Tanzania Safaris: KILIMANJARO CLIMB/MACHAME ROUTE

ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

ITINERARY DETAILS

Day 1 Moshi
Arrival at your hotel. If you need to hire any extra gear, advise the hotel this evening. Re-Pack your bag carefully for the climb - remember the weight limit of 12kg. Dinner and overnight at Ameg Lodge (DBB)

Day 2 Machame
Driven to Park Gate (approx one hour) where you will meet your guide and porters. The guide has an amount of paperwork to do at the gate, as well as organizing the porters - these things take time (African time!) - enjoy the scenery. The larger the group, the longer it will take - be prepared to wait for anything from 1 - 2 hours. A five-hour walk through the spectacular forest will bring you to Machame Hut at 3000 m. You will encounter some steep parts on the climb - but generally its not too strenuous. The porters walk ahead and sometimes with you - make sure every day, that you have all your personal gear needed with you, as you will not have access to your bag. The porters will set up Camp and the guide will prepare your meals. Conditions are difficult on this route, and your guide / porters will do everything they can to make your climb pleasant and as comfortable as possible. Dinner and overnight at Machame Hut (LDBB)

Day 3 Shira
Ascend to Shira Hut, 3 800 m. A short descent from Machame Hut followed by an hour or so of hard uphill to the top of the forest, then 2 hours at a more gentle angle through the lower moorlands brings one to the top of a rocky bluff. Lunch is normally taken here. From here, descend 50 ft then start traversing westwards, up towards Shira Cathedral. The last sections of this route is relatively flat and easy - but once again, take it very slowly. Dinner and overnight at Shira Hut (LDBB)

Day 4 Barranco
From Shira you will set off to Barranco (3 900 m), skirting just below Lava Tower - you are now walking at approx altitude of 4 000 m, around the southern side of the mountain. A few steep sections and valleys, a small section of screen and rock, some sand 'dunes' - it's a long and fairly tiring day. This is part of your acclimatization - walking in height from 3 800 m up to 4 800 m, and then overnight at 3 900 m. Night temperature - cold (night frosts). Dinner and overnight at Barranco Hut (LDBB)

Day 5 Barafu
Continue from Barranco across and up towards Barafu Hut (4 600 m). Today you will cross the Barranco Wall - it's a climb over rock - not technical, but tiring and hard/long - ending up in the valley for lunch. After lunch you start to ascend - to Barafu - again you will probably get more headaches / nausea, some sections of sand/screen. It's a long day - your guide will set the pace. You will be walking through the cloud. After supper, drink as much tea as possible; settle down for an early night. Dinner and overnight at Barafu Hut (LDBB)

Day 6 Mweka
Today is a very long and strenuous day. You will be woken at about 00h30 or 01h00 with tea and a biscuit. Put on all your clothing ready for the final ascent.

You will be climbing up screen for approximately 4-5 hours. The guide will stop frequently to rest and check on his group. The views from the mountain (on the way up) are spectacular - you gain incredible height over a short distance. You arrive at Stella Point (5 750 m), just at the top of the crater, have a rest - the sun should be shining! From here continue on a relatively easy path up to Uhuru peak (5 895 m), the highest point in Africa. Reaching the summit there will be a certain thrill amongst the group.

You will descend from Stella to Barafu. Depending on the timing of your summit, you will be able to have a short rest here (maybe a sleep) and something to eat, before continuing down the Mweka Route, which has recently re-opened after extensive re-furbishing being done by National Parks. You will travel down quickly on the screen taking in more oxygen, step by step. This is a long descent. Arrival at Mweka (3 100 m), late afternoon, on the edge of the rainforest, overnight camping. Time to reflect on the day's achievements. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Hut (LDBB)

Day 7 Moshi
A three to four hour pretty descent through the rainforest to the Park Gate, where the vehicle will meet you. There are generally beers and cokes for sale at the park gate. Transfer by vehicle to the Hotel in Moshi. Dinner and overnight at Ameg Lodge (DBB)

Day 8 Departure
Breakfast at your hotel. Depending with the mode of transfer and time, you will be picked from your hotel and transfer to your respective destinations.

The Package Includes:
2 Nights at Ameg Lodge
1 Night at Machame Hut
1 Night at Shira Hut
1 Night at Barranco Hut
1 Night at Barafu Hut
1 Night at Mweka Hut

The Package Excludes:
All International Flights + Taxes
Visas
Travel & Personal accident insurance
Tips & personal expenses such as telephone calls...etc.
Excursions not detailed in above program

Added Value:
Complimentary 188 page VA Safari Guide covering the whole of East Africa
Complimentary VA Safari Pouch with a pen
Complimentary VA Hat

Health Requirements
All climbers MUST be in top physical condition, as this is a rigorous physical climb requiring strength and endurance. Please note you will need a Yellow Fever Inoculation, this must be done no later than 10 days prior to departure. If you have had any previous history of Liver Disorders you must consult your physician first. Malaria prophylactics are a must.

Tips
These are considered to be compulsory for all attempting Kilimanjaro, it has become a tradition! Please budget at least USD100 for this ten-day camping hike - per guest - which gets split across the group. Old clothing is also appreciated!

Travel Insurance
Please ensure you have sufficient Medical Cover for the duration of your trip and in particular to cover you while doing the Kilimanjaro Climb.