive to Moshi
- DAY 8: Hike Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- DAY 9: Hike Machame Camp to Shira Camp
- DAY 10: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- DAY 11: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
- DAY 12: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- DAY 13: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
- DAY 14: Mweka Camp to Moshi
- DAY 15: Rest Day
- DAY 16: Departure
Day 1 : Arrive Moshi
Visiting: Moshi
Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport, transfer to Moshi
- Meals:
- Standard Lodging: Bristol Cottages
Day 2 : Rest Day
Visiting: Moshi
Rest day – visit the open air market and coffee shops in Moshi or join an optional hike to the Materuni Waterfalls. You will have a briefing with your Kilimanjaro guide.
- Meals: B
- Standard Lodging: Bristol Cottages
Day 3 : Moshi to Lake Manyara Game Drive
Visiting: Lake Manyara
Drive 3-4 hours from Moshi to Lake Manyara, lunch enroute. Afternoon game drive in Lake Manyara.
- Meals: BLD
- Standard Lodging: Rhotia Valley Tented Camp or Endoro Lodge
Day 4 : Serengeti/Ndutu Game Drive
Visiting: Serengeti
Drive 3-4 hours to the Serengeti/Ndutu, afternoon game drive.
- Meals: BLD
- Standard Lodging: Serengeti Halisi Camp
Day 5 : Serengeti/Ndutu Game Drive
Visiting: Serengeti
Full day game drive in Serengeti/Ndutu in search of the migration. Optional hot air balloon safari this morning.
- Meals: BLD
- Standard Lodging: Serengeti Halisi Camp
Day 6 : Game Drive and Optional Cultural Visits
Visiting: Serengeti, Ngorongoro
Drive to Ngorongoro with game drive en route. Optional visits to the Olduvai Gorge and Maasai village.
- Meals: BLD
- Standard Lodging: Rhino Lodge
Day 7 : Ngorongoro Crater game drive, drive to Moshi
Visiting: Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater, half day game drive, drive to Moshi
- Meals: BL
- Standard Lodging: Bristol Cottages
Day 8 : Hike Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Visiting: Kilimanjaro
The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
- 1,830m to 3,100m / 6,000ft to 10,200ft
- Distance: 18km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Camping
Day 9 : Hike Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Visiting: Kilimanjaro
After breakfast, we leave 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, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
- 3,100m to 3,840m / 10,200ft to 12,600ft
- Distance: 9km
- Walking Time: 4-6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Camping
Day 10 : : Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Visiting: Kilimanjaro
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876m / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860m / 12,664 ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
- 3,840m to 4,630m to 3,860m / 12,600ft to 12,700ft
- Distance: 15 km
- Walking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Camping
Day 11 : Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Visiting: Kilimanjaro
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley (lunch at 4,200m / 13,779 ft), and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
- 3,860m to 4,200m / 12,700ft to 13,800ft
- Distance: 7 km
- Hiking Time: 4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Camping
Day 12 : Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Visiting: Kilimanjaro
We continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
- 4,200m to 4,600m / 13,800 ft to 15,100ft
- Distance: 6 km
- Hiking Time: 4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Camping
Day 13 : Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
Visiting: Kilimanjaro
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (5,685m / 18,652 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.
Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
- 4,600m to 5,895m (and down to 3,100m) / 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft)
- Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent
- Hiking Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
- Meals: BLD
- Budget Lodging: Camping
Day 14 : Mweka Camp to Moshi
Visiting: Kilimanjaro
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!
- Meals: BL
- Standard Lodging: Bristol Cottages
Day 15 : Rest Day
Visiting: Moshi
Rest day to prepare for the Kilimanjaro Marathon.
- Meals: B
- Standard Lodging: Bristol Cottages
Day 16 : Departure
Visiting: Moshi
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport, depart
- Meals: B
Prices Valid for Trips through March 15, 2016
| # People in Group: | Join aGroup |
| Mid-Range: | $4795 |
Notes:
- Save $50/person: When you book a Kilimanjaro trek AND a safari (minimum 5 days)
- Low Season: Discount $50/person in April, May, and November
